Target is the latest company to roll back some DEI programs

New York CNN — Target is joining a wave of US companies pulling back on diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, as right-wing pressure leads companies to alter their commitment to hiring diverse candidates and expanding access. In 2022, the company said that those goals included ensuring “equitable access to career advancement” and “equitable business decisions that increase relevance with diverse guests and support economic inclusivity.” Target had also committed in 2020 to expand Black representation at the company by 20%. And it is “further evaluating” corporate partnerships and changing its “supplier diversity” team to “supplier engagement.” How significant these changes are and the impact they will have is not fully clear, and Target said that it remained committed to creating a “sense of belonging” for its employees and customers “through a commitment to inclusion.” “We recruit and retain team members who represent the communities we serve and fuel a culture where everyone has access to opportunity and growth,” Target said in the statement. “As a retailer that serves millions of consumers every day, we understand the importance of staying in step with the evolving external landscape, now and in the future,” Kiera Fernandez, executive vice president and chief community impact and equity officer, said in a note to Target staff. “Among other things, a diverse group of employees helps bring originality and creativity to our merchandise offerings, promoting the ‘treasure hunt’ that our customers value,” Costco said in its proxy statement to investors.