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Target Reveals Sweeping Action Plan to Advance Racial Equity

Target’s new Racial Equity Action and Change committee (REACH) has created an action plan which focuses on four areas: Team, Guests, Communities and Civic Engagement and Public Policy.

Published 4 years ago | About a 2 minute read

Image: Target/Facebook

Since the brutal murder of George Floyd by Minneapolis police at the end of May reignited the Black Lives Matter movement and more thorough examinations of the systemic racism baked into our economic and social systems in the US, we’ve seen a flood of support from companies large and small — ranging from platitudes and sound bytes to donations to earnest commitments, changes in policy, and overdue reboots of heritage brands.

Just days after Floyd’s death, Target CEO Brian Cornell shared the retail giant’s commitment to stand with Black families and fight against racism, starting with a $10 million pledge to advance social justice in local communities. Target then launched a Racial Equity Action and Change committee (REACH) — made up of six senior company leaders — to create an action plan. While the company continues to push for progress on its existing goals around diversity and inclusion, Cornell and the REACH committee shared a new action plan this week, which focuses on four areas: Team, Guests, Communities and Civic Engagement and Public Policy.

Team

Target has committed to creating "a workplace where Black team members can build meaningful careers and experience success at every level." The company pledges to bring this to life through anti-racism training and education for all team members; as well as career development, progression and advancement for Black team members — with a commitment to increase Black representation and reduce turnover at every level.

Guests

Target will "create environments where Black guests feel overtly welcome and see themselves represented across our products, marketing and shopping experiences." The retailer says it will source and design significantly more products from Black creators, designers, vendors, agencies, contractors and suppliers; offer its resources and expertise to help advance Black-owned and -founded businesses; and partner with companies that share and uphold Target's anti-racist policy standards.

Communities

Target says it will "find new ways to accelerate the prosperity of Black communities" — including prioritizing philanthropic investments and designing volunteer projects to address racial inequities faced by Black communities. The retailer says it will even approach store development and remodels in ways that create solutions with community partners.

Civic engagement & public policy

In its work with policy makers, Target has committed to stand up on key issues that will help end systemic racism — including safety and police reform, education and economic opportunities; and support non-partisan efforts to encourage fair, accessible and safe voting.

Target says it will report back on its plans and progress in the coming weeks.