|
In
an April 4 letter to PepsiCo CEO Ramon Laguarta, Sharpton
threatened to lead a boycott against the company. PepsiCo — one
of the largest food and beverage companies in North America
whose brands include Gatorade, Lay’s potato chips, Doritos,
Mountain Dew as well as Pepsi — told employees in February that
the company will no longer set goals for minority representation
in its managerial roles or supplier base.
Sharpton said he will be meeting with Laguarta and he intends to
press him on the specifics of the company's decision and what
commitments it still has to ensuring equal opportunity in
employment and contracts.
A spokesperson for PepsiCo did not immediately respond to a
request for comment.
PepsiCo is one of several companies, including Walmart and
Target, that have eliminated policies and programs aimed at
increasing diversity among its employees and reducing
discrimination against members of minority groups, women and
LGBTQ+ people since President Donald Trump returned to the White
House earlier this year.
Trump ended DEI programswithin the federal government and has
warned schools to do the same or risk losing federal money.
In January, Sharpton led a “buy-cott” at Costco, encouraging
Americans to vote with their dollars and shop at the retail
giant for its commitment to DEI policies, even as many of its
competitors phased them out.
“That is the only viable tool that I see at this time, which is
why we’ve rewarded those that stood with us," Sharpton told The
Associated Press.
All contents © copyright 2025 Associated Press. All rights reserved
|
|
