Chicago – Attorney General Kwame Raoul, leading a coalition of 13 attorneys general, issued a letter to Walmart voicing concerns about the company’s recent announcement of its plans to step away from its commitments to diversity, equity and inclusion.
In a letter sent to Walmart President and CEO Doug McMillon, Raoul and the attorneys general urge the company to reconsider its decision to phase out supplier diversity programs, close down the Center for Racial Equality, end equity trainings for staff and remove the words “diversity” and “DEI” from company documents and employee titles, arguing that the move would undermine important social progress and antidiscrimination efforts. McMillon announced the creation of Walmart’s Center for Racial Equality in 2020 after the murder of George Floyd, calling social justice and equity “essential” to the company’s “core business.”
“Diversity initiatives are not just laudable goals, they are also broadly popular and good for business,” Raoul said. “By walking away from these efforts to make its workplace more inclusive and representative of the American public, Walmart is abandoning the employees and consumers who expect the company to deliver on its promises. I stand with my fellow attorneys general in calling on Walmart to maintain its commitments and reject pressure from those trying to turn back the clock on the important progress that has been made toward equity.”
In their letter, Raoul and the attorneys general note that opponents to diversity initiatives have sought to improperly expand the U.S. Supreme Court’s narrow ruling in Students for Fair Admissions Inc. v. President and Fellows of Harvard College (SFFA) far beyond its scope. These ideologically driven groups have attempted to pressure businesses and education organizations through unfounded lawsuits and threats of litigation and boycotts. The attorneys general make clear that diversity, equity and inclusion programs remain legal and that Walmart’s decision to eliminate these efforts is not required by law. In fact, Raoul and the attorneys general argue that such programs help ensure that companies remain in compliance with state and federal civil rights laws.
In addition to clarifying the legal landscape around diversity, equity and inclusion programs, the attorneys general remind Walmart that such initiatives are good for business and popular among consumers. The letter cites studies that show companies with diverse leadership teams are associated with higher financial returns and consumer research that indicates that the majority of Americans support businesses that take active steps to ensure that corporate culture and structure reflect the diversity of the American population.
The letter to Walmart is the most recent action Raoul has taken to defend diversity, equity and inclusion efforts since the Supreme Court’s SFFA ruling in 2023. Recently, Raoul condemned unfounded attacks on the FBI that attempted – without merit – to tie the New Year’s Day act of terrorism in New Orleans to diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives. He has also led outreach efforts to Fortune 500 companies and the American Bar Association affirming the strides toward diversity they have made, clarifying that these efforts are legal and encouraging them to continue.
Joining Raoul in sending the letter to Walmart are the attorneys general of California, Connecticut, Hawaii, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island and Vermont.
