Dr. Boise Kimber, the president of the National Baptist Convention USA, Inc. (NBC), one of the largest Black religious organizations in the country is facing fierce backlash after accepting a $300,000 donation from Target, while a high-profile boycott of the retailer continues to gain traction.
In a press release responding to the backlash, Kimber framed the donation as a practical move to fund scholarships, senior programs and Black entrepreneurship.
“The partnership with Target Corporation is based on our shared commitment to community empowerment,” Kimber said. “If I thought Target was not sincere in their commitment to the African-American community, I would be the first one on the picket line.”
Critics, including Pastor Jamal Bryant of New Birth Missionary Baptist Church in Georgia, accuse the denomination of betraying a broader movement to hold corporations accountable for pulling back on diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) commitments.
DEI Backlash and a Boycott
The conflict traces back to Bryant’s leadership in launching a boycott against Target in March. The boycott was sparked by the company’s rollback of DEI initiatives that were widely expanded after the 2020 murder of George Floyd. What began as a 40-day fast has now become an open-ended campaign, with an estimated 10,000 church members and other supporters participating in the protest.
Bryant demanded that Target honor its $2 billion pledge to support Black businesses, deposit $250 million in 23 Black-owned banks, open community retail centers at 10 HBCUs and recommit to DEI on all levels.
The campaign seems to be having an impact. Reports stated that Target CEO Brian Cornell confirmed during a recent earnings call that the boycott had contributed to a drop in first-quarter sales, down 2.8% from the same time last year, totaling $23.85 billion.
That’s why news of NBC accepting a $300,000 donation from Target landed like a bombshell in the Black faith and advocacy community. The Wall Street Journal first reported the gift, and social media quickly amplified the fallout.
Bryant addressed the issue in his Sunday sermon, saying Target was trying to sidestep the boycott by appealing to the broader Baptist leadership instead of negotiating with those leading the movement. He didn’t hold back.
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“You thought you were going to go around me and go to the National Baptist Convention and go out for $300,000?” Bryant thundered from the pulpit. “Are you crazy to think that we gon’ sell out for chump change?”
The comment drew cheers from his congregation and support from outside voices like journalist Roland Martin, who publicly accused the NBC of “selling out Black America with Target.”
Kimber said the NBC is working on a three-year plan that benefits the Black community.
