ATLANTA (AP) — The Georgia Mega Church pastor, who led the nationwide 40-day “fast” boycott of Target Stores over the retail chain’s commitment to diversity initiatives, calls for that effort to continue as a “complete target boycott.”
Pastor Jamal Bryant said this week that the Minneapolis-based retailer has not met all the demands of the boycotting efforts. Among them is restoring their commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion principles and pledging money to black-owned banks and businesses.
In January, Target announced it would phase out a small number of DEI initiatives, including programs designed to help black employees build meaningful careers and promote black-owned businesses. Conservative activists and President Donald Trump have tried to dismantle the federal government and school DEI policies.
Bryant is the pastor of the New Birth Missionary Baptist Church, one of the largest churches in the South in Stonecrest, Georgia, just outside Atlanta. Target Store’s 40-day “fast” coincided with the start of the March 5th lending, with other faith leaders approved the protest.
“We will remain in this position until the target comes to the table with serious, concrete suggestions to meet the four requirements,” Bryant said on a website dedicated to the boycott effort.
“Silence and delays are no longer acceptable,” he added. “Our community deserves action, not praise. Our demands are not radical. They are right, rational and will be postponed for a long time.”
In a statement Wednesday, Target said it “has an ongoing commitment to creating a welcome environment for all team members, guests and suppliers.”
“It’s the heart of how we support and grow our business,” the company said. “We continue to focus on creating support and opportunities for the organization for the 2,000 communities we live and run.”
Target operates around 2,000 stores nationwide and employs over 400,000 people.
Original issue: April 23, 2025, 7:25pm EDT
