Al Sharpton and Target CEO Meet Over DEI Controversy and Mounting Boycotts
With corporate DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion) programs under political and public scrutiny, Rev. Al Sharpton met with Target CEO Brian Cornell on Thursday in New York to discuss the retailer’s decision to scale back its DEI commitments. The meeting took place at the headquarters of Sharpton’s organization, National Action Network (NAN), alongside NAN board chair Dr. W Franklyn Richardson and senior adviser Carra Wallace.
While Sharpton didn’t initially call for a boycott, he supported existing efforts led by activists and suggested he might take further action depending on the outcome of this meeting.
Target Faces Pressure Over Abandoning DEI Commitments
Earlier this year, Minneapolis-based Target quietly walked back several of its DEI programs, sparking calls for economic protest from Minnesota-based activists. The backlash forms part of a larger trend as major companies—including Amazon, Walmart, and McDonald’s—have also faced consumer pushback for softening their diversity pledges.
According to a March public opinion poll, 1 in 5 Americans said they plan to permanently boycott companies that shifted their inclusion policies to align with the priorities of the Trump administration.
A “Constructive and Candid” Conversation, But No Concrete Outcomes Yet
Sharpton described the Thursday meeting as “very constructive and candid” in a statement posted to Instagram but provided no specific details about what was discussed or agreed upon. NAN has not yet released an official statement, and Target has remained largely silent in the aftermath of the meeting.
Sharpton also said he would inform Rev. Dr. Jamal Bryant, who previously called for a 40-day boycott of Target during Lent, about how the conversation unfolded. From there, they’ll “go from there,” Sharpton added.
Criticism from Grassroots Organizers
Not everyone is convinced Sharpton should be the one leading the charge.
Nekima Levy Armstrong, a Twin Cities-based activist who helped organize the original Target boycott, questioned Cornell’s decision to meet with the civil rights leader.
“It’s unclear to us… why Target CEO Brian Cornell would call for a meeting with the Reverend Al Sharpton given the fact that Sharpton has absolutely zero involvement in the Target boycott,” Armstrong told the Minnesota Star Tribune.
Meanwhile, The People’s Union USA, another group leading boycott efforts, has continued its call for a three-day economic blackout of big box retailers, including Target, from April 18–20.
Unbiased Opinion: Corporate DEI is Being Tested—But So Is Accountability
This moment reflects a broader identity crisis for corporate America: do public commitments to diversity hold up when met with political or economic pressure?
While Target’s leadership may view the meeting with Sharpton as a chance to ease tensions, the disconnect with local activists reveals a deeper concern—who speaks for whom, and how authentic corporate accountability really is.
As the backlash against DEI rollbacks continues to grow, this issue is no longer about one brand’s decision—it’s about whether corporate values are performative or principled. And in that debate, public trust—not just profit—is on the line.
