FWD: Are you boycotting too?

BFA Collective: Discover Rev. Al Sharpton's DEI boycott call, sparking vital discussions on corporate responsibility and diversity. Engage with us today!

Author

Dale Harris
January 28, 2025

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What’s good, BFA Fam! Another day, another Chinese app taking the world by storm. This time, it’s not TikTok—it’s DeepSeek. Over the weekend, DeepSeek skyrocketed to the top spot in the app store, earning its place as the latest tech phenomenon. The app delivers performance on par with Meta and OpenAI’s models but at a fraction of the cost—20 to 50 times cheaper, to be exact. Even more impressively, it’s open-source, a stark contrast to OpenAI’s $200/month subscription plan. At this rate, it might be wise to stay on AI’s good side just in case it takes over. I’m officially adding “AI Whisperer” to my LinkedIn profile.

Al Sharpton Calls for Boycott Against Companies Gutting DEI

A lot has changed in the short time since Trump took office less than two weeks ago. Alongside the new administration, many companies and organizations have scaled back their diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts. The Trump administration has already issued three executive orders directly targeting DEI programs across the United States. This marks a stark contrast to the bipartisan federal policies implemented after George Floyd's death in 2020, which aimed to address systemic barriers and create greater opportunities for all.

Last Friday, Target became the latest company to scale back its DEI initiatives, sparking a wave of backlash across social media. Among the programs affected was Target’s effort to support and promote Black-owned businesses in its stores, which included brands like Tabitha Brown’s line, Mielle Organics, and the popular haircare brand The Doux.

Major companies like Target, Walmart, McDonald’s, Lowe’s, Harley-Davidson, Ford, Tractor Supply, Meta, Amazon, Boeing, Nissan, Toyota, and Caterpillar have all scaled back their DEI programs, signaling a widespread corporate shift that has sparked significant public debate.

Rev. Al Sharpton has taken a stand, calling on the public to boycott companies rolling back their DEI programs. He also expressed his support for businesses that are strengthening their DEI efforts, such as Costco, during the boycott. Sharpton emphasized that cutting DEI initiatives could have far-reaching consequences for Black-owned businesses, affecting them in ways many may not fully realize.

How Cutting DEI Hurts Black-Owned Businesses:

  • Fewer Products in Stores

    • Black-owned brands could lose spots on store shelves, making it harder for them to reach customers.

  • Less Access to Funding and Mentors

    • DEI programs often give money, support, and guidance to help Black businesses grow, which would disappear.

  • Less Support from Leaders

    • With fewer diverse leaders in companies, Black-owned brands might get overlooked in partnerships and contracts.

  • Loss of Trust and Community Support

    • Cutting DEI could hurt relationships with customers and communities that value diversity.

“Why do we have DEI? We have DEI because you denied us diversity, you denied us equity, you denied us inclusion. DEI was a remedy to the racial institutionalized bigotry practice in academia and in these corporations. Now, if you want to put us back in the back of the bus, we gonna do the Dr. King-Rosa Parks on you,” Rev. Al Sharpton said.

Diverse Reactions to the Boycott

The reaction to Rev. Al Sharpton’s call for a boycott has been mixed. Supporters commend his push to hold corporations accountable for cutting DEI programs, while critics question the effectiveness of such actions. This divide highlights the ongoing debate over the role of activism and corporate responsibility in promoting inclusion and equity.

Have thoughts on the DEI boycott? Email me your responses, and I might include them in the next edition of BFA Collective. Let your voice be heard!

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💯 Costco Stands Firm on DEI: Overwhelmingly Defeats Shareholder Push to Challenge Diversity Practices

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The BFA Hit List

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THE FLIP SIDE

🕊️ Kobe Bryant’s Legacy Lives On. Five years after Kobe Bryant’s tragic death alongside daughter Gianna, his legacy thrives. The Lakers unveiled two statues, Vanessa Bryant leads impactful foundation work, and Nike and the WNBA honor their contributions, ensuring their influence inspires generations to come. (USA Today)

🌏 Trump Proposes Relocation for Gaza Residents, Sparking Global Criticism
President Trump suggested relocating Gaza’s Palestinians to other nations, asking Jordan and Egypt to accept more refugees, sparking outrage globally. Critics, including Hamas and the UN, condemned the proposal as “ethnic cleansing.” While Israeli ultranationalists praised the idea, others slammed it as inhumane. Amid fragile ceasefire violations, the move intensifies tensions and leaves civilians in deep uncertainty. (NBC News)

🚙 Hackers Exploit Subaru System to Remotely Unlock, Start, and Track Cars. Hackers exploited a Subaru web portal to remotely unlock, start, and track vehicles, exposing a year’s worth of location data. While Subaru fixed the issue, researchers warn this highlights a broader industry problem, with similar vulnerabilities affecting other automakers like Honda and Toyota. Critics fear these flaws could be weaponized, emphasizing the need for stronger security in connected cars. (Tech Crunch)

ARTIST SPOTLIGHT

BigXthaPlug

BigXthaPlug just released the deluxe version of his second album, Take Care, this past Friday (January 24). It includes three fresh tracks: “Holy Ground” featuring Jessie Murph, “Life of a Boss,” and “Comes & Goes” with Tommy Newport. This talented rapper from Dallas, recognized as one of HipHopDX’s ‘Rising Stars’ of 2024, is making a big splash with his unique sound and impressive releases. Songs like “Mmhmm” and “Climate” with Offset have already secured his spot in the hip-hop scene, and the deluxe edition of *Take Care* only strengthens his growing reputation.

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