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A big box retailer’s decision to double down on DEI made more sense after a closer look at one board member’s advocacy.
“If you’ve been reading my columns…you already know…”
Auto companies, restaurants and universities have been among the myriad of entities whose adherence to the woke zeitgeist had faltered amid pushback from consumers. However, where others had bucked biases in favor of their bottom line, Costco defended DEI as one board member, Jeff Raikes, had long been a public proponent of the Marxist agenda.
Writing for Forbes in June, Raikes, once CEO of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, had pushed for standards to make DEI work for companies as others were readily dropping the divisive policies over boycotts.
“If you’ve been reading my columns here at Forbes over the years, you already know that I, like most Americans, believe that diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs are good for business, good for workers of all races and genders, and good for the country,” he argued. “I also believe — especially since some opportunistic politicians have been trying to frighten and divide us by making DEI a dirty word — that business leaders have a critical role to play in standing up for racial justice and moving the country forward together.”
Having been a member of the board of directors since 2008, Raikes frequently sounded off on his favor for DEI, contending in October while sharing a warning from two prominent black business leaders on abandoning the initiatives, “Ken Frazier and Ken Chenault are making it clear–#DEI isn’t just the right thing to do; it’s essential for driving innovation and business success. Scaling back DEI efforts weakens companies’ ability to grow, innovate, and connect with diverse markets.”
Similarly, in November, he’d leveled that attacking DEI was the problem and not the policies that abandoned merit-based initiatives as he wrote on social media, “Attacks on DEI aren’t just bad for business–they hurt our economy. A diverse workforce drives innovation, expands markets, and fuels growth. Let’s focus on building a future where all talent thrives.”
As had been reported, ahead of their upcoming shareholder vote on Jan. 23, Costco’s board had said, “Our success at Costco Wholesale has been built on service to our critical stakeholders: employees, members, and suppliers. Our efforts around diversity, equity, and inclusion follow our code of ethics: For our employees, these efforts are built around inclusion — having all of our employees feel valued and respected.”
“Our efforts at diversity, equity, and inclusion remind and reinforce with everyone at our Company the importance of creating opportunities for all,” they’d added in response to the National Center for Public Policy Research challenging the legality of their DEI program with regard to the Supreme Courts landmark ruling in the race-based affirmative action case of SFFA v. Harvard.
DEI wasn’t the only darling of Raikes who’d previously contributed $25,000 toward the establishment of the March for Our Lives rally in the days after the 2018 tragedy at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School.
Meanwhile, as Costco made waves as an exception to recent norms where the exposure had prompted a draw down of woke policies, DEI scalp-taker Robby Starbuck had noted that he was not part of the move against the retailer.
“Lots of people have asked me about @Costco doubling down on DEI. Let me explain the plan here… To be clear, I had nothing to do with the shareholder proposal that was made to get them to back away from DEI,” he wrote in part boasting a 100% flip rate.
Suggesting he’d “eventually get to Costco,” Starbuck added as others sounded off, “For now I suggest conservative consumers find other places to spend their money if Costco is so dedicated to doubling down on DEI. If they’re smart, Costco will do right by their shareholders and change before we turn our attention on them.”
Lots of people have asked me about @Costco doubling down on DEI. Let me explain the plan here… To be clear, I had nothing to do with the shareholder proposal that was made to get them to back away from DEI. We’ve had no talks with the company. Our projects still have a 100% flip… pic.twitter.com/WUdw3fnnwG
— Robby Starbuck (@robbystarbuck) December 30, 2024
I just checked, my membership is up for renewal Jan, not Feb. I’m literally going tonight to spend my 2024 rewards and won’t renew until you’ve helped them think through this.
Goodbye @Costco. I’m a 10K customer.
— Andromeda (@AndromedaAMDG) December 30, 2024
Just won’t shop at Costco. If millions join, it’ll go out of business. You’re about to get a lot more of these comments.
— Truethslueth (@Truethslueth) January 7, 2025
I was contemplating joining Costco but you made my decision for me . No thanks ↔️ DEI is discrimination – hire on basis of qualifications NOT ethnicity, gender or creed . Will spend my money elsewhere
— Deb L (@dlitz61) January 7, 2025
Hurting the pocketbook is the only way. The shareholders will have to pressure. Costco has gotten away with a lot of woke nonsense with their customers for several years. They think it’d not going to cost them much in the long run. It’s going to take a serious commitment
— NOT ms_knowital (@NOTms_knowital) December 31, 2024
Time to give Costco the Bud Light treatment
— Nope (@CrazyEndTime) January 7, 2025
Native of Brooklyn, NY, Kevin Haggerty is a graduate of Hunter College where he studied Cultural Anthropology and Geography. An avid reader and truth seeker, he currently resides in Texas with his wife and their dog and, when he isn’t researching current events and their impacts, you’ll find him spending time with friends and family or working on his next novel.
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