Last Updated:
11/8/20 8:39 AM
overall rating:
undertones approved
Target
Internal Representation & Support
79%
Public Commitment
63%
External Communication
78%
To evaluate this pillar, we take into consideration a range of factors, including but not limited to:
- Employee representation
- Diversity, equity, & inclusion (DEI)
We weigh a company’s degree of public commitment primarily on their monetary contributions to DEI matters or organizations fighting racial injustice.
Forms of monetary support we look for:
One-off donations
Recurring donations
Grant initiatives
Employee donation matching
Highlights
Target has taken considerable steps to amplify Black voices and promote Black-owned brands. They recognized Juneteenth as holiday (allowing workers to receive time and a half) and provided aid to community members affected by damages from protests, including paying employees for 14 days while damaged stores underwent repairs. In addition to adding an icon to identify Black-owned brands on their website, Target hosted an HBCU design challenge as well as a podcast called "Go Off, Sis" in partnership with Refinery29, which strives to amplify voices of Black women.
Lowlights
Target's donation totals were extremely low. There have also been allegations of racism within stores, such as one instance in which a Black autistic 13-year-old hugged a Target employee and subsequently had the police called on him.
We scour the company’s website and official social media channels to determine what message they are sending around racial injustice, how they are communicating it, and whether their communications are perceived as genuine or performative.
Public statement: We verify that companies have made a formal statement regarding racial injustice.
Social media: We consider how a company uses their platform(s) beyond performative allyship.
Representation: For companies that have the opportunity to showcase diversity in their feed, we consider whether they have adequate Black representation and BIPOC representation across their models.
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Deep Dive
I. Internal Representation & Support:
Board of Directors:
> 15% Black, 31% - 35% BIPOC, 21% - 25% Women
Executive Leadership:
8% - 9% Black, 21% - 25% BIPOC, 41% - 45% Women
14% - 15% Black, > 40% BIPOC, > 50% Women
Workforce:
An appointed DEI senior leader and/or a dedicated DEI organization, A Black employee resource group
DEI Support:
II. Public Commitment
Target has pledged a donation of 0.01% - 0.09% of annual revenue towards racial injustice, specifically for Black lives. Additionally, Target has engaged in actions that advance racial justice and/or uplift BIPOC communities, such as partnerships with nonprofits or mission-based organizations, sponsorship of individuals who use their platform to speak out on racial injustice, and sponsorship of events. Target is also an advocate for the LGBTQ+ community and people living with disabilities.
III. External Communications
Target has issued a public statement, both on social media and in a public memo, addressing racial injustice that included specific calls to action, but did not explicitly state "Black Lives Matter." Since June 2020, 21% - 30% of the brand's social media content has been centered around racial injustice with posts seeking to continue the momentum of BLM. The brand has made an effort to include ethnic diversity, specifically increasing Black representation, and has shown support of the LGBTQ+ community beyond Pride as well as inclusion of people living with disabilities or a wide range of models with varying body types on social media.
