Home improvement giant Lowe’s has eliminated some of its diversity, equity and inclusion programs, becoming the latest U.S. company to change such policies aimed at improving racial and ethnic representation.
Lowe’s will no longer participate in an investigation by transgender rights group Human Rights Campaign and will consolidate its various business resource groups representing a diverse workforce into one umbrella organization, according to an internal memo seen by Reuters on Monday.
The memo, confirmed by a company spokesperson, said the company does not sponsor or participate in community events such as parades, festivals or fairs, and that it may further change its policy in the future.
Over the past few years, companies including JPMorgan Chase have faced greater backlash from conservatives over their diversity efforts, which grew after widespread protests in 2020 following the police killing of George Floyd and other Black Americans.
The protests focused on racial and gender inequality in corporate leadership.
Since 2021, some companies have received public shareholder letters alleging that their DEI programs are unlawfully discriminatory and violate directors’ duties to investors.
Opponents of diversity policies are also inspired by a June 2023 U.S. Supreme Court ruling that struck down affirmative action in college admissions.
Lowe’s also began reviewing its diversity and inclusion programs around the same time, according to the memo.
