Pastor Jamal Bryant Criticizes Donation Amid Target Boycott
Accusations are surfacing against America’s largest historically Black Baptist denominations as Pastor Jamal Bryant from Georgia voices concerns over a $300,000 donation from Target. The megachurch leader asserts that this donation was accepted during an ongoing boycott against the retailer, stemming from its reduction in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies.
Pastor Bryant, representing New Birth Missionary Baptist Church, voiced his disapproval from the pulpit. His comments follow his previous rejection of Target’s offer to fulfill their $2 billion investment pledge aimed at Black-owned businesses by July 31.
The donation in question, according to Bryant, was divided among four major religious bodies, including the National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc., the National Baptist Convention of America, the National Missionary Baptist Convention, and the Church of God in Christ. Together, these organizations represent roughly 16 million members.
In response to Bryant’s assertions, a spokesperson for the National Baptist Convention USA stated, “The four presidents of the Convention, they will be gathering and they will make a response before the end of the week.”
Target, however, emphasized its ongoing partnership with NBCUSA, with a spokesperson noting their commitment to “education, economic development initiatives and entrepreneurship programs.” They cited significant investments in Black communities, including a $2 billion pledge and initiatives in Historically Black Colleges and Universities.
Pastor Bryant, addressing his congregation, suggested Target’s tactics were divisive, undermining the unity within the Black church and community. This comes amid Target CEO Brian Cornell’s acknowledgment of a boycott affecting their first quarter sales, detailed in a Wall Street Journal report.
Championed by Bryant, the Target Fast campaign pushes for Target to fulfill its commitments to the Black community, including depositing funds into Black-owned banks and supporting community centers at HBCUs.
In a bold statement to his church, Bryant proclaimed, “You thought you was going to go around me… sell out for $300,000. Are you crazy to think that we going to sell out for chump change?” He referenced historical tensions with the National Baptist Convention, urging action over complacency.
Despite these tensions, Boise Kimber, president of the National Baptist Convention USA, expressed confidence in Target’s sincerity and noted ongoing collaboration with the corporation, aiming for a plan beneficial to the African American community over three years.
Meanwhile, Pastor Bryant remains skeptical of Target’s motives, citing alleged public relations efforts to downplay the controversy. He issued a call to action, asserting, “We will break Target… any company that don’t honor our dignity while they trying to take our dollar. The devil is a lie. Something’s got to break.”
This controversy occurs as various companies, including Target, reevaluate their DEI policies in response to a 2023 U.S. Supreme Court ruling on race-based admissions policies.
This article was originally written by www.christianpost.com
