Amazon has become the latest major corporation to pull back on some of its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, joining a growing list of US companies that have halted such efforts in response to pressure from activists and consumers.
According to a report by Bloomberg, an internal memo from Candi Castleberry, a senior human resources executive at Amazon, informed employees that the company is “winding down outdated programs and materials” as part of a broader review of initiatives within the company.
“Rather than have individual groups build programs, we are focusing on programs with proven outcomes — and we also aim to foster a more truly inclusive culture,” Castleberry wrote in the memo.
The memo did not specify which programs would be discontinued, but Amazon has historically released annual diversity data related to the racial and gender makeup of its workforce. The company also maintains several employee resource groups, including those specifically for black, LGBTQ+, and Indigenous employees.
In 2020, Amazon announced a goal to double the number of black employees in vice president and director roles and reiterated a similar objective in 2021, aiming to increase black representation in corporate positions, including product management and engineering roles, by 30 percent.
However, Amazon’s recent updates suggest a shift in its DEI focus. The company’s “Our Positions” webpage, which previously featured detailed sections titled “Equity for Black People” and “LGBTQ+ Rights,” now consolidates these topics into a single paragraph. The page emphasizes Amazon’s commitment to “creating a diverse and inclusive company that helps us build the best range of products and services for our broad customer base.”
This move aligns with a broader trend among US corporations reassessing their DEI initiatives. Anti-DEI activist Robby Starbuck has publicly campaigned against corporate DEI efforts, pressuring companies to dismantle such programs. Other major companies, including Walmart and Boeing, have scaled back DEI initiatives following similar scrutiny.
Meta, Harley-Davidson Inc., Ford Motor Co., and Deere & Co. have also recently announced significant reductions in their DEI efforts, signaling a shift in the priorities of large companies.
