Target CEO, rushes to meet with Rev. Al Sharpton over Target Boycott

On April 17, 2025, Target CEO Brian Cornell met with Rev. Al Sharpton at the National Action Network (NAN) headquarters in NYC to discuss the company’s controversial decision to scale back its Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs. Sharpton described the sit-down as “very constructive and candid” and said he plans to consult with allies—most notably Rev. Dr. Jamal Bryant—before deciding on next steps.

Rev. Bryant, the Atlanta-based pastor, launched the “Target Fast”—a 40-day boycott that kicked off on March 5, 2025, aligning with Lent. The protest directly called out Target’s abandonment of initiatives aimed at boosting Black employee representation and supporting Black-owned businesses, urging consumers to shift their dollars toward those very communities.

The meeting itself was prompted by a sharp dip in sales and customer traffic, showing that Black consumer power is not only real—it’s measurable. While Sharpton hasn’t called for a formal boycott (yet), he made it clear that one could be on the horizon if Target doesn’t recommit to the communities it once pledged to uplift.