Twin Cities Black entrepreneurs who once benefitted from Target’s diversity, equity and inclusion commitments now face a shifting landscape.
When Target pledged billions toward racial equity and diverse supplier programs following George Floyd’s murder, Black-owned brands in Minnesota saw an opening that had long been closed. From expanded shelf space and mentorship to national distribution deals and marketing support, the Minneapolis-based retailer positioned itself as a corporate anchor in the push to build generational wealth in communities historically shut out of the retail economy.
But now, with Target retreating from DE&I goals, some local entrepreneurs say the momentum that once promised growth and stability has faded, raising questions about whether progress for Black-owned businesses was a long-term strategy or a temporary cultural moment…