New York, NY – Walmart, the largest private employer in the United States, has decided to scale back some of its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts. The move comes as the company faces pressure from right-wing groups, following a trend of companies reevaluating diversity initiatives.
On Monday, Walmart announced that it will discontinue racial equity training programs for its staff and reassess programs aimed at increasing supplier diversity. Over the years, Walmart has made efforts to increase the number of suppliers that are majority-owned by women, minorities, veterans, or LGBTQ individuals.
In addition to ending certain programs, Walmart is also scrutinizing its funding of Pride and other events. The company is monitoring its online marketplace to remove products that promote sexuality or gender identity to children. Furthermore, Walmart will not be extending its Center for Racial Equity, a philanthropic commitment of $100 million over five years, which was established in 2020 to address disparities in outcomes among African Americans in areas such as education, health, and criminal justice.
Walmart stated, “We are open to evolving along with our employees and customers who reflect the diversity of America. While we recognize that we are not flawless, we make decisions with the intention of creating a sense of inclusion.”
Conservative activist Robby Starbuck claimed credit for influencing Walmart’s decision to change its DEI programs, stating that he had engaged with the company regarding its policies. Starbuck, a former music video director turned activist, has been vocal online in his opposition to corporations’ diversity initiatives and other progressive causes.
This shift by Walmart aligns with similar actions taken by companies like Harley-Davidson, Tractor Supply Co., and John Deere, who have also revised or scaled back their DEI programs, support for LGBTQ events, and initiatives related to climate change, among other social policies. The changes highlight the ongoing debate surrounding diversity efforts within the corporate world and the influence of various political pressures on business decisions.