Prominent corporations are reassessing or halting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives that gained traction across the corporate landscape in the aftermath of George Floyd’s tragic death in 2020. As a result of a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that abolished affirmative action in college admissions, conservative groups have increasingly targeted workplace programs, which encompass corporate sponsorships, employee-led affinity groups, and recruitment strategies aimed at supporting historically marginalized demographics.
DEI initiatives were typically established to combat discrimination, but critics argue that programs focusing on race, gender, and sexual orientation create unfair advantages and that opportunities should be universally accessible. Here are some notable companies that have scaled back their DEI strategies:
**Target**
Target recently announced adjustments to its “Belonging at the Bullseye” initiative, indicating the discontinuation of a program intended to support Black employees, enhance the experiences of Black shoppers, and promote Black-owned businesses in light of George Floyd’s death. With nearly 2,000 stores and over 400,000 employees, Target plans to end the cyclical DEI goals related to hiring and promotions aimed at women and racial minorities, as well as the recruitment of diverse suppliers. Additionally, Target announced it would not participate in surveys measuring the effectiveness of DEI actions, including an annual index from the Human Rights Campaign (HRC). The company also noted it would conduct evaluations of corporate partnerships, although specifics were not provided.
**Meta Platforms**
The parent company of Facebook and Instagram has decided to eliminate its DEI program, which encompassed hiring processes and vendor selection policies. Following a review initiated after the Supreme Court’s July 2023 affirmative action ruling, Meta’s internal memo indicated a significant change in judicial attitudes toward DEI. The firm will no longer maintain a dedicated team for diversity efforts but will instead prioritize fair practices for all employees, moving away from its previous diverse hiring slate method. The new direction was articulated by Meta’s global policy chief, who stressed the importance of talent over demographics in hiring practices.
**Amazon**
Amazon announced a pause on several DEI initiatives, although specifics were not disclosed. In a memo, Candi Castleberry, a senior HR executive, indicated that the company intends to phase out outdated programs by the end of 2024. Amazon is shifting its focus towards initiatives with demonstrable success rates rather than supporting individual groups developing their own initiatives.
**McDonald’s**
After four years dedicated to enhancing workforce diversity, McDonald’s recently decided to cease some diversity initiatives following the Supreme Court ruling. The chain will eliminate select diversity goals for senior leadership roles and pause programs encouraging suppliers to enhance diversity training. McDonald’s did not offer further details but indicated that external surveys would also be suspended, aligning with similar actions taken by other companies regarding workplace inclusion measurement. Nonetheless, McDonald’s maintains its commitment to diversity as a strategic advantage.
**Walmart**
Walmart disclosed in November that it would not renew a five-year commitment to a racial equity center established after George Floyd’s death. The retail giant will stop its involvement with the HRC’s Corporate Equality Index and will ensure close oversight of third-party marketplace items, particularly those marketed to LGBTQ+ minors. Additionally, Walmart will refrain from using race and gender as criteria for supplier contracts and will not collect demographic data for financial eligibility determinations.
**Ford**
Ford’s CEO Jim Farley informed employees in August of modifications to DEI policies, including withdrawing from the HRC’s Corporate Equality Index. The automaker, having reviewed its initiatives over the past year, stated it does not employ hiring quotas nor link compensation to specific diversity metrics. Instead, Ford emphasizes creating a welcoming workplace environment.
**Lowe’s**
Following the Supreme Court’s ruling, Lowe’s leadership announced in August that it was reviewing its diversity programs, opting to consolidate employee resource groups. The company also withdrew from participating in the HRC index and will cease sponsorship of events outside its primary business interests.
**Harley-Davidson**
In August, Harley-Davidson outlined its plans to evaluate all affiliations and sponsorships, requiring centralized approval to align with a focus on promoting motorcycling and its community. The motorcycle manufacturer will no longer engage in the HRC workplace equality rankings and will ensure that its training efforts are relevant to business needs, without any socially focused content.
**Brown-Forman**
The parent company of Jack Daniels, Brown-Forman, announced its exit from the HRC’s Corporate Equality Index, noting the evolution of its business environment and an altered legal landscape since launching its diversity strategy in 2019. The decision involves removing specific diversity ambitions tied to workforce and suppliers. Nonetheless, the company maintains its commitment to an inclusive work environment where all employees feel welcomed.
**John Deere**
In July, John Deere declared it would not sponsor “social or cultural awareness” events and would assess training materials to eliminate messages of a social nature, ensuring compliance with applicable laws. The company clarified that diversity quotas and pronoun identification are not part of its policy, although it will continue to monitor diversity dynamics within the company.
**Tractor Supply**
In June, Tractor Supply announced it would be discontinuing several DEI and climate-related initiatives in response to conservative backlash online. The retailer plans to abolish DEI-focused roles and initiatives, halting sponsorship of non-business events, including Pride celebrations, and withdraw from carbon emission targets, instead concentrating on land and water conservation. Following these announcements, there were calls from the National Black Farmers Association for the company’s leadership to reconsider its direction.
