Amid continuing protests following the death of George Floyd in its hometown, Target has detailed plans for its commitment to “rebuilding efforts and advancing social justice.”
The retailer quickly joined the center of the fray as protests turned to riots and looting in Minneapolis, with several Target stores being destroyed in the process.
“We are a community in pain. That pain is not unique to the Twin Cities — it extends across America. The murder of George Floyd has unleashed the pent-up pain of years, as have the killings of Ahmaud Arbery and Breonna Taylor,” said Target CEO Brian Cornell in a statement issued earlier this week. Now, Target has detailed its initial plans to support the process of change.
Target’s initial efforts include the following:
- A $10 million investment from Target and the Target Foundation to support its long-standing partners such as the National Urban League and the African American Leadership Forum. The company says it will also add new partners in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area and across the country.
- 10,000 hours of pro-bono consulting services for black- and people-of-color-owned small businesses in the Twin Cities, helping with rebuilding efforts.
- Continuing to provide essentials such as baby formula, diapers, medicine, and more to communities most in need.
- Target Circle, the retailer’s loyalty program, will offer guests the option to direct Target funds to local nonprofits and include organizations supporting social justice.
“Target stands with black families, communities, and team members,” Cornell says. “As we face an inflection point in Minneapolis and across the country, we’re listening to our team, guests and communities, committed to using our size, scale, and resources to help heal and create lasting change.”
More details on Target’s efforts, including grant applications, can be found here.
In recent days many companies, including those in the toy industry, have pledged support to the black community in a variety of ways. Most recently, the Walt Disney Co., the Pokémon Co. International, the LEGO Group, Hot Topic, and others have pledged monetary support to various organizations.
