2025 January Newsletter
Candalada
This year Hair Therapy’s own Dr. Rufaro Mandizvidza, MBA, PMP is hosting a tax preparation session on Saturday, Feb 1st, at 10:30am. For more information visit the Hair Therapy University page. To join the zoom click HERE
92 Percent
In the 2024 U.S. presidential election, ninety-two percent of Black women cast their votes for Kamala Harris, a demonstration of political solidarity. For many it was personal. Hair Therapy is a supporter of former Vice President Kamala Harris. She was photographed by NikkRich and covered in the Jan 2021 Newsletter .
The 2024 election is over and the shift of leadership is causing changes that will affect many of the 92 percent directly. For some Black women there is a feeling of hopelessness because there are no check and balances in the White House, making it easy for changes that are racially charged to be made. Amongst many things some topics of concern are rollbacks of DEI programs, a call for all federal workers to return to work, a federal hiring freeze and mass federal terminations.
A major upset this week was Target being one of the companies to fold and rollback their DEI programs and goals. This is unfortunate. I have been shopping at Target since I stopped shopping at Walmart in Jan 2019, after posting my WTF Walmart article .
SInce then Walmart was sued for racial profiling by Essie Grundie . The policy to loc up Black products (which they call multicultural) have been changed by Walmart, Walgreens and CVS. Target once took the position of partnering with Black owned companies and HBCUs. They participated in Pride Month and Latino Heritage month.
SInce inauguration they have made a swift change succumbing to the threat of a MAGA supporter lawsuit. Target was sued by the invesetor for selling LGBTQ merchndise. Subsequently they have eliminated their DEI goals and programs. Black consumers were offended by this switch up and have threatened to boycott Target effective immediately.
Black Business owners have flocked to social media to encourage buyers to consider targeted shopping verses boycotting Target. Their reason for this plea states when a products underperform they are removed from the shelf and it the opportunity to be approved for retail sales after poor performance is slim. Tabitha says it is a process on to get in and one to get out. SHe has a year left on her contract with Target. Don’t let them erase us. Do not give them what they want.
TARGET SHOPPING VS BOYCOTT
WHICH WILL YOU CHOOSE?
Some viewers understand her point of view and are open to target shopping while others say, “Fuck that, I’m boycotting!”. The realization is we need Black owned mass market distribution channels and we currently do not have one. One of the themes of the internet right now is “Checkers not Chess”. The impact will be greater if everyone can agree on the best approach to resist but this is a tough one.
COMPANIES STIll SUPPORTING DEI
Costco’s popularity has increased since rejecting the proposal to scale back DEI. Lists and directories are being shared of companies that still support diversity, equity and inclusion. A comprehensive list of supporters or companies that publicly support and privately cut some programs can be found here
DISMANTLING DEI IN THE GOVT
The effect of the removal of DEI in the govt. The effect of commuting for workers according to ABC.
SHOP THE HOOD DIRECTORY
Having trouble finding Black owned businesses? Sign up on https://shopthehood.store/ to gain access to their directory. It is a digital categorized flip book of Black owned businesses. With so much to digest as a community this month we are staying on topic. Hair Therapy will resume some coverage of lifestyle and food news next month. Within our the Hair Therapy network we have bookkeepers, accountants, lawyers, realtors and economist. If you need referrals or support please contact Candalada (me) directly.