Daughters of Target’s Late Cofounder Urge Action Against DEI Retreat in Company

"Daughters of Target Cofounder Call for Action Against DEI Retreat"

Daughters of Target's cofounder criticize the company's rollback of diversity initiatives, expressing concern about succumbing to political pressure and undermining core values.

Rachel Patel15 February 2025Last Update : 4 days ago

Daughters of Target's late cofounder raise concern over company's pullback on DEI efforts

apnews.com

On February 15, 2025, the daughters of Bruce Dayton, a cofounder of Target, expressed their concerns regarding the company’s recent decision to roll back its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. Their letters, published in The Financial Times and the Los Angeles Times, criticized Target for yielding to political pressures and abandoning its foundational principles of community well-being.

6 Key Takeaways

Target's DEI initiatives face significant rollback.
Daughters of cofounder express alarm publicly.
Bruce Dayton's legacy emphasized community focus.
Target ending programs supporting Black employees.
Other major brands reducing DEI commitments.
Business community criticized for yielding to pressure.

Fast Answer: The daughters of Target’s cofounder Bruce Dayton criticized the company’s rollback of DEI initiatives in letters published on February 15, 2025. They expressed alarm at the business community’s response to political pressures and emphasized the importance of ethical business standards.

The Dayton sisters, Anne and Lucy, highlighted their father’s legacy of building Target on principles that prioritize customer focus and community welfare. They noted that Bruce Dayton, who passed away in 2015, would have opposed the current trend of companies retracting DEI commitments under political pressure. The sisters stated, “It is not ‘illegal’ for a company to create a business model based on what it believes to be important ethical and business standards.”

In late January, Target announced changes to its “Belonging at the Bullseye” strategy, which included the termination of a program aimed at supporting Black employees and businesses. The company, which operates nearly 2,000 stores and employs over 400,000 people, indicated that the program was already scheduled for discontinuation this year. Additionally, Target plans to end its DEI goals that were previously set in three-year cycles.

Target is not alone in this shift; other major brands such as Walmart, McDonald’s, Ford, Goldman Sachs, and John Deere have also reduced or phased out their DEI commitments recently. This trend raises concerns about the long-term implications for corporate responsibility and community engagement in the retail sector.

Notice: Canadian readers should note that discussions around diversity and inclusion are also relevant in Canada, where similar corporate commitments are being scrutinized and evaluated in light of political and social pressures.

The Dayton sisters’ statements reflect a growing concern among stakeholders about the rollback of DEI initiatives in major corporations. As companies like Target navigate these challenges, the balance between ethical business practices and political pressures remains a critical issue.