February 1, 2025 - February 7, 2025 The Afro-American A5 THE BLACKwww.afro.com MEDIA AUTHORITY • AFRO.COM $2.00 $1.00
Volume 133 No. 27
Volume 123 No. 20–22
FEBRUARY 1, 2025 - FEBRUARY 7, 2025
AP Photo / David Zalubowski
Photo courtesy of Meta (Facebook) / National Action Network
Photo courtesy of Meta (Facebook) / National Action Network
The National Action Network under the leadership of Rev. Al Sharpton (center) provides transportation for a number of people to participate in a “buy-cott” at a Harlem area Costco after the company’s defiant response to federal pressure to end DEI programs.
National Action Network spearheads Costco ‘buy-cott’
By Aria Brent AFRO Staff Writer abrent@afro.com On a cold January day members of the National Action Network (NAN) joined the organization’s founder and president, Rev. Al Sharpton, as he implored the Black community to put their money to action. The place? A local Costco in East Harlem, N.Y. The “buy-cott” was organized following the inauguration of America’s 47th president. On day one of
“Costco has continued to put effort and support towards Black and Brown communities, as well as other groups that need a space to feel comfortable while they get their daily necessities.” his second term in office, Donald Trump signed a flurry of executive orders– including one designed to kill diversity, equity and inclusion
(DEI) initiatives on the federal level. Since Election Day, Nov. 5, 2024, leaders from major corporations across the nation have reversed
course on the DEI measures proudly touted after the May 25, 2020 death of George Floyd Jr. Walmart rolled back their DEI initiatives in November 2024, and Target followed suit in January 2025. Still other major companies, like Costco have held the line. As a result, Sharpton called on the Black community to spend their dollars inside of stores that recognize the importance of keeping diversity, equity and inclusion at the forefront of their brand. On Jan. 25, he led a busload full of consumers
to the Harlem Costco to financially support the business. Costco leaders, similar to those at JPMorgan Chase, have been praised for a strong commitment to the cause as other businesses choose to fold under pressure. “As we celebrated the legacy of Dr. King while Donald Trump took the oath of office, I promised to not only boycott companies that abandon their DEI commitments but support those who upheld them,” Sharpton said in a statement. “Costco has Continued on A5
Black Press encouraged to hold U.S. president accountable as chaos reigns in first 100 days of new administration By Megan Sayles AFRO Staff Writer msayles@afro.com
afro.com
As the 47th president of the United States makes good on his promise to decimate
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diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs on the federal level, renowned civil rights attorney Benjamin Crump has called on the Black Press to help Black communities across the country. The lawyer gave a galvanizing address at the National Newspaper Publisher Association’s (NNPA) Mid-Winter Training Conference, underscoring the vitality of preserving the freedom and power of the Black Press and its role as the “North Star” for African Americans. During the conference, held Jan. 22-24, Crump said the nation’s Black communities will require the leadership of the NNPA now more than ever. “History will ask the question: ‘Where were you when they tried to roll back our civil rights,’ when they tried to destroy diversity, equity and inclusion and when they tried to say to our children that Black history doesn’t matter?’” said Crump. “I make the argument to you all that this time in history we must challenge the souls of Black people at every opportunity we get because there will be some people who will take the past of least resistance, and we have to be
AP Photo
Ben Crump is working hand in hand with members of the Black Press to ensure that the fight for civil and human rights continues.
ready to call them out.” Crump has represented a number of high-profile clients whose loved ones died at the hands of police, including the families of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Trayvon Martin and Michael Brown. The attorney has also previously been honored by the NNPA, winning Newsmaker of the Year in 2014 and the Freedom-Fighting Legal Achievement award in 2020. The attorney contended that the Black Press is the only entity who can hold the Black community, lawmakers and the president accountable, and they must be diligent in delivering hard-hitting news.
Former White House aide and television and film producer Keith Boykin recently delineated the eight goals of the federal DEI programs that the 47th president vilified and eliminated. They included: Data collection, understanding who is and who isn’t in the federal workforce Paid internships, supplying underserved communities with opportunities and experience Recruitment, ensuring that the government does not solely employ the regular hires and posts job announcements in places where other Continued on A3
How halting police reform agreements could threaten the Black community By Ashlee Banks Special to the AFRO House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.-8) recently criticized the Trump administration for halting agreements between the Department of Justice (DOJ) and police departments identified for reform by the DOJ as a result of patterns of misconduct. The move that could significantly impact Black communities
disproportionately affected by systemic issues in law enforcement. “I don’t fully understand the rationale behind that particular executive order,” Jeffries told the AFRO. “I look forward to reviewing it, but it sounds like another effort to undermine the ability for there to be equal protection under the law in the United States of America.” The decision to suspend reform agreements raises concerns among civil
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rights advocates, as these agreements often target police departments with documented histories of racial bias and excessive use of force—issues that disproportionately harm Black Americans. While U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds (RFla.-19) voiced support for the administration’s reassessment. “If [Attorney] General [Pam] Bondi decides to go through these agreements
Continued on A3