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NEW YORK (AP) — Walmart's sweeping rollback of its diversity policies is the strongest indication yet of a profound shift taking hold at U.S. companies that are revaluating the legal and political risks associated with bold programs to bolster historically underrepresented groups in business. The changes announced by the world's biggest retailer followed a string of legal victories by conservative groups that have filed an onslaught of lawsuits challenging corporate and federal programs aimed at elevating minority and women-owned businesses and employees. The risk associated with some of programs crystalized with the election of former President Donald Trump, whose administration is certain to make dismantling diversity, equity and inclusion programs a priority. Trump's incoming deputy chief of policy will be his former adviser Stephen Miller , who leads a group called America First Legal that has aggressively challenged corporate DEI policies. “There has been a lot of reassessment of risk looking at programs that could be deemed to constitute reverse discrimination,” said Allan Schweyer, principal researcher the Human Capital Center at the Conference Board. “This is another domino to fall and it is a rather large domino,” he added. Among other changes, Walmart said it will no longer give priority treatment to suppliers owned by women or minorities. The company also will not renew a five-year commitment for a racial equity center set up in 2020 after the police killing of George Floyd. And it pulled out of a prominent gay rights index . Schweyer said the biggest trigger for companies making such changes is simply a reassessment of their legal risk exposure, which began after U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling in June 2023 that ended affirmative action in college admissions. Since then, conservative groups using similar arguments have secured court victories against various diversity programs, especially those that steer contracts to minority or women-owned businesses. Most recently, the conservative Wisconsin Institute for Law & Liberty won a victory in a case against the U.S. Department of Transportation over its use of a program that gives priority to minority-owned businesses when it awards contracts. Companies are seeing a big legal risk in continuing with DEI efforts, said Dan Lennington, a deputy counsel at the institute. His organization says it has identified more than 60 programs in the federal government that it considers discriminatory, he said. “We have a legal landscape within the entire federal government, all three branches -- the U.S. Supreme Court, the Congress and the President -- are all now firmly pointed in the direction towards equality of individuals and individualized treatment of all Americans, instead of diversity, equity and inclusion treating people as members of racial groups,” Lennington said. The Trump administration is also likely to take direct aim at DEI initiatives through executive orders and other policies that affect private companies, especially federal contractors. “The impact of the election on DEI policies is huge. It can’t be overstated,” said Jason Schwartz, co-chair of the Labor & Employment Practice Group at law firm Gibson Dunn. With Miller returning to the White House, rolling back DEI initiatives is likely to be a priority, Schwartz said. “Companies are trying to strike the right balance to make clear they’ve got an inclusive workplace where everyone is welcome, and they want to get the best talent, while at the same time trying not to alienate various parts of their employees and customer base who might feel one way or the other. It’s a virtually impossible dilemma,” Schwartz said. A recent survey by Pew Research Center showed that workers are divided on the merits of DEI policies. While still broadly popular, the share of workers who said focusing on workplace diversity was mostly a good thing fell to 52% in the November survey, compared to 56% in a similar survey in February 2023. Rachel Minkin, a research associated at Pew called it a small but significant shift in short amount of time. There will be more companies pulling back from their DEI policies, but it likely won’t be a retreat across the board, said David Glasgow, executive director of the Meltzer Center for Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging at New York University. “There are vastly more companies that are sticking with DEI," Glasgow said. "The only reason you don’t hear about it is most of them are doing it by stealth. They’re putting their heads down and doing DEI work and hoping not to attract attention.” Glasgow advises organizations to stick to their own core values, because attitudes toward the topic can change quickly in the span of four years. “It’s going to leave them looking a little bit weak if there’s a kind of flip-flopping, depending on whichever direction the political winds are blowing,” he said. One reason DEI programs exist is because without those programs, companies may be vulnerable to lawsuits for traditional discrimination. “Really think carefully about the risks in all directions on this topic,” Glasgow said. Walmart confirmed will no longer consider race and gender as a litmus test to improve diversity when it offers supplier contracts. Last fiscal year, Walmart said it spent more than $13 billion on minority, women or veteran-owned good and service suppliers. It was unclear how its relationships with such business would change going forward. Organizations that that have partnered with Walmart on its diversity initiatives offered a cautious response. The Women’s Business Enterprise National Council, a non-profit that last year named Walmart one of America's top corporation for women-owned enterprises, said it was still evaluating the impact of Walmart's announcement. Pamela Prince-Eason, the president and CEO of the organization, said she hoped Walmart's need to cater to its diverse customer base will continue to drive contracts to women-owned suppliers even if the company no longer has explicit dollar goals. “I suspect Walmart will continue to have one of the most inclusive supply chains in the World,” Prince-Eason wrote. “Any retailer's ability to serve the communities they operate in will continue to value understanding their customers, (many of which are women), in order to better provide products and services desired and no one understands customers better than Walmart." Walmart's announcement came after the company spoke directly with conservative political commentator and activist Robby Starbuck, who has been going after corporate DEI policies, calling out individual companies on the social media platform X. Several of those companies have subsequently announced that they are pulling back their initiatives, including Ford , Harley-Davidson, Lowe’s and Tractor Supply . Walmart confirmed to The Associated Press that it will better monitor its third-party marketplace items to make sure they don’t feature sexual and transgender products aimed at minors. The company also will stop participating in the Human Rights Campaign’s annual benchmark index that measures workplace inclusion for LGBTQ+ employees. A Walmart spokesperson added that some of the changes were already in progress and not as a result of conversations that it had with Starbuck. RaShawn “Shawnie” Hawkins, senior director of the HRC Foundation’s Workplace Equality Program, said companies that “abandon” their commitments workplace inclusion policies “are shirking their responsibility to their employees, consumers, and shareholders.” She said the buying power of LGBTQ customers is powerful and noted that the index will have record participation of more than 1,400 companies in 2025.Just When We Thought Bill Clinton Was Making Sense, He Came Out As A Swiftie
CLEVELAND (AP) — An injury-riddled season for Browns left tackle Jedrick Wills Jr. is over. His days with Cleveland may have ended as well. Wills was placed on injured reserve Saturday with a lingering right knee injury that could lead to him undergoing another surgery. A first-round draft pick in 2020, Wills, who has been inconsistent when healthy, is scheduled to become a free agent after the season. The Browns (3-9) have just five games left, starting w (9-3) on Sunday. Wills is required to spend at least four games on IR, so it’s safe to assume he won’t play again in 2024. As for where he’ll be next season, that’s anyone’s guess. Before bussing to Pittsburgh, the Browns also placed defensive tackle Maurice Hurst II (ankle) on IR and signed wide receivers Michael Woods II and Kadarius Toney to the active roster from the practice squad. Wills was benched earlier this season in favor of second-year tackle Dawand Jones. Wills, who had surgery on his knee in December, also c e a “business decision” to sit out a game because he was hurt and didn’t think he could help the team. The Browns didn’t give Wills a contract extension before this season, a sign they were likely moving on without him. Wills started 57 games in five seasons with Cleveland, which selected the former Alabama standout with the No. 10 overall pick in 2020. Wills has had flashes of being a productive player, but there have long been questions about his desire to play. Hurst got injured in Monday night’s loss in Denver. He made two starts and appeared in eight games. ___ NFL:Trump, Zelensky, Macron Discuss "Crazy" World In Paris, the son of , is one of the most coveted prospects in the draft, with many analysts predicting he could be a Top 5 pick. Some even believe he has a shot at going No. 1 overall. As his draft stock rises, recently made headlines for a statement that got NFL fans talking. While attending a ceremony in Las Vegas, where he accepted the 2024 Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award, Sanders stood side-by-side with and sent a clear message. "Now I just need you to do one thing," noted. "I need you to draft those boys next year." The crowd responded with cheers, and Pierce playfully replied, "Where they at? Where they at?" This lighthearted exchange has fueled speculation that Shedeur could be bound for Las Vegas, especially with the currently holding the No. 2 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. Raiders could land Shedeur Sanders in 2025 With a 2-10 record, the are currently on track to secure a Top 5 pick in the upcoming draft. While the draft order is still subject to change as the season progresses, the are in prime position to select a future franchise quarterback. 's production on the field speaks for itself. Through 12 games this season, he has thrown for an impressive 3,926 yards, 35 touchdowns and just eight interceptions. His commitment to his Colorado teammates has also earned him widespread respect. While many top prospects sit out of bowl games to avoid risking injury before the draft, Shedeur has made it clear that he'll be suiting up for the ' upcoming bowl game. "It's a team thing," explained. "If me and T (Colorado two-way star ) and a couple other players aren't out there, the aren't going to look the same. We understand the pieces we are to the team, the leaders we are overall, and the amount of players that would sit out if we weren't out there doing it."
Ralph DeLuca has carved out a rare niche for himself as the go-to art adviser of Hollywood’s A-list. The no-nonsense New Jersey native is on first-name terms with most major gallerists and counts blue-chip celebrity collectors like Sylvester Stallone and Leonardo DiCaprio as clients as well as friends. Other top-tier advisees include Martin Scorsese, Quentin Tarantino and Steven Spielberg and Kate Capshaw. If you’re heading to the Dec. 6-8 Art Basel, keep an eye out for him: He’s the bushy eyebrowed, shaven-headed force of nature squiring boldfaced names to the best booths in the fair. DeLuca, 47, started out on Wall Street before pivoting to collectibles more than 20 years ago. It was legendary dealer Tony Shafrazi who suggested he upgrade to art. DeLuca proved a natural: curious, unflappable and direct. “I don’t have a formal education. I come from nothing. But I have my reputation,” he says. “At the end of the day, we’re collecting stuff, not curing cancer. Art is very important, but we’re not changing the world.” Now based in Las Vegas, he’s one of the key supporters of LACMA’s looming satellite there. But he retains his close connections to Hollywood, earning his clients’ trust by advising them not only on what to buy, but also on how not to get hoodwinked. “With a celebrity art collector,” he says, “they can get totally exploited by an art adviser or dealer — I’ve seen that happen a lot.” Here are his Ten Commandments for any Hollywoodite keen to follow the DeLuca playbook. 1. Rules Are Rules “Just because you’re rich and famous doesn’t mean the rules of the art world don’t apply to you,” DeLuca says. Many Hollywood A-listers, he says, “don’t understand why, if they can call and get a private jet to Bora Bora from the chairman of the airline in a minute, they can’t buy work from a 24-year-old artist who’s two years out of school and painting with his feet.” Even household names need to earn the respect of a gallerist or dealer and put in face time at their booths or shopfronts. If you expect to simply snap up whatever you want, when you want it, expect to become familiar with the phrase “We’re taking indications of interest.” “You have to manage a client’s expectations and help them understand that a lot of people are asking for the same works, and galleries don’t place them right away. The more involved you are, the better access you get,” he says. “I’m only as good as my worst-behaving client. For me to make the phone call, I’d have to vet that client and school them in the rules for a while.” A strong gallery relationship, of course, unlocks better access to emerging work fresh from the artist’s studio, at which stage pricing will likely be much more favorable. “I am very selective when buying emerging work, which I buy for myself and my clients only in the primary market,” he says, referring to artworks that are being sold for the first time. “It’s important for collectors to care about and support young artists and galleries but with the proviso that they do their research — or hire someone.” 2. Use Your Fame Wisely Patronage today involves deploying your own renown to help burnish the reputation of whoever you collect. The more you’re willing to say you own a work, or post a picture of it on social media, the better access you’ll get. “Sylvester Stallone is the perfect example of this,” says DeLuca. “He loves to get the artist on the phone, and he’s Instagrammed studio visits and things he’s bought and loved. He has a huge social media following, and it trickles down. It’s good for the ecosystem.” Galleries and artists cozy up to celebrities and tech barons for much the same reason. “They have these amazing parties, their homes get photographed — everyone from the Dalai Lama down has been to Leo DiCaprio’s house. It’s better that a painting is on their wall as opposed to a museum in Miami or Wisconsin.” 3. Buy on Instinct, Not on an Interior Designer’s Say-So Don’t fret over where a piece might be installed or if it matches the decor: “A real collector never worries about wall space. You can move stuff out when your tastes change.” 4. Stay Loyal Sure, assess a few advisers up front and see whose style and taste best fit your own, but once you choose one, don’t diversify. “Do not ask 40 people to chase after the same thing for you,” warns DeLuca. “It creates fake demand and makes you look like a trophy hunter and a flipper.” 5. See Art for Yourself ... “Go and see as much art in person as you can,” says DeLuca. “We’ve gotten complacent, and lazy, because we can buy on our phone or by FaceTiming the dealer. That’s a mistake, and it backfires. You need to understand the texture, the tonality, the tactileness of a work in person.” 6. ... but Approach Art Fairs With Caution “Celebrities get accosted at art fairs. People come up and ask for autographs, and you might just be standing there looking at something, a Warhol or whatever, and it gets out that you bought the painting,” he says, citing unauthorized shots from Art Basel Miami Beach that showed DeLuca with client DiCaprio last year. “You’re surrounded by 50,000 douchebags who want to go look at art and take selfies in front of a Twombly.” The rare exception: Art Basel’s OG fair in Switzerland. “It’s different and much more about the art. But celebrities have crazy schedules and don’t all have the time to go to Europe for a fair like that.” 7. Beware the BOGO The new gimmick whereby a gallerist will offer to sell a certain artwork as long as the buyer snaps up another one on behalf of a museum or institution is an unwelcome development, says DeLuca. Such practices, he notes, amount to creative blackmail by “force-feeding a museum to take a donation so the gallerist can tell the artist they got them into one. It’s not creating stewardship or patronage.” The exception: if a blue-chip institution asks for help acquiring a specific artwork. “Say Michael Govan at LACMA calls me up and says, ‘We want XYZ painting and we’re X dollars short.’ I would be happy to approach a client and work with the gallery.” 8. Resist the FOMO An adviser’s job is often to tell clients what to buy. DeLuca recalls walking around an art fair with a well-known, wealthy collector and discouraging him from buying almost everything he considered. “He had FOMO running around the art fair, so excited, like a kid in a candy store, because everyone was talking about needing to own this or that. In six months’ time, he would have said, ‘Why did I buy this?’ Keep your ears open, but don’t buy with them. Buy with your eyes and the opinion of your adviser.” It’s much harder to offload an artwork than a more fungible investment. “Going back to the gallery is a difficult conversation, because art is hard to buy and hard to sell. It’s not liquid like stocks.” Case in point: DeLuca has been working with a new client for more than six months — and has not yet transacted a single piece. The fact that so many folks were listening rather than looking is one major reason for the current slump in the secondary market for emerging art, he adds: “A lot of collectors were focusing too much on the social aspects of art collecting.” 9. Collecting Is Personal Ask an adviser about their own collection — but not to check their taste. “This is one business where you get high on your own supply,” says DeLuca. “It’s easy to spend other people’s money, but it’s important that the art adviser collects themselves.” It’s a lesson DeLuca learned from his mentor, storied adviser Todd Levin. Advisers may not have pockets as deep as those of A-list celebrities, of course, but they should be participating in the art economy, and at a similar percentage as they’d expect their clients to take. 10. Art’s a Business, Too “If you suggest money doesn’t play into this at all, you’re really blowing smoke up your own ass,” he scoffs. “[Art] is an asset class, and when it appreciates, you’re happy.” One sector DeLuca is watching closely on this front: Indigenous and Native American artists, where he’s seeing a surge in interest and support. But it’s important not to lose sight of art’s intrinsic worth. DeLuca often tells clients to ask themselves a difficult question: “Do I love this enough to want to live with it in perpetuity even if it does not increase — or even decreases — in dollar value over time?” . THR Newsletters Sign up for THR news straight to your inbox every day More from The Hollywood Reporter
AES Corp. stock outperforms competitors on strong trading dayBelieve it or not, Cowboys might have hope yet after chaotic win at Washington FRISCO, Texas (AP) — A rare win as a double-digit underdog came just in time to let the Dallas Cowboys believe their playoff hopes aren't completely gone in 2024. Schuyler Dixon, The Associated Press Nov 25, 2024 2:19 PM Nov 25, 2024 2:35 PM Share by Email Share on Facebook Share on X Share on LinkedIn Print Share via Text Message Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy answers questions during a press conference after an NFL football game against the Washington Commanders, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024, in Landover, Md. The Cowboys won 34-26. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough) FRISCO, Texas (AP) — A rare win as a double-digit underdog came just in time to let the Dallas Cowboys believe their playoff hopes aren't completely gone in 2024. Cooper Rush probably will need three more victories in a row filling in for the injured Dak Prescott for any postseason talk to be realistic. The thing is, the Cowboys (4-7) could be favored in two of those games, and already are by four points as an annual Thanksgiving Day host against the New York Giants (2-9) on Thursday, according to BetMGM. Not to mention the losing record at the moment for each of the next four opponents for the defending NFC East champions, playoff qualifiers each of the past three seasons. The Cowboys have a chance to make something of the improbable and chaotic 34-26 win at Washington that ended a five-game losing streak. “Behind the eight ball,” Micah Parsons said, the star pass rusher acknowledging the reality that Dallas hadn't done much yet. “Let’s see how we can handle adversity and see if we can make a playoff run. But we got a long way to go.” It was a start, though, powered in part by the best 55 minutes from the Dallas defense since the opener, when the Cowboys dismantled Cleveland and looked the part of a Super Bowl contender. The last five minutes for the Dallas defense against the Commanders looked a lot like most of the nine games after that 33-17 victory over the Browns. Which is to say not very good. Jayden Daniels easily drove Washington 69 yards to a touchdown before throwing an 86-yard scoring pass in the final seconds to Terry McLaurin, who weaved through five defenders when a tackle might have ended the game. The Cowboys kept a 27-26 lead thanks to Austin Seibert's second missed extra point, and withstood another blunder when Juanyeh Thomas returned an onside kick recovery for a TD rather than slide and leave one kneel-down from Rush to end the game. Dallas will have to remember it did hold a dynamic rookie quarterback's offense to 251 yards before the madness of the ending in the Cowboys' biggest upset victory since 2010 at the New York Giants. That one was too late to save the season. This one might not be. “We needed it,” embattled coach Mike McCarthy said. “It’s been frustrating, no doubt. We’ve acknowledged that. We’ve got another one right around the corner here, so we have to get some wins and get some momentum.” What's working Rush ended a personal three-game losing streak with his best showing since the previous time he won as the replacement for Prescott, who is out for the season after surgery for a torn hamstring. The 117.6 passer rating was Rush's best as a starter, and the NFL's second-worst rushing attack played a solid complementary role with Rico Dowdle gaining 86 yards on 19 carries. What needs help KaVontae Turpin's electrifying 99-yard kickoff return did more than lift the Cowboys when it appeared an 11-point lead might get away in the final five minutes. It eased the worst day of special teams for Dallas since John Fassel took over that phase four years ago. Suddenly struggling kicker Brandon Aubrey had one field-goal attempt blocked and missed another. Bryan Anger had a punt blocked. For the second time in five games, Aubrey's attempt to bounce a kickoff in front of the return man backfired. The ball bounced outside the landing zone, putting the Commanders at the 40-yard line to start the second half and setting up the drive to the game's first touchdown. Stock up CB Josh Butler, whose NFL debut earlier this season came five years after the end of his college career, had 12 tackles, a sack and three pass breakups. The pass breakups were the most by an undrafted Dallas player since 1994. Stock down Rookie LT Tyler Guyton, who has had an up-and-down season with injuries and performance issues, was benched immediately after getting called for a false start in the fourth quarter. His replacement, Asim Richards, could be sidelined with a high ankle sprain that executive vice president of personnel Stephen Jones revealed on his radio show Monday. Veteran Chuma Edoga, who was the projected starter at Guyton's position before a preseason toe injury, was active but didn't play against the Commanders. He's awaiting his season debut. Injuries The status of perennial All-Pro RG Zack Martin (ankle/shoulder) and LG Tyler Smith (ankle/knee) will be a question on the short week after both sat against Washington. Stephen Jones indicated Smith could be available and said the same of WR Brandin Cooks, who hasn't played since Week 4 because of a knee issue. TE Jake Ferguson may miss at least a second week with a concussion. The short week might make it tough for CB Trevon Diggs (groin/knee) to return. Key number 75% — Rush's completion rate, his best with at least 10 passes. He was 24 of 32 for 247 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions. His other game with multiple TDs and no picks was a 25-10 victory over Washington two years ago, when he went 4-1 with Prescott sidelined by a broken thumb. Next steps There's some extra rest after the short week, with Cincinnati making a “Monday Night Football” visit on Dec. 9. The next road game is at Carolina on Dec. 15. ___ AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl Schuyler Dixon, The Associated Press See a typo/mistake? Have a story/tip? This has been shared 0 times 0 Shares Share by Email Share on Facebook Share on X Share on LinkedIn Print Share via Text Message Get your daily Victoria news briefing Email Sign Up More Football (NFL) Lions receiver Jameson Williams won't be charged for having a gun in a car Nov 25, 2024 2:29 PM The Giants were a no-show against the Bucs after releasing quarterback Daniel Jones Nov 25, 2024 2:26 PM Jayden Daniels and the offense stalling have the Commanders on a three-game losing streak Nov 25, 2024 2:16 PMUConn's Dan Hurley Blames 'S--ty Calls' for Loss to Memphis; Technical Foul a 'Joke'
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