5 famous companies that have come out of ‘diversity, equity, and inclusion’ initiatives

Major corporations in the US are supporting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts, and Walmart is among the latest to join the chorus amid growing pressure from conservatives.

Many proponents of DEI argue that the effort corrects historical injustices and systemic inequities. However, conservatives say it promotes divisiveness, leading to DEI plans coming under attack from conservatives and state legislatures across the US.

One of the most prominent people leading companies touting DEI is Robby Starbuck, who often posts changes made by companies about DEI on his X and Instagram accounts.

State lawmakers and governors have passed resolutions to restrict DEI on college campuses and in the public sector.

For example, Republicans Utah Gov. Spencer Cox signed a bill earlier this year that bans diversity training, recruiting and programs involving universities and state governments, adding to a growing list of states banning such programs.

On the higher education side, a committee of the University of North Carolina’s board of governors in North Carolina voted to end DEI requirements and roles as part of a growing backlash to the idea of ​​DEI in schools across the country.

WALMART’S CEO SPEAKS ON ROLLBACK OF DEI PROGRAMS: ‘WE WILL CONTINUE TO MAKE THE BEST SUSTAINABLE DECISIONS’

This trend spread to the private sector, where large companies followed after the US ban practice in college admissions in July 2023.

Several companies faced losses lawsuits because of their DEI policies.

Walmart

Walmart, America’s largest employer with more than 1.6 million employees and a market capitalization of $800 billion, announced Monday that it is withdrawing from DEI efforts.

“We’ve been on a journey and we know we’re not perfect, but every decision comes from a place of wanting to foster a sense of belonging, opening doors of opportunity for all of our partners, customers and suppliers and being a Walmart for everyone,” the company said in a statement on the move.

Walmart, America’s largest employer with more than 1.6 million employees and a market capitalization of $800 billion, has announced that it is withdrawing from DEI’s efforts. (Walmart)

Move forwardWalmart will no longer participate in the Human Rights Campaign’s (HRC) Corporate Equality Index, which measures LGBTQ+ workplace inclusion, sell LGBTQ-related items on its website, conduct racial equity training through the Racial Equity Institute, and expand its relationship with The Racial Equity Center, a program established in 2020 as a special five-year program.

In addition, the company will stop using “Latinx,” a gender-neutral term to refer to Latinos.

Molson Coors

FOX business received a letter from Coors, citing company executives as saying its human resources team began making plans in March to expand visibility of DEI policies to ensure all “employees know they are welcome.” The company did not comment beyond the contents of the letter.

“We ensure that our executive incentives are aligned with business performance and do not include vested interests beginning next year,” company executives wrote in a memo obtained by FOX Business.

Molson Coors has also ended its participation in the HRC Corporate Equality Index.

CATERPILLAR MAKES POLICY CHANGES FOR ANOTHER COMPANY DEI ROLLBACK

Ford Motor Company

Michigan-based Ford Motor Company announced in August that it was backing off DEI’s efforts. According to the memo leaked by Starbuck, the Fortune 500 company also withdrew from participating in the HRC Corporate Equality Index and the “best places to work” list. The company added that it “does not use hiring rates or binding compensation to achieve specific diversification goals.”

Michigan-based Ford Motor Company announced in August that it was backing off DEI’s efforts. Photographer: Jeff Kowalsky/Bloomberg via Getty Images (Jeff Kowalsky / Getty Images)

Ford CEO Jim Farley wrote an email to employees, saying “We will continue to devote our effort and resources to caring for our customers, our team, and our communities as opposed to publicly commenting on the many issues of the day.”

He added, “There will be times when we will speak out on important issues if we believe our voice can make a positive difference.”

Harley-Davidson

A motorcycle company he made an announcement in August to dump DEI just before Ford made the move.

The 120-year-old motorcycle company posted on its iX account a statement about the decision.

“We are committed to listening to all members of our community as we continue our journey together as one Harley-Davidson. United We Ride,” the company announced.

The company said it will “review all sponsorships and organizations we work with.”

“We are deeply saddened by the indifference on social media over the past few weeks, which has been designed to divide the Harley-Davidson community.”

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The company added that “we have not used DEI work since April 2024, and we do not have DEI work today. We have no hiring quotas and we no longer have various supplier spending policies.”

Lowe’s

The home improvement chain lowered its DEI during the same month as other companies. Following Ford Motor Company and Walmart, Lowe’s has stopped participating in human rights campaign testing.

Additionally, Lowe’s has reportedly stopped sponsoring and participating in events, including Pride parades and other celebrations, that are outside the scope of its corporate values.

Starbucks took over debt about Lowe’s changes, telling X that they were made after he pressured the company, threatening to “expose” their “rebellious” policies.

Other companies that rejected DEI were John Deere, Tractor Supply, Caterpillar, and John Forman.

Breck Dumas of FOX Business contributed to this report.