In 2025, consumers are standing on business and forcing companies to pay attention. Since the Trump administration launched its campaign on DEI rollbacks, customers have become more mindful of where they spend their hard-earned money and are participating in Target “fasts” and boycotts in response to major retailer—like Target and Walmart—publicly changing their diversity, equity and inclusion practices and policies. 

While Target has admitted that these boycotts have contributed to a decline in sales and foot traffic, it is only one of the many brands warning investors about the customer and legal repercussions and risks of rolling back on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) and environmental, social and governance (ESG) initiatives. Read more at www.thegrio.com.

 Elon Musk is leaving his government role as a top adviser to President Donald Trump after spearheading efforts to reduce and overhaul the federal bureaucracy.

His departure, announced Wednesday evening, marks the end of a turbulent chapter that included thousands of layoffs, the evisceration of government agencies and reams of litigation. Despite the upheaval, the billionaire entrepreneur struggled in the unfamiliar environment of Washington, and he accomplished far less than he hoped. Read more at www.thegrio.com.

By Stacy M. Brown
Black Press USA Senior National Correspondent

On the fifth anniversary of George Floyd’s murder, Rev. Dr. Jamal-Harrison Bryant led a national prayer protest targeting Target’s rollback of diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts. Dozens of churches joined in what Bryant called a “spiritual act of uprising,” staging nine-minute and 40-second demonstrations outside Target stores in honor of the time Floyd was pinned to the ground by police. “Five years ago, the CEO of Target said George Floyd could have been one of his employees and, with no pressure, made a pledge of $2 billion,” Bryant said during the protest in Conyers, Georgia. “To see mega-companies now walk away from diversity, equity, and inclusion is a stark contrast from where we were five years ago.” Laretta Wright, a protester at the demonstration, urged accountability. “If you’ve made a promise or a commitment to the people, that’s all we ask—that you follow through,” Wright demanded. “Don’t fall back and tell us to go back because we ain’t going back. We’re going forward.” Read more at www.blackpressusa.com.

By Lauren Burke

Charlie Rangel, the long-term Congressman and a heavyweight in New York politics as a member of Harlem’s “Gang of Four”, has died at 94. His colorful and charismatic personality, bowties, and raspy voice made him a character on Capitol Hill who was impossible to forget. Rangel was simultaneously larger than life but also approachable and engaging. Rangel was the last living member of the “Gang of Four” made up of powerful African American leaders in New York: David Dinkins (1927-2020), Basil Paterson (1946-2014), and Percy Sutton (1920-2009). The four dealmakers were powerbrokers at a time when political decisions were made in smoke-filled rooms over poker games. In 2010, President Obama suggested that Rangel resign from Congress “with dignity” after he was targeted by an ethics investigation that would eventually mean he had to give up the Chairmanship of the Ways & Means Committee. “This guy from Lenox Avenue is retiring with dignity,” Rangel would later tell reporters as he departed Congress on his terms and at the time of his choosing. Read more at www.blackpressusa.com.

The nation’s capital city will remove the large painting of the words “Black Lives Matter” on a street one block from the White House as Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser struggles to fend off threats of encroachment from both President Donald Trump and the Republican-controlled Congress.

Bowser pointed to the change on the social platform X on Tuesday, writing: “The mural inspired millions of people and helped our city through a painful period, but now we can’t afford to be distracted by meaningless congressional interference. The devastating impacts of the federal job cuts must be our number one concern.” Read more at www.kltv.com.

Tabitha Brown will always advocate for Black authors, Black-owned businesses, content creators, and creatives, regardless of what the haters may say. 

Following backlash after she spoke out about how the Target boycott impacts Black authors, on Tuesday, May 20, the 46-year-old internet personality and author doubled down on her support of her peers in a video uploaded to Instagram. 

“This is my prayer for you,” the “Donna’s Receipe” founder began in the video, addressed to all the users flooding her comments and DMs with “uneducated” hate messages. Read more at www.thegrio.com.

Brandon Johnson, the mayor of Chicago, is being investigated by the U.S. Department of Justice Office of Civil Rights after he made remarks boasting about the hiring of Black people in his administration.

Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon, who was nominated to the position by President Donald Trump, announced the probe in a letter. In it, she revealed that her office is investigating whether Mayor Johnson’s employment practices are discriminatory based on race in violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Read more at www.thegrio.com.