What is DEI? Walmart’s newest company reverses policy

On By Pranco

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Walmart is backtracking on more than just prices.

The national store announced that it plans not to renew its diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives in the coming year and that it will no longer participate in a LGBTQ+ advocacy group’s annual benchmark index the Human Rights Campaign. Walmart created its DEI initiative after the 2020 killing of George Floyd, when many companies pledged to make their workforces and leadership better reflect the diverse communities they serve.

The retail giant is the latest national company to do so getting back to those DEI initiative programs in the past year, as conservative groups and agendas gained the upper hand in the United States.

Here’s a look at what’s happening with the retail giant and how a conservative activist from Tennessee says he’s involved.

Why is Walmart rolling back DEI initiatives? Does it have to do with Robby Starbuck?

Conservative activist and Tennessean Robby Starbuck claims Walmart’s policy change comes after he warned the company last week that he was working on a report on “wokeness.” According to Starbuck, the company then had “productive conversations” to implement changes.

“Removing the wokeness at Walmart has both downstream effects on suppliers and it sets the tone for corporate America,” Starbuck told USA TODAY. “Changing normal corporate policy at a company valued at nearly $1 trillion is a monumental feat that many have tried to achieve, but so far no one has actually succeeded.”

Walmart, on the other hand, stated that Starbuck’s warning was not the catalyst for any change, but that the company had been looking to make DEI changes for a few years. The company stated that it had already changed its terminology from DEI to belonging and made changes to its supplier diversity program.

“We have been on a journey and know we are not perfect, but every decision comes from a desire to foster a sense of belonging, open doors of opportunity for all of our associates, customers and suppliers, and be a Walmart for all” , the company said in an emailed statement.

What does DEI mean?

Diversity, equity, and inclusion refer to organizational frameworks that aim to promote “the fair treatment and full participation of all people,” especially groups “historically underrepresented or victims of discrimination.”

In short, DEI programs create a place where everyone is welcome, supported, and empowered to succeed, regardless of identity, race, or orientation.

When did companies, organizations, and schools start DEI initiatives?

In 2020 and 2021, diversity policies and programs were rushed into place amid the nation’s racial reckoning. But these are not new or radical ideas.

According to the Ministry of Labor, affirmative action and equal employment laws were introduced in the mid-1960s, following the introduction of equal employment and affirmative action laws in the workplace. These laws have also prompted companies to develop diversity training programs designed to help employees adapt to working in increasingly integrated office environments.

Who is Robby Starbuck?

The 36-year-old conservative has taken credit for changes to DEI programs at multiple companies, such as Harley DavidsonFord and Lowe’s after pressuring them with the reports.

But before his days as a conservative movement and social media influencer, he worked as a director and producer of music videos and commercials. He also lived in California until 2019, when he moved to Tennessee. Starbucks also had one failed run for Congress in 2022.

Starbuck has used social media to tell consumers about corporate “wokeness.”

“My goal in this messaging is never destruction. My goal is to educate consumers about the values ​​that major corporations adopt so they can make choices about what they are willing to support,” Starbuck wrote in his post about Harley-Davison on X .

What is the future of DEI in America?

While some major companies are bowing to pressure to change their DEI initiatives, others aren’t going anywhere, but given the political climate, keeping these programs alive won’t be easy.

A survey by business research group The Conference Board found that more than 60% of business leaders surveyed view the current political climate for corporate DEI as very or extremely challenging, and most expect continued or escalating pushback. A backlash is expected, but companies have no plans to scale back initiatives that started taking shape four years ago.

Less than 10% of organizations planned to scale back their DEI commitments over the next three years, according to data analysis from USA TODAY.

USA TODAY and Jordan Green contributed to this report.