‘Economic blackout’ boycott targets companies ending DEI program

Local Residents Join National Effort to Boycott Companies that Roll Back DEI Initiatives

INDIANAPOLIS — Some local residents have joined a national movement to boycott companies that are rolling back their diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. The effort, which involves a 24-hour “economic blackout,” urges consumers to redirect their spending to corporations that maintain and expand their DEI programs.

Indianapolis-based consultant and civil rights attorney Doneisha Posey, CEO of Impacto Strategies, emphasized the importance of consumers’ spending power, stating, “By choosing where we spend our money, we choose what’s important for our communities.” She noted that the Black, Latino, and disabled communities wield significant buying power, with combined totals of $1.3 trillion, $3.6 trillion, and $14 trillion, respectively.

Some residents, like Denita Johnson, chose to support local businesses instead of large corporations like Amazon, Target, and Walmart. Johnson stated, “I think it will make a difference in the stores. I’m disappointed that some companies dropped DEI programs. To me, it sends a message to your customers that I’m not only doing this because I have to, but now that I don’t have to, I’m not doing it.”

Economist Kyle J. Anderson from Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business expressed skepticism about the effectiveness of a one-day boycott, stating, “I don’t know if this will get to the scale that it’ll have a major impact on these organizations. I think they’ll notice that one day of sales are fewer, but I don’t think it’ll have a broader impact.”

Posey concurred, “While one day of not spending is not going to financially cripple corporations, what it does do is create awareness that the American people are listening and taking notice of what’s happening.” She added that this effort is about more than just a single day of spending; it’s about sending a message to companies about the importance of prioritizing diversity, equity, and inclusion.

The national movement is just one aspect of a broader effort to hold corporations accountable for their DEI initiatives. Other groups, including faith leaders, are also organizing similar boycotts and protests. A website, targetfast.org, has been launched to recruit participants for a 40-day Target boycott starting on March 5, and the Rev. Al Sharpton’s National Action Network has announced plans to identify and boycott companies that abandon their DEI pledges within the next 90 days.