
Target’s DEI Rollback: What It Means for Black Entrepreneurs in Beauty
- Lauren Blake
- Jan 24
- 1 min read

In a shocking turn of events, retail giant Target has announced a major shift in its Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives, sparking outrage and concern among minority-owned businesses. Once a champion of inclusive practices, Target is now rebranding its DEI efforts under the new “Belonging” framework—raising questions about what this means for Black entrepreneurs, particularly in the beauty industry.
The shift comes after increasing political pressures and recent Supreme Court decisions that have reshaped the DEI landscape. While Target claims the new strategy will foster “authentic belonging,” critics worry this move dilutes support for underrepresented communities.
For Black women founders in beauty, who have relied on retail partnerships with Target to amplify their voices and products, this rollback signals a critical moment. What will “belonging” actually look like? And will it provide the same level of actionable support for Black-owned brands as DEI once promised?
As we navigate this changing retail landscape, Black Beauty Founders remains committed to empowering our community. We’ll continue to advocate for opportunities that ensure Black-owned beauty brands don’t lose ground in the fight for representation and equity.
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