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Thoughts from our CEO Zoe Oli regarding the Target DEI news. Your support is needed now more than ever for ours and other minority owned businesses on Target shelves.

BOYCOTT is not a word that should be played with, or willfully misunderstood. I’ve been an activist for 40 years, since I was a kid basically, and I have been in many protests. Boycott is a strategy, but it takes coordination and a common goal. PLEASE research the Montgomery Bus Boycott and how it was done, how folks were supported who boycotted. PLEASE research what Maya Smith and Tabitha Brown have posted about why boycotting big retailers like Target is not wise given Black-owned businesses like theirs have products in these stores. PLEASE let’s be smart, not reactionary. PLEASE let’s have a real plan, not just outrage and making up stuff as we go along. And as an activist myself PLEASE DO NOT LISTEN TO PEOPLE WHO JUST PROTEST FOR THE SAKE OF PROTESTING. They do not care about you or us. They care about social media follows, likes, and their own “careers” as activists, as talking heads. And these kinds of folks manipulate anger or sadness for themselves, and rarely offer a real plan of action or empowerment. That is not leadership. That is a hustle.

(I’m in my feelings, but in the last 24 hours I’ve learned of contracts cut and friends let go over confusion!) Stop the Confusion: DEI and Supplier Diversity Are Not the Same—And Here’s Why That Matters Lately, I’ve noticed people lumping Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives together with Supplier Diversity, as if they’re interchangeable. Let me be clear: they are NOT the same, and conflating them only serves to muddy the waters and undermine critical business functions. Let’s break this down:     •    DEI is about internal transformation. It focuses on hiring practices, equitable opportunities, and creating a workplace culture where everyone feels they belong. While DEI drives cultural change, it’s often unfairly criticized because its results can take time to materialize.     •    Supplier Diversity, on the other hand, is a hard-hitting business strategy—a must-have for any organization that wants to compete and thrive in today’s market. It’s not about being “woke”; it’s about being smart, prepared, and profitable. Here’s what Supplier Diversity brings to the table:     •    Stronger Supply Chains: Diverse suppliers provide flexibility and reduce dependency, keeping your business resilient when disruptions hit. Source: EY.     •    Unmatched Innovation: Suppliers from different backgrounds bring fresh ideas and approaches to solve business challenges. That’s not a “nice-to-have”—it’s a competitive edge. Source: McKinsey.     •    Lower Costs, Higher ROI: Diverse suppliers often deliver customized solutions at competitive prices, saving you money while driving value. Source: McKinsey.     •    Economic Power: Partnering with underrepresented businesses creates jobs and stimulates the economy in ways that benefit everyone. Source: Supplier.io.     •    Market Access: Diverse suppliers help you tap into new demographics, giving you a leg up in expanding customer reach. Source: Wikipedia. And here’s the kicker: ignoring Supplier Diversity puts your business at risk. Removing it from your procurement strategy means:     •    Higher costs.     •    Reduced innovation.     •    Weaker supply chains.     •    Missed opportunities for growth. So, let’s be real—Supplier Diversity isn’t a “feel-good” initiative or an extension of DEI. It’s a business-critical function that impacts your bottom line and your future. To those who think we’re guilty of pushing Supplier Diversity as anything less than a strategic imperative, here’s the truth: you can’t afford to ignore it. Supplier Diversity isn’t optional. It’s not up for debate. It’s a non-negotiable cornerstone of a resilient, innovative, and profitable organization. Don’t confuse the two. Don’t water down the conversation. And don’t assume we’ll let you dismiss something that is both ethically and economically essential. Let’s lead the conversation with facts, strategy, and impact. DJ out!!! #SupplierDiversity #ProcurementStrategy #BusinessResilience #CompetitiveAdvantage