Consumer boycotts are targeting day retreats. Are they working? What we know.
Consumer boycotts target companies like Amazon and Target. This is what we know.
Target has donated $300,000 to the National Baptist Convention, and two independent leaders of the boycott of retailers are asking church organizations to return the gift.
In separate comments, Nekimalevy Armstrong, a Minnesota activist who launched the Target Boycott on February 1, and Nekimalevy Armstrong, who encouraged members of the Blackface community to boycott for 40 days and now encouraged permanently to leave retailers, said they are accepting in response to their opposition to efforts by the Black Church organization.
Both boycotts correspond to what Levy Armstrong and Bryant say is an effort to bring the target back to the Black community when they rewind their diversity, equity and inclusive efforts.
What was the $300,000 donation from Target?
A Target spokesman provided USA Today when asked about the donation. “We are proud to sponsor the NBCUSA conference series as one of many ways to invest in making a meaningful impact on communities across the country by supporting access to education, economic development initiatives and entrepreneurship programs.”
The National Black Convention did not reply to email and telephone inquiries from USA Today, nor did it seek comment on the donation and the call for its return.
However, in a press release provided to other media, Boisekimber of the National Black Convention said the partnership is “based on a shared commitment to community empowerment through small business and entrepreneurial development, investment in education and student support, and workforce and skill development that unleash the growth of the entire community.”
Kimber said the donation will help church organizations “providing scholarships, supporting seniors, and investing in entrepreneurship programs that will enhance our people and futures.
Blackface Leader refuses donation and asks for return
During Sunday’s sermon at his new birth missionary Baptist Church in Stonecrest, Georgia on June 22, Bryant denounced his contribution to Target’s National Baptist Conference.
He accused Target, whom the CEO met with Bryant and Pastor Al Sharpton in April, of “turning” him to the National Baptist Convention.
“Are you crazy to think we’ll sell out for a Champ change?” Bryant said.
In an interview with USA Today, Bryant said the targeted donation to the National Baptist Treaty, which Bryant said is not affiliated with his church, is actually four donations of $75,000 to the Black Church organization that the National Baptist Treaty received and split.
“It’s really a slap in the face and a shame,” Bryant said of donations and the National Baptist Treaty accepting money. Bryant asked to return the money to the target.
As part of the Target boycott, Bryant made four requests, including honoring the $2 billion pledge to the black business community that Target had previously implemented, with investments in black-owned products, services and black media. Bryant has also called for retailers to invest in black-owned banks, establish retail centers at historically black universities and universities, and fully recover the DEI initiative.
“The dark eyes for us are that they (the National Baptist Convention) left with nothing we wanted,” Bryant said.
Target previously issued a statement on May 28th in response to Bryant’s Target Blackout and Request.
“Target is absolutely committed to promoting inclusiveness for everyone, including team members, guests, supply partners and more. “In the last five years, we are committed to investing in $2 billion in black businesses and brands within five years. Over the past five years, we have committed $2 billion in black companies and brands. We have invested $100 million in black universities (HBCU) support students. We have invested $100 million in black communities organizations, which have driven our careers by giving scholarships to over 30,000 members of our team. We have committed 5% of our profits to the communities we run. We have volunteered for millions of hours to organisations across the country, creating meaningful opportunities for team members to flourish both personally and professionally.”
Community Organizers have issues with donations and Bryant
In another open letter sent to the National Baptist Treaty and shared with USA Today, Levy Armstrong, the founder of the Racial Justice Network, urged the church group to “rethink about alliances with businesses that have caused such profound harm.”
“This $300,000 payment will not heal. It will deepen the wounds. It appears to be an attempt to regain the trust of black consumers without silence and accountability,” the letter states.
The letter was signed by Monique Cullars-Doty, co-founder of Black Life Matter Minnesota, and Jaylani Hussein, executive director of Cair-Minesota (Minnesota Council on America and Islamic Relations).
The letter also said he was aware of the Target Boycott that began on February 1st and expressed interest in taking part in the effort, and had problems with Bryant. However, afterwards, Bryant repackaged the work as his own, creating another campaign, erasing the women’s work. The woman said it reflects a long and painful history of black female organizers being pushed aside.
Bryant told USA Today, in honor of Levy Armstrong, noting that he did not start a target boycott from the start. ”
“My focus was to match the black church because it wasn’t involved or involved,” he said. “Anywhere from the rooftop, we weren’t the founder of it, but we were going to bring out the Black Church together.”
Betty Lin-Fisher is a consumer reporter for USA Today. Contact her at blinfisher @usatoday.com or follow her on X, Facebook, or Instagram @Blinfisher, @Blinfisher.bsky.social.. Sign up for our free daily money newsletter. This includes Friday’s Consumer News.
