PepsiCo to Meet with Al Sharpton Amid DEI Criticism and Boycott Warning
PepsiCo is set to meet with civil rights leader Rev. Al Sharpton following concerns over its commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. The move comes after Sharpton and other civil rights activists signaled a potential boycott due to recent reports suggesting that the company had scaled back internal DEI efforts.
Sharpton, founder of the National Action Network, publicly challenged PepsiCo and other major corporations over what he described as a retreat from earlier promises to support racial equity—especially following the 2020 protests that prompted widespread pledges for social justice reform across corporate America.
“It is troubling to see companies that made concrete commitments to diversity and inclusion quietly roll them back,” said Sharpton in a statement. “If they do not invest meaningfully in equity, they will face accountability from the consumers they serve.”
PepsiCo, whose brand portfolio includes Pepsi, Frito-Lay, Gatorade, and Quaker, has stated that it remains committed to DEI. In response to the letter from Sharpton and other advocacy groups, the company confirmed that a meeting has been scheduled to address the concerns.
Since 2020, PepsiCo has publicly invested over $400 million in racial equality initiatives, including supplier diversity, community partnerships, and internal hiring programs. However, recent scrutiny by conservative legal and political groups in the U.S. has led several large corporations, including PepsiCo, to reconsider the visibility and structure of their DEI programs.
This challenge is emblematic of broader tensions in the FMCG industry, as brands balance profitability, public image, and political pressures. While some companies are facing lawsuits alleging reverse discrimination or politically motivated hiring practices, others are grappling with growing consumer expectations around corporate responsibility.
The outcome of the forthcoming meeting with Sharpton could signal whether PepsiCo will reinforce or pivot from its DEI strategies. For FMCG leaders, the situation underscores the increasing complexity of stakeholder management—where brand equity, consumer loyalty, and social commitments intersect.