Target plans to increase Black workforce by 20% over next 3 years

In an effort to expand representation, Target plans to increase its number of Black employees by 20% over the next three years.

As part of a diversity report released Thursday, the Minneapolis-based retailer stated it "has had diversity and inclusion goals for many years" and that its current report shows more work is needed.

To accomplish this, Target stated it plans to provide broader leadership options for Black employees to advance; develop programs to hire and retain Black employees in areas with low representation, such as technology, data science, merchandising and marketing; increase the company’s network of mentors and sponsors to build career advancement opportunities; ensure company benefits and partnerships promote wellness and safety for Black employees; and conduct anti-racist training to increase education among all employees.

"The changes we’re making are going to have a meaningful impact on the careers of our Black team members and prospective team members," Kiera Fernandez, vice president of human resources and chief diversity and inclusion officer, said in a statement. "A diverse and inclusive team at Target is one where there’s equity in how we promote, retain and hire team members. Additional leadership development, training programs and mentorship for our Black team members, along with a focus in areas of the business where our Black representation is not as strong, will offer new career development opportunities for our team for years to come."

Meanwhile, according to the retailer’s Workforce Diversity Report, which is based on information collected in 2019, of the company’s nearly 350,000 employees, 50% are people of color and 58% are women.

Additionally, women comprise 42% of the company’s Leadership Team and people of color comprise 24% of that team.

According to the report, nearly half of those on Target’s Board of Directors are Latinx or Black and women comprise a third of the board.

More than half of Target’s stores are managed by women and a third are managed by people of color, the company stated.