Diversity & Inclusion - Diversity can be a strength but also a weakness [1] - Friction among groups due to racism or anti-semitism can turn diversity into a weakness [2] - Zero tolerance for racism and anti-semitism is crucial to maintain diversity as a positive force [2] Management & Policy - It is important to actively work to ensure diversity remains a positive aspect [2]

Election day is just three days away and one of the most closely watched contests is a New York City mayoral race between New York City state New York State Assembly member and Democratic socialist Zoran Mdani and former governor Andrew Cuomo running as an independent and Republican guardian angels founder Curtis Leewa. Recent polling shows the race tightening slightly, but Mani still leads Cuomo and Siwa by double digits. Joining us now is former New York Governor and New York City mayoral candidate Andrew ...

Core Viewpoint - The Python Software Foundation (PSF) withdrew its grant proposal of $1.5 million from the National Science Foundation (NSF) due to conditions that conflicted with its core values of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) [1][5][10]. Group 1: Grant Proposal and Objectives - PSF submitted a proposal aimed at enhancing the security of the Python ecosystem, particularly focusing on improving supply chain protection for the Python Package Index (PyPI) [3]. - The project intended to develop new automated tools for proactive review of software packages uploaded to PyPI, moving away from the current reactive mechanisms [3][4]. - The proposal was led by PSF's security developer Seth Larson and involved extensive preparation and a challenging application process, with a success rate of only 36% for first-time NSF applicants [4]. Group 2: Conditions and Risks - The NSF's conditions required PSF to refrain from operating or promoting any DEI initiatives during the grant period, which raised significant concerns for PSF [5][6]. - Violating these conditions could result in NSF reclaiming the funds, posing a substantial financial risk to PSF, which operates on an annual budget of approximately $5 million [6][7]. Group 3: Decision and Community Response - After internal discussions, PSF unanimously decided to withdraw the grant application, prioritizing its core values over the financial support [10]. - The decision was supported by members of the community, emphasizing the importance of maintaining the foundation's mission and values [12]. - The situation highlights the ongoing challenge for open-source organizations in balancing funding opportunities with their foundational principles [11][12].

Core Insights - Target is emphasizing its partnership with the Russell Innovation Center for Entrepreneurs (RICE) to support Black small business founders, indicating a potential shift in strategy to rebuild relationships with communities that are integral to its brand identity [1][2]. Partnership in Focus - The collaboration with RICE includes funding initiatives for training emerging entrepreneurs in retail strategy and business scaling through the Retail Readiness Academy [2]. - Target's support extends to HBCU programs under the "HBCU, Always" series, aimed at connecting graduates with mentorship opportunities within the company [2]. Leadership Changes and Strategic Shifts - The announcement of the partnership comes after the resignation of CEO Brian Cornell, who oversaw the company's DEI expansion, including the $2 billion Racial Equity Action and Change (REACH) initiative [3]. - In January 2025, Target decided to end many DEI goals, citing a "realignment" of strategy towards "business neutrality" [3]. DEI Rollback and Its Consequences - The rollback of DEI initiatives led to a nationwide boycott organized by civil rights activists, which was particularly impactful during Black History Month [4][5]. - The boycott resulted in significant declines in store traffic, with concerns raised by Black business owners about the potential negative impact on their sales [5]. Financial Performance and Market Challenges - Target's sales have declined in 2025, with stock prices dropping 61% from their peak in 2021 [6]. - The company announced its first major layoffs in a decade, planning to cut 1,800 corporate jobs, attributing the decline to both consumer boycotts and competition from Amazon and Walmart [6]. Broader Corporate Trends - Target's situation reflects a wider trend in corporate America, where many companies are scaling back or rebranding their DEI programs amid changing political and cultural climates [7]. - By mid-2025, only a small number of Fortune 500 companies continued to publish detailed diversity reports, with many shifting to broader terms like "inclusion" or "corporate responsibility" [7].

Core Insights - Target has faced significant challenges in 2025, including economic pressures, changes in consumer behavior, high labor costs, inflation, and competition, but has also encountered unique obstacles related to its DEI initiatives and Pride products [1][3] Group 1: DEI Policy Changes - In January, Target made controversial cuts to its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies, including withdrawing from the Human Rights Campaign survey, which tracks LGBTQ+ corporate practices [2] - The decision led to consumer backlash, resulting in boycott threats, a decline in sales, and reduced foot traffic in stores [3] Group 2: Financial Performance - According to Target's Q10 filing for Q2 2025, net sales decreased by 0.9% year-over-year to $25.2 billion, while comparable sales fell by 1.9%, driven by a 1.3% drop in traffic and a 0.6% decrease in average transaction amounts [3] Group 3: New Initiatives - To regain customer trust, Target has begun testing the sale of THC-infused beverages in select liquor stores in Minnesota, marking a significant move for a retailer of its size [5][6] - Target is the first major retailer to enter the THC beverage market, which has been largely avoided by national chains, indicating a potential shift in industry dynamics [6]

So, what does it mean to be seen and heard. I learned the importance of this in one of the most unexpected places, prison. Imagine that for a second.I'm on remand waiting to be sentenced by the courts. I'm living in a 9 ft by 6 ft space. Bunk beds, window with bars that doesn't open, table, one chair, toilet in the corner, and the door.And I'm in this space from between 19 to 22 hours a day living with somebody I don't even know. My cellmate at the time was a practicing Muslim and he would pray five times a ...

[Applause] Welcome y'all. I'm Komas. I'm an artist, an educator, and a media studies scholar.And I say today, let's talk a little bit painterly. Let's talk about paint. We're going to start off talking about that black authoritarian paint that is boxing us all in right now.Because authoritarianism wants to put us in a box. It wants to simplify each and every one of us into a statistic, a binary, good or evil. But none of us exist in that binary.It's not even a spectrum. We're all a mix of many, many things. ...

RT Libs Hate Us (@LibsHateUs)You can't have a high trust society with diversity around. https://t.co/GMj56ITDaZ ...

It has been, Colonel Jack, quite a morning to say the least for the military. Have you ever seen a meeting like this before. I've never seen an assemblage of high ranking officers all in one spot ever.And I think it's never taken place before. I certainly not when I was serving starting in 1965, not during the Korean War, not even during the Second World War. uh where leaders were taken from all over the world from where they're supervising the defense of the republic in the far corners of the world put the ...

Group 1: OpenAI Valuation - OpenAI has been valued at $500 billion, surpassing SpaceX to become the world's most valuable startup [2][4] - The company finalized a share sale allowing current and former employees to sell stock worth $6.6 billion, with $10.3 billion authorized for future sales [3] Group 2: Infrastructure and Climate Funding - The Trump administration has frozen or canceled approximately $26 billion in funding for various infrastructure and climate projects in the U.S. due to the federal government shutdown [5][8] - About $18 billion in infrastructure projects in New York City, including the Hudson Tunnel Project and the Second Avenue Subway, are on hold pending a review for compliance with constitutional principles [6][7] - The Department of Energy announced the termination of 321 financial awards supporting 223 projects, resulting in savings of approximately $7.56 billion for taxpayers, citing inadequate advancement of national energy needs and lack of economic viability [9] Group 3: Amazon's New Product Line - Amazon has launched a new budget-friendly private label called Amazon Grocery, consolidating its Amazon Fresh and Happy Belly brands [10] - The new line features over 1,000 grocery items, mostly priced under $5 and rated at least 4 stars by customers, including staples like milk, olive oil, and produce [10]