On December 16, 2024, Candi Castleberry, serving as Amazon’s Vice President of Inclusive Experiences and Technology, released an internal memo sharing that the company intends to gradually discontinue and reassess certain DEI initiatives. This action includes “removing antiquated programs and resources” as a segment of Amazon’s continual strategy to tackle issues of representation and inclusion.
Castleberry elaborated that in recent years, Amazon has been evaluating its company-wide programs, all crafted to tackle distinct disparities. She stated that these initiatives aim to wrap up once their respective issues are resolved. The memo additionally highlighted the move towards developing programs that are “open to everyone” instead of letting separate groups initiate their own efforts.
Amazon targets the cessation of these “outdated” programs by the close of 2024, merging DEI efforts into the firm’s current processes for enhanced sustainability. The emphasis lies on nurturing an inclusivity culture that’s intrinsically woven into the company’s core, rather than being an additional endeavor.
This strategy coincides with a wider corporate movement among leading companies, such as Meta, McDonald’s, and Walmart, which have likewise reduced their DEI initiatives in recent years.
This approach aligns with a broader corporate trend among major companies, including Meta, McDonald’s, and Walmart, which have also scaled back their DEI initiatives in recent years.
Additionally, Amazon has updated its “Our Positions” page, consolidating explicit mentions of specific groups into broader statements on equity and inclusion. For instance, a section that previously stated, “Inequity in the treatment of Black people is unacceptable,” has been revised to, “We believe that inequitable treatment of any individual, including Black, LGBTQ+, Asian, women, and others, is unacceptable. We advocate for policies designed to eliminate barriers to equity and create an inclusive environment for all employees.”
These updates reflect Amazon’s goal of building more inclusive and effective programs that are embedded within the company’s core processes, replacing standalone initiatives.
