Summarised by Centrist
In a major shift, Walmart, the US’ largest employer (1.6 million employees and USD$800b market cap) has agreed to abandon several Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) policies.
The move comes after discussions with anti-woke activist Robby Starbuck, who has previously influenced companies like John Deere and Ford.
Starbuck declared this Walmart agreement “the biggest win yet for our movement.”
Walmart will discontinue its participation in the Human Rights Campaign’s Corporate Equality Index, a benchmarking tool linked to promoting progressive workplace policies.
The company will also review its marketplace to remove sexual or transgender-themed items marketed to children.
Additionally, Walmart plans to revise its funding for Pride and similar events to ensure grants do not support sexualised content targeting young audiences.
Other measures include discontinuing racial equity training through the Racial Equity Institute, ending the use of DEI terminology, and pivoting to a “Belonging for ALL” approach. This will shift the company’s focus from traditional DEI frameworks to fostering an inclusive and respectful environment.
Walmart also plans to evaluate supplier diversity programs, pledging not to use quotas or require demographic data for financing eligibility. The Racial Equity Center initiative, established in 2020, will not be extended, and the company will stop using the term “LatinX” in official communications.
“This won’t just have a massive effect for their employees… but it will also extend to their many suppliers,” Starbuck said. “The era of wokeness is dying right in front of our eyes.”
