House Call
Dr. Jamal H. Bryant’s Leadership at Chicago’s “Workers Over Billionaires” March Amplifies Target Boycott Movement
– On Labor Day, Dr. Jamal H. Bryant, Senior Pastor of New Birth Missionary Baptist Church in Stonecrest, GA, stood alongside AFT President Randi Weingarten and Chicago Teachers Union President Stacy Davis Gates in announcing nationwide union support for the Target boycott during Chicago’s historic “Workers Over Billionaires”march and rally.
The nationwide boycott—originally envisioned through the collaboration of Dr. Bryant, activist Tamika Mallory, and former Ohio State Senator Nina Turner—was first launched as the “Target Fast.” This grassroots movement has now grown into a national campaign, with the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) committing the collective power of its 1.8 million members to the cause.
Since Dr. Bryant first called for action, Target has experienced over $12 billion in sales lossesand the ousting of its CEO amid declining consumer confidence. With the AFT’s support, the movement is intensifying pressure on the retailer to:
- Fulfill its $2 billion pledge to the Black business community.
- Invest millions into 23 Black-owned banks.
- Establish 10 retail training centers at historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs); and
- Fully restore and recommit to its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) principles
Dr. Bryant’s prophetic voice continues to ground the movement in faith, justice, and the power of collective action:
“On this Labor Day, we honor the sweat, sacrifice, and struggle of working families whose hands have built this nation and whose voices must never be silenced. Together with educators and labor leaders, we declare that corporate America cannot dismantle diversity, equity, and inclusion without facing the collective power of a people who refuse to be erased. This movement is about protecting the dignity of work, the strength of families, and the soul of our democracy.” – Dr. Jamal H. Bryant
With the support of labor unions, educators, activists, and faith leaders, the Target boycott has become one of the most significant corporate accountability movements of this decade.
