Target Corporate Social Responsibilities Report Page 7
As COVID-19 hit the United States this spring, we faced a lot of challenges simply to run the Target business, and we did more than just keep our doors open. We overhauled how we operate to make Target easier and safer to shop, as guests turned to us for food and essentials, as well as for supplies to create home offices and home classrooms. We invested in our team by increasing pay and expanding well-being benefits so team members would have everything they need to care for themselves and their families. And we quickly invested $10 million toward pandemic response efforts, with an emphasis on supporting organizations that reach vulnerable populations and underserved communities. Then, at the end of May, the murder of George Floyd by a police officer just a few miles from our downtown Minneapolis headquarters forced us to take a hard look at what Target stands for. We’ve been on a 15-year journey to build and refine Target’s diversity and inclusion strategy. While this work had helped us make substantial progress in a number of areas, many team members and guests made it clear to me that we needed to use the full power of the Target brand to support a broad-based movement against systemic racism in all of its forms. We began by committing to rebuild our stores damaged in the protests and listening to our communities to help ensure these stores don’t just reopen, but are a force for lasting good in the neighborhoods they serve. We also invested $10 million to help communities rebuild from this summer’s protests and support groups fighting for social justice and racial equity. And, in August, we launched the Racial Equity Action and Change (REACH) Committee. This group of Target leaders is tasked with guiding us as we work to help Black team members grow and advance in their careers at Target, welcome Black guests into our stores, combat racial inequities
in our communities, and advocate for civic engagement and public policy that addresses systemic racism, safety and police reform, economic and educational opportunity, and access to fair and safe voting. Our country faces unprecedented challenges that have fundamentally changed what it means to be a “good corporate citizen.” There are no easy answers or quick solutions. Our value is defined by more than just the earnings we report to Wall Street or the money we donate to philanthropic causes. Ultimately, we will be judged by the actions we take for our guests, our team and our community—every day. The Target team embraces this— because we know we can make a difference. With partners in our communities, we can meet this moment and help build a stronger, more prosperous and more equitable future for all.
Sincerely,
Chairman and CEO
