The NAACP released a spending guide for Black Americans, listing companies that have eliminated or maintained their DEI initiatives. The guide aims to empower consumers amidst recent boycotts against companies reducing DEI efforts. It emphasizes the economic power of Black consumers, projected to reach $1.7 trillion by 2030, and underscores the necessity for businesses to support diversity to remain relevant.
The NAACP has introduced a new spending guide aimed at Black Americans, detailing companies that have maintained or abandoned their diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. This guide emerges amidst a wave of boycotts targeting brands that have shifted away from their DEI commitments, a movement catalyzed by the events surrounding the Black Lives Matter protests in 2020. It serves to empower consumers in making informed purchasing decisions.
The NAACP’s guide highlights the specific companies that have dismantled their DEI programs, including those that have eliminated DEI departments or roles, as well as those that have regressed in their support for diverse supplier contracts and staffing diversity goals. Additionally, it reveals companies that have reduced investments in Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). This transparency emphasizes the influence of Black consumer spending in the marketplace.
Derrick Johnson, NAACP President, emphasized the importance of diversity for business performance, stating, “Diversity is better for the bottom line.” He noted that companies that reject the multicultural landscape of business may find themselves out of touch with modern consumerism. The guide is strategically designed to enhance accountability among businesses towards the Black consumer demographic.
As the guide gains traction online, the NAACP is engaging with prominent companies such as Walmart, Amazon, and McDonald’s to address their DEI strategies and the negative impact on relationships with Black consumers. It has also prompted discussions with Target, a company that has faced backlash leading to calls for boycotts. Conversely, businesses like Costco and Ben & Jerry’s are commended for their steadfast commitment to DEI practices.
The NAACP’s initiative highlights that Black Americans possess significant economic power, projected to reach $1.7 trillion by 2030, suggesting that corporations must align their practices with this demographic’s values to retain their patronage. Johnson concluded, “If corporations want our dollars, they better be ready to do the right thing.”
In summary, the NAACP’s spending guide serves as a valuable resource for Black consumers, shedding light on the companies’ commitment to DEI initiatives. By holding corporations accountable, it leverages Black Americans’ economic power to encourage responsible business practices that support diversity and equity. This initiative underscores the importance of conscious consumerism in amplifying the call for social justice and corporate accountability.
Original Source: www.blackenterprise.com
Leave a Reply