He’s supporting companies that support our community!
In a powerful show of support for corporate diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, Rev. Al Sharpton led a “buy-in” at the Harlem Costco this past Sunday, Fox News reports. The civil rights leader and MSNBC host, along with over 100 members of his National Action Network (NAN), took to the aisles of the wholesale retailer to reinforce their commitment to companies that prioritize DEI policies.
Sharpton’s actions come in response to Costco shareholders’ recent decision to reject an anti-DEI proposal brought forth by the National Center for Public Policy Research. The measure sought to mandate a report on the perceived risks associated with the company’s DEI efforts. Instead, Costco stood firm in its commitment to fostering an inclusive workplace, and Sharpton and his supporters showed their gratitude by shopping en masse.
“Leading a buy-in with 100+ @NationalAction members at the @Costco location in Harlem, NYC to show support for the company’s strong commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI),” Sharpton shared in a social media post.
The longtime Civil Rights Leader purchased $25 gift certificates for each participant to use in-store, turning the event into an act of solidarity and economic empowerment. The demonstration comes on the heels of a larger national conversation on DEI policies, particularly in light of recent federal actions. The new President has issued hundreds of controversial executive orders, rolling back DEI initiatives within the federal government, leading to nearly 400 employees being put on leave and the cancellation of over $400 million in DEI-related federal spending.
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Speaking outside the Harlem Costco, Sharpton criticized these rollbacks, calling them an “outright affront” to Black and minority communities.
“We’re going shopping at Costco because they’ve stood with us. People that stand with us, we will stand with them,” he declared.
While Costco remains committed to DEI, other major corporations have chosen to step back amid ongoing backlash. Companies such as META, Target, McDonald’s, Walmart, and Harley-Davidson have all scaled back their DEI programs in recent months. Sharpton’s call for action extends beyond just support; he has also urged consumers to boycott companies that have chosen to abandon their DEI initiatives.
During his Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day address at the Metropolitan AME Church in Washington, D.C., Sharpton emphasized the historical necessity of DEI efforts, stating, “Why do we have DEI? We have DEI because you denied us diversity, you denied us equity, you denied us inclusion. DEI was a remedy to the racial institutionalized bigotry practiced in academia and in these corporations. Now, if you want to put us back in the back of the bus, we going to do the Dr. King-Rosa Parks on you,” said Sharpton to a crowd of supporters.
While the battle for inclusivity in the workplace is far from over, and how new executive orders impact companies remains to be determined, Sharpton and his supporters remain steadfast in their mission to champion DEI in corporate America and beyond. The “buy-in” is just the beginning for Sharpton and a strong show of the power of economic activism, reinforcing that supporting businesses that align with community values is not just about spending—it’s about standing firm in the fight for equity and inclusion.
Cover photo: Rev. Al Sharpton Leads ‘Buy-In’ at Harlem Costco to Support Companies Prioritizing DEI/Photo credit: Erwin Trollinger/Supreme Creative Agency/National Action Network/Instagram