Lowe's joins companies dialing back DEI initiatives
Lowe’s Home Improvement is rolling back diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) policies, joining several other companies to do so amid conservative backlash targeting such initiatives following the the Supreme Court’s decision to ban affirmative action in college admissions.
According to an internal memo obtained by The Associated Press, executive leadership said the company began “reviewing” its programs following the court’s ruling.
The retailer will now combine resource groups designed for “individual groups representing diverse sections of our associate population” into one.
Lowe’s said it will also end any sponsorship and participation in events such as parades, festivals or fairs. In 2019, Lowe's sponsored a Pride parade in Charlotte, N.C.
As part of that change, the company will also no longer participate in the Human Rights Campaign annual survey measuring workplace inclusion for LGBTQ+ employees — despite earning a perfect score in the organization's most recent corporate equity index examining policies protecting LGBTQ workers.
“We may make additional changes over time,” the memo said. “What will not change, though, is our commitment to our people.”
Lowe's did not respond to a request for comment from The Hill.
Lowe’s joins fellow retailers Tractor Supply and John Deere in ending some diversity measures. Motorcycle conglomerate Harley-Davidson has also scaled back its DEI policies, though the company has said it has not “operated a DEI function since April 2024.”
A growing number of anti-DEI activists have called for consumers to boycott companies promoting such policies.
Conservative political commentator Robby Starbuck on Monday took credit for the changes Lowe’s made, writing in a post on the social platform X that he had reached out to a Lowe’s executive last week with plans to “expose” the company over its hiring policies, LGBTQ+ employee resource groups and funding for Pride events.
Lowe’s denied these claims, according to The Associated Press.