Lowe’s alters DEI policies amid rising public backlash

09/01/2024 / By Olivia Cook

Lowe’s Companies, Inc., a leading home improvement retailer, has recently decided to scale back some of its diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. This move aligns the company with other large corporations that are rethinking policies designed to enhance ethnic and racial diversity.

According to an internal memo obtained by Reuters on Aug. 21, Lowe’s will stop participating in surveys conducted by the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), a group that advocates for LGBTQ+ rights rights. Additionally, the company plans to consolidate its various employee resource groups, which were previously organized to support diverse employee communities, under one single, unified organization.

The memo also states that Lowe’s will no longer sponsor or take part in community events, such as fairs, festivals, or parades that are not directly related to its business activities. Further changes to DEI policies may be made over time, as suggested by the document, which was confirmed by a company spokesperson.

Despite these adjustments, Lowe’s maintains that its dedication to its employees remains unchanged – emphasizing this commitment in the memo.

In recent years, companies like JPMorgan Chase have encountered growing criticism from conservative groups over diversity initiatives – especially following the nationwide protests in response to the police killings of George Floyd and other Black Americans in 2020. These events brought significant attention to gender and racial inequalities in corporate leadership.

Since 2021, some companies have faced shareholder challenges claiming that their DEI programs amount to unlawful discrimination and violate the responsibilities of directors to their investors.

Opposition to diversity policies has gained momentum. Particularly after the Supreme Court’s decision in June 2023 that eliminated affirmative action in college admissions.

Around this time, Lowe’s began reevaluating and reducing its DEI efforts – joining other companies that have adjusted their approaches following the Supreme Court’s ruling.

Lowe’s CEO blasted for woke comment

Robby Starbuck, a conservative political commentator known for challenging corporate policies, may have influenced Lowe’s decision to change its DEI programs. Starbuck posted on X, formerly Twitter, that he had contacted a Lowe’s executive threatening to “expose” and publicly criticize the company’s hiring policies and practices and support for LGBTQ+ employee groups and Pride events.

However, Lowe’s spokesperson Steve Salazar said the company’s decision to alter its DEI policies had been in the works long before Starbuck’s involvement. According to Salazar, these changes were discussed internally at a meeting on Aug. 21 – well before Starbuck contacted them.

In addition to responding to Starbuck’s assertions, Lowe’s had to address another issue circulating on social media about a woke comment made by its CEO Marvin Ellison. He allegedly told conservative shoppers who disagreed with the company’s values to take their business to Home Depot. Lowe’s promptly clarified this situation on X. “Lowe’s CEO did not make this comment. Everyone is welcome at Lowe’s,” the company posted.

Since taking over as CEO in 2018, Ellison has made efforts to diversify Lowe’s leadership and be outspoken about racial justice issues – particularly following the 2020 protests sparked by the killing of George Floyd.

The pushback against DEI policies is not unique to Lowe’s. Across the corporate landscape, there have been calls for boycotts and legal challenges. In recent months, several companies, including whiskey maker Jack Daniels, farm equipment maker John Deere, motorcycle manufacturer Harley-Davidson and Tractor Supply, have also rolled back diversity measures after facing similar pressures. Even Jack Daniels’ parent company, Brown-Forman, acknowledged recent adjustments to its diversity strategy to better align with the current social environment. (Related: Harley-Davidson promises no more DEI, diversity spending goals and other woke madness after Robby Starbuck investigates.)

Watch the following video and learn what “Kevin McGary from Every Black Lives Matters (everyBLM) tells Mike Adams – WOKE DEI policies are destroying America.”

This video is from the Health Ranger Report channel on Brighteon.com.