Georgia pastor calls for a Target boycott after retailer scales back DEI programs

A Georgia pastor is calling for a nationwide boycott on a major U.S. retailer

The calls for shoppers to put their wallets away stems from Target scaling back its diversity, equity and inclusion programs

Jamal Bryant serves as a reverend at the new missionary Baptist church in Atlanta

In announcing the full boycott, he says, We believe that Target CEO Brian Cornell remains unaware of the betrayal felt by our communities due to his company's decision to cower to the Trump administration

Adding diverse, equitable and inclusive work environment should be the hallmark of any company and or government

It should be a source of pride. Reverend Bryant kicked off a 40 day Target fast coinciding with the start of Lent on March 5th

According to a press release, Target's deadline to show compromise was Easter Sunday

but it came and went without any real change. Brian and other faith leaders are leading the call for action through the organization Strike for All

The goal was to put pressure on the company to reinstate its DEI program and give Target time to make it right

Target previously invested in supporting black employees and customers, even giving million towards social justice initiatives and giving back to the community But Bryant says those promises were empty and he blames political pressure Faith leaders point to a 180 shift after President Donald Trump returned

to the White House and began dismantling DEI initiatives on a federal level, a move they say

led companies like Target to pull back on progress. In a statement to the Associated Press, Target says

they remain committed to everyone, explaining its core to how we support and grow our business

Target said we remain focused on supporting organizations and creating opportunities for people in the 2000 communities where we live and operate

Strike for All officially launched a boycott on February 1st. Since then, organizers claim Target's stock has dropped 30 percent and store traffic has dropped for 10 straight weeks

But there's no proof that the boycott caused Target's stock to drop, which also coincided with a market-wide loss in value due to uncertainty over the president's tariffs

Reverend Bryan and other national boycott leaders are calling on Target to not only bring back its previous DEI policies, but to take action by pledging funding for black-owned businesses and banks

For Straight Arrow News, I'm Kaylee Carey. For more fact-based, unbiased stories, download the Straight Arrow News mobile app or head to san.com