Amazon is the latest company to pump the brakes on many of its DEI practices, joining a growing list of corporations re-evaluating their diversity and inclusion efforts amid rising public and legal scrutiny.
In a December 16th internal memo obtained by CNBC, Candi Castleberry, Amazon’s VP of inclusive experiences, announced the company was “winding down outdated programs and materials” as part of a broader review of its initiatives.
Castleberry explained that Amazon is shifting focus from individual group-driven programs to those with “proven outcomes,” with the aim of fostering a truly inclusive culture.
“Rather than have individual groups build programs, we are focusing on programs with proven outcomes,” she wrote.
The company has not disclosed which programs are being discontinued, but it continues to operate various employee resource groups and has set goals for increasing Black representation in leadership roles.
Other tech giants, like Meta, have also retreated from their DEI initiatives, ending approaches like equity-focused hiring and inclusion training programs. Similarly, companies like McDonald’s, Walmart, and Ford have adjusted their DEI efforts in response to the conservative backlash and the 2023 Supreme Court ruling against affirmative action.
Additionally, Amazon has revamped its “Our Positions” webpage, consolidating sections on diversity and inclusion into one paragraph, reflecting its streamlined approach. Amazon spokesperson Kelly Nantel noted that these updates ensure the company’s public stance aligns with evolving programs and positions.
Castleberry’s memo emphasized the importance of integrating inclusion into Amazon’s core processes, rather than maintaining separate, “bolted-on” programs.
