NEW YORK, USA – A growing wave of economic resistance is sweeping across the United States, with members of the Jamaican diaspora joining a nationwide boycott aimed at challenging corporate backpedaling on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) policies.
Organized by The People’s Union USA, the movement calls for a 24-hour spending halt, urging consumers to avoid major retailers such as Amazon, Walmart, and McDonald’s. Instead, participants are encouraged to support small, community-based businesses and minimize digital transactions to make an economic impact.
A Call to Economic Action
Dr. Allan Cunningham, former head of the Global Jamaica Diaspora Council for the southern U.S., is among those standing in solidarity. “If we don’t take action now, we risk losing decades of progress,” Cunningham stated.
Jamaican professionals across the country have echoed this sentiment, including retired real estate broker Juliet Mattadeen and Stafford Grant, president of the Ex-Service Men and Women of Jamaica organization in Pennsylvania.
“This is bigger than DEI—it’s about making sure our voices and contributions aren’t erased,” Grant said.
Mark Millward, founder of the Caribbean American Diaspora newspaper, highlighted the deeper significance of the boycott. “Money talks. If corporations value our spending power, they should also respect our communities.”
Corporate Accountability Under Scrutiny
The boycott comes in response to what organizers describe as a systematic dismantling of DEI initiatives, following recent shifts in corporate policies and government stance. While some companies have publicly reaffirmed their commitment to inclusion, activists argue that accountability must be reinforced through direct action.
The National Action Network (NAN), founded by civil rights leader Rev. Al Sharpton, has voiced its support for the movement, though it is not involved in the planning. “Economic pressure is a proven strategy,” said a NAN spokesperson. “Companies need to understand that equity in the workplace isn’t optional—it’s essential.”
The Road Ahead
This one-day boycott is just the beginning. The People’s Union USA has announced extended week-long boycotts targeting individual corporations, including Amazon (March 7-14), Nestlé (March 21-28), and Walmart (April 7-13).
With economic activism on the rise, the message from the Jamaican diaspora and other participating communities is clear: fair treatment and inclusion should not be negotiable. Through collective financial action, these groups aim to ensure that corporate America listens—and responds.
