PepsiCo Engages with Civil Rights Leaders in Strategic DEI Push
PepsiCo has taken a high-profile step in reinforcing its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) commitments, meeting with Rev. Al Sharpton and other civil rights leaders in New York to discuss the company’s ongoing DEI efforts and supplier diversity strategies. The engagement signals PepsiCo’s intention to strengthen ties with underrepresented communities and respond to growing pressure for corporate accountability in DEI.
The meeting featured Rev. Al Sharpton, National Action Network leadership, executives from several Black- and Brown-owned suppliers, and key PepsiCo representatives. The forum addressed the company’s DEI progress and challenges, evaluated supplier diversity initiatives, and explored opportunities to enhance access for minority-owned businesses across PepsiCo’s extensive value chain.
“Our objective is to ensure equitable opportunities for diverse suppliers and long-term partnerships that drive economic equity,” said Tina Bigalke, PepsiCo’s Global Chief Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer. The company highlighted programs designed to improve supplier participation from underrepresented backgrounds, including its longstanding commitment to Black- and Hispanic-owned businesses.
PepsiCo also emphasized its ties to minority communities through initiatives like its $570 million Racial Equality Journey, which supports education, workforce readiness, and economic empowerment for Black and Hispanic Americans. During the meeting, Sharpton challenged corporate America to move beyond statements and toward measurable impact: “We want to see receipts—not just promises,” he said.
The dialogue follows renewed scrutiny within the FMCG industry over how diversity targets translate into supplier contracts, hiring practices, and consumer engagement. For brands competing in multicultural markets, equitable sourcing and inclusive partnerships are increasingly key to long-term growth and reputation management.
Industry observers say PepsiCo’s move to hold transparent conversations with community leaders may set a precedent. “As FMCG companies navigate cultural expectations and evolving stakeholder demands, aligning DEI strategies to business operations is no longer optional—it’s a reputational imperative,” said one analyst familiar with DEI benchmarking.
With an increasing number of retailers and CPG brands embedding DEI goals into procurement policies and marketing strategies, the outcome of such conversations could shape broader industry standards. PepsiCo’s collaboration with civil rights leaders aims to drive tangible change and maintain consumer trust across demographics.