What happened
On June 5, 2020, Walmart published a letter from CEO Doug McMillon saying the company and foundation would commit $100 million over five years to a new center on racial equity, aimed at finance, health, education, and criminal justice. Walmart later wrote that the Center was launched to address outcome gaps experienced by Black and African American people. That was a company philanthropic pledge after nationwide protests over George Floyd’s murder.
Walmart later wrote that the Center fulfilled its commitment in June 2025. That is Walmart’s description of its own program. This file does not independently audit the $100 million in grants.
On November 25, 2024, CNN reported Walmart would end racial-equity training, review supplier-diversity programs, and not extend the Center. The company framed the shift as “belonging.” CNN reported that conservative activist Robby Starbuck took credit for many of the changes; that remains his claim.
The Cookout read
Mixed. A five-year, $100 million pledge aimed at Black outcome gaps is on the record. So is the later choice not to extend that center. Do not collapse “we finished the five years” into “the work continues.”