Shedeur Sanders Does Not Want Deion Sanders Visiting Cleveland Browns Training Camp
'I got to get to where I'm going.'
Former Colorado Buffaloes quarterback Shedeur Sanders has asked his father, Deion Sanders, not to visit him in training camp just yet, and he explained his reasoning to reporters recently.
At a recent press conference, the Cleveland Browns’ rookie shared that he is not where he wants to be as an NFL player. He wants his father to see him when he is in a better position as a professional quarterback in the league, and he wants his father to be proud of his progress.
“I look at it, at my own point of view,” Shedeur told the media. “I don’t want him coming to see me right now because I want to get to where I want to go, then for him to see me. I don’t want him to come and see me get a couple of reps, and he’s cheering like a good dad. Like, nah, you can’t be proud of me right now. I got to get to where I’m going, and I know it’s a lot I got to do to get there.”
He goes on to say that he wants to be focused as well, and since his father is Deion Sanders, he can become a distraction, and he doesn’t like that at this point. He does not want the media to create narratives and “take away from the team” due to his appearance.
“We know how the media, how everybody would take it, and it would take away from the team just from him being my own dad showing up. So, you know, it’s a gift and a curse at the same time.”
Shedeur is competing against three other quarterbacks for the starting position on the Browns roster. Currently, it is speculated that he is in the fourth spot behind Joe Flacco, Kenny Pickett, and Dillon Gabriel.
Clock This Tea: 8 Black-Owned Tea Brands To Sip & Chill
It’s always a good time to enjoy a good cup of Black-branded tea
There’s really never a wrong time to enjoy a good cup of Black-branded tea. From eye-opening bold flavors to those gentle herbal concoctions that help you drift off at night, these creative entrepreneurs have truly mastered the art of tea. Take a peek at these awesome tea brands that definitely deserve a spot in your kitchen cabinet. Your taste buds will thank you! BLACK ENTERPRISE put together a fantastic list of eight Black-owned tea companies, featuring some seriously delicious blends that are perfect for those moments when you need to unwind.
BLK & Bold
BLK & Bold Founders Pernell Cezar and Rod Johnson launched their tea biz in 2018. One of their signature teas, Chamomile CitrusSuper, is relaxing with just enough citrus zing to brighten your day. This tea brand is worth sipping because they’re not just selling amazing beverages — they’re actually making a difference! They donate 5% of their sales to support young people through various programs and job training initiatives. So, when you’re sipping on their premium teas, you can feel good knowing your purchase is helping build stronger communities.
Moy Bien Tea was founded in 2020 by the mother-daughter team of Faybein Moy and Jasmin-Ayana Moy. They’ve created some truly delightful signature blends, such as their refreshing Deshe (Green) Tea and the bold, flavorful Black Hebrew Blend herbal infusion. What makes their tea extra special? Beyond just tasting great, they’re pouring back into the community by donating 5% of every purchase to support at-risk youth. Each carefully crafted blend isn’t just about taste, it’s about inspiring people and boosting wellness in your daily cup!
Good Thoughts Tea Co. was born in 2014 when Founder Ebone’ McCloud decided to share her passion for healing herbs. Her signature blends include the mesmerizing Holy Wata — a soothing blue tea created to honor ancestors and open spiritual spaces. She also crafted a tea, Open Space, an energizing herbal blend that kick-starts your system while promoting whole-body wellness. Why sip on these special brews? Well, Good Thoughts isn’t just about tasty teas — they’re deeply focused on the natural healing power of herbs, helping you heal from your core.
Founded in 2006 by Brandi Shelton, Just Add Honey Tea Company serves up some truly mouth-watering blends. Ever tried their “Berries on the BeltLine?” It’s this amazing mix of spicy and sweet that’ll wake up your taste buds! Their Cacao tea is another knockout — so refreshing and invigorating with a rich chocolate flavor. What makes their teas special? Brandi draws inspiration from her travels and family traditions to create these fun, imaginative blends. You can really taste the love in every cup — each sip feels like a little moment of joy in your day. Trust me, these aren’t your average boring teas!
Hella Tea Oakland isn’t your average tea shop — it’s a loose-leaf tea company with serious hip-hop vibes. Founded in 2017 by Chantrelle Edwards, they’ve got some pretty unique signature blends. Its 93 ‘Til InfiniTEA is this amazing fruity mix that pays homage to Souls Of Mischief, while their E-4TEA will straight up wake you up with its Hella high caffeine content. What makes them special? They perfectly capture that Bay Area energy and blend it with old school hip-hop culture. It’s like sipping on nostalgia with a fresh Oakland twist!
Brooklyn Tea was born in 2017 when Alfonso “Ali” Wright and Jamila McGill decided to turn their passion for tea into something special. If you stop by their charming Bed-Stuy teahouse, you’ve got to try their signature blends! Well-kanda is incredibly refreshing with its smooth, sweet flavor that’ll have you coming back for more. Feeling stressed? Their All A Dream tea might be just what you need, with its lovely blend of ashwagandha and valerian root that’s perfect for unwinding after a long day. What makes the Brooklyn Tea brand truly unique is how they’ve created this warm community space. More than just serving great tea, they’ve created a place where people connect by steaming cups.
Black People Driving Texas Growth. Redistricting Will Stop Representation, PAC Leader Says
The proposed map could help Republicans pick up five more seats.
The political standoff in Texas between state Democrats and Republicans has escalated after more than 50 state Democratic lawmakers fled the state. At the center of the battle is President Donald Trump’s pursuit of five more congressional seats that could cost Democrats and help the GOP keep its slim control in the U.S. House.
In early July, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, a Republican and close Trump ally, added redistricting to the agenda for a special legislative session. Abbott cited concerns raised by the Department of Justice that four existing, Democratic-leaning districts are unconstitutional. But redistricting mid-decade is unprecedented and typically occurs every 10 years following the U.S. Census Bureau’s decennial census.
Texas state Democrats are MIA as Republican lawmakers try to push through a controversial redistricting bill. Over 50 state Democratic lawmakers left the state because, without a quorum, GOP lawmakers cannot move the bill through.
Jamarr Brown, executive director of the Color of Change PAC, says this battle the GOP lawmakers created is a ploy designed to dilute political power in Black and brown communities.
“This process that is happening in the mid-decade is not honoring the current demographic makeup of the state,” Brown, who also served as the executive director for the Texas Democratic Party, tells BLACK ENTERPRISE. “When you draw or redraw maps, you’re always supposed to draw that map based on population data. How can you do that when you did not participate in a census process to understand what that data is?”
Texas Is Growing. Black and Brown Communities Are Behind The Boom
One fact that both Texas Democrats and Republican lawmakers agree on is that Texas is one of the fastest-growing states in the country. The latest numbers as of 2024 show an estimated 31 million people living in the state. Texas’s population has grown by nearly 1.3 million people between 2020 and 2023, representing a 4.7% increase.
“We know that in the last census, 95% of the population growth in Texas was attributed to people of color, particularly Black and brown communities,” says Brown. “So, what lawmakers did was place a white majority district in Austin and one in Houston.”
According to Brown, this isn’t state lawmakers’ first rodeo with gerrymandering. In 2021, the new map reduced the number of districts where Black and Hispanic residents made up the majority of eligible voters. Currently, Republicans hold 25 of Texas’s 38 House seats compared to the Democrats’ 13. The proposed map could help Republicans pick up five more seats. This could mean that 30 of the state’s districts could favor Republicans, leaving Democrats with just eight.
“Interestingly enough, all of this happened after their ‘Big Ugly Bill’ passed by one vote in the House and passed by a tie breaker of the Vice President in the Senate,” says Brown. “Since they can’t gerrymander the Senate, the next place they go is to the U.S. House.”
He adds, “This all is a ploy to ensure that Donald Trump stays in power to continue to cause harm to communities, continue to pass policies that restrict people’s healthcare and access to food, education, and civil rights protections. This is what they released in their 900-page-long agenda, Project 2025.”
Texas Battle Comes Amid The Anniversary of the Voting Rights Act
The redistricting map battle in Texas comes on the heels of the anniversary of the Voting Rights Act of 1965. It’s been over 60 years since President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the landmark U.S. federal statute that prohibits racial discrimination in voting, on Aug. 6. The last time the Voting Rights Act was reinstated was by President George W. Bush in 2006.
Over the last few decades, both Republican and Democratic presidents have supported the federal statute. However, in 2013, the Supreme Court invalidated a key provision in the Voting Rights Act in Shelby County v. Holder. The Supreme Court’s ruling eliminated the “preclearance” requirement, which mandated that certain jurisdictions with a history of discrimination obtain federal approval before changing voting laws.
Brown says that since former President Barack Obama took office, Republicans have created a coordinated effort to create barriers for Black and brown voters.
“Follow the timeline. In 2010, all of a sudden, we needed voter ID laws. Later on, laws were passed to restrict early and absentee voting, and mail-in voting,” he says. “In Georgia, lawmakers made it illegal to give voters in line water or food […]That is the design of their strategy. It’s to weigh us down so much that we don’t fight and that we do feel powerless.”
Texas Democrats Likely Will Run the Clock Out on Special Session
It remains unclear how long Democratic state lawmakers will be able to stall. While Texas Republicans have the necessary votes to pass the redistricting bill, they need the presence of Democrats in the room to conduct business. The Texas House requires 100 members present. There are only 88 Republicans in the Texas House.
State Democrats will likely run the clock out on the current special session, which is slated to end on Aug. 19. However, Gov. Abbott has the authority to call special sessions until the bill goes through.
In the meantime, Brown is encouraging people to support Texas Democrats and donate to their cause because many of them hold second jobs due to Texas’s part-time legislative calendar. He also wants voters, especially those who are exhausted with actions under the Trump administration, to stay involved.
“What we need people nationwide to do is fight for independent maps, but we also need people to still vote in these elections,” he says. “When our voting performance decreases, it allows them to do what they’re doing now: take away two Black opportunity districts in Texas.”
Every third Thursday of the month, Brown’s organization, COC PAC, holds a “Squad Call” for people to express how they are feeling in that moment and to empower voters. It’s a space for Black and brown voters to vent frustrations and develop an action plan. For more information, visit www.votingwhileblack.com
The Gathering Spot Secures Spot As A Leader In Social Clubs With $30M Investment And Heavy-Hitting Support
Since opening their doors in 2016, TGS has created a space for entrepreneurs and creators to connect and innovate on the next best thing taking over the world.
After raising more than $30 million in funding, The Gathering Spot (TGS), the private membership club in Atlanta known for redefining networking and cultural engagement, is back on the map thanks to the support from some of the culture’s biggest heavy-hitters, according to a press release shared with BLACK ENTERPRISE.
Founders Ryan Wilson and TK Petersen have secured the hefty amount thanks to a group of investors, including ATL legends T.I. and Cam Newton, rapper Big Sean, NBA icons Charles Barkley and Baron Davis, and super producer Tricky Stewart — bringing the total of funds raised to $25 million in equity and $5 million in debt financing.
Since opening its doors in 2016, The Gathering Spot has created a space for entrepreneurs and creators to connect and innovate on the next best thing taking over the world. Starting with just 500 members, the club now has 11,000 and has expanded to other metro areas in Los Angeles and Washington, D.C. Wilson says the funding will enable them to continue their mission of cultural connection. “We are thrilled to receive continued support from such an extraordinary group of investors. This funding allows us to further expand our mission and create more opportunities for cultural connection and creativity in our communities,” he said.
“We’re committed to providing a space for people to connect, collaborate, and thrive. The impact has been incredible, and we’re just getting started.”
The group recently unveiled its latest space, called The Retreat, in Atlanta’s popular West Midtown. The two-story, 60,000-square-foot space is designed with a 40,000-square-foot rooftop with panoramic views of the skyline, as well as cabanas and locker rooms. The lower level holds 20,000 square feet of flexible office spaces for members to draw inspiration in a relaxed setting.
TGS’s growth is being celebrated after a rocky setback in 2022 after being acquired by Greenwood, a fintech company and banking platform aimed at Black and Latinx communities, founded by rapper Killer Mike and former mayor of Atlanta, Andrew Young, for $50 million, according to Inc. Initially looked at as a “milestone for two Black-founded Atlanta businesses,” business matters fell through the crack.
With lawsuits filed by both parties over the terms of the agreement, Petersen was also seemingly pushed out in favor of a white executive, receiving massive pushback from members. Close to 3,000 members canceled their memberships in 2023 as rumors of legal disputes and staffing changes came out.
However, after Wilson and Petersen announced they had purchased back a majority stake in the company, business matters started to fall back into place. Wilson attributes the space’s success to its mission of strategic community building and mindful management of finances. With a retention rate of close to 98%, the co-founder says revenue has increased by 541% between 2016 and 2024 and sits “well into eight figures.”
And it’s only the beginning. He says The Gathering Spot is a place where “everyone is welcome” and where “everyone has always been welcome,” throughout its locations. TGS has hosted appearances by former presidents Barack Obama and Joe Biden, events with Drake, and a birthday party for one of the NBA’s greatest players, LeBron James.
60 Years After The Voting Rights Act: The Fight To Protect The Ballot Continues
The president of the National Civil Rights Museum has something to say
Written by Dr. Russ Wigginton, President
On Aug. 6, 1965, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Voting Rights Act (VRA), one of the most consequential victories in American history. Nearly a century after the 15th Amendment promised Black men the right to vote, the VRA responded to relentless efforts to deny African Americans full participation in democracy.
Its impact was immediate. Fueled by grassroots campaigns in Mississippi and Selma, Alabama—where activists risked beatings, arrests, and even death—the law reshaped the political landscape. In the critical 1966 midterm elections, just one year after the Act’s passage, Black voter registration in Mississippi soared from less than 5% in 1964 to over 60%. For the first time since Reconstruction, the South saw a major wave of Black voter participation.
This progress was hard-won. Activists like Viola Liuzzo and Jonathan Daniels were murdered for helping to register voters in Alabama. Vernon F. Dahmer, who championed the phrase “If you don’t vote, you don’t count,” was killed in 1966 when Klansmen firebombed his home before he could cast his first ballot that November. Their sacrifices fueled a historic movement that secured transformative political change.
Sixty years later, the promise of the VRA remains under threat. Restrictive voter ID laws, mass voter roll purges, polling place closures, and extreme gerrymandering continue to undermine fair access to the ballot. In 2013, the Supreme Court’s Shelby County v. Holder decision struck down federal oversight of states with histories of discrimination, opening the door to a wave of laws that disproportionately impact Black, Latino, elderly, and young voters.
In 2023, the Eighth Circuit Court delivered another blow, ruling that only the U.S. Attorney General—not private citizens or civil rights groups—could bring lawsuits under Section 2 of the VRA. This ruling silences the very communities the Act was designed to protect and weakens the ability to challenge discrimination.
Yet history shows that when citizens mobilize, change is possible. In 2020, record voter turnout—particularly among young people and communities of color—helped reshape leadership and usher in policies focused on pandemic relief, infrastructure, and expanded child tax credits. In Georgia, grassroots organizing helped flip the state’s political balance and elect its first Black U.S. Senator. Michigan voters ended gerrymandering and expanded early voting through ballot initiatives.
This is not about political parties; it’s about people power. The lessons of the 1966 midterms remind us that transformative change happens when historically silenced communities make their voices heard at the ballot box.
Two federal proposals are essential to continuing that transformation: the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, which would reinstate federal oversight of jurisdictions with histories of voting discrimination, and the Freedom to Vote Act, which would establish nationwide standards for ballot access and fair redistricting. Passing both is critical to fulfilling the original promise of the VRA.
Here’s how we can honor that promise:
• Register and Stay Registered – Check your status regularly at nass.org/Can-I-Vote, as states aggressively purge rolls.
• Vote in Every Election – Local and midterms shape schools, healthcare, and justice as much as presidential contests.
• Educate and Empower – Encourage young people to register early and learn how to vote by mail or in person.
• Support Pro-Voting Policies – Demand that lawmakers pass federal protections for fair elections.
• Volunteer for Civic Engagement – Join voter registration drives or serve as a poll worker to ensure access for all.
• Hold Officials Accountable – Replace leaders who oppose voting protections.
As we mark 60 years since the passage of the Voting Rights Act, democracy demands the same vigilance and courage shown in 1965 and 1966. We owe it to those who bled for the ballot—and to future generations yet to cast theirs.
Let our turnout be our tribute, our participation our protest, and our votes the victory.
Dr. Russ Wigginton serves as the president of the National Civil Rights Museum. He assumed this role in 2021 and has vast experience in education, fundraising, operations, and community engagement. Wigginton was the chief postsecondary impact officer for the Tennessee State Collaborative on Reforming Education (SCORE) from 2019 to 2021, where he led the organization’s work for postsecondary access, retention, and completion. He served as vice president for student life and dean of students at Rhodes College in Memphis from 2017 to 2019, where he oversaw the college’s co-curricular experience for students.
These milestones are reminders of the event's purpose
For nine years, the XCEL Summit For Men (formerly known as the Black Men XCEL Summit) has been a cornerstone event for BLACK ENTERPRISE. This annual conference and awards ceremony celebrates the accomplishments of Black men, providing panels and workshops that focus on personal and professional growth.
Each summit has been a memorable experience, building excitement for the next one. As we approach our ninth annual event and prepare for our 10th anniversary, we’re taking a moment to reflect on key moments from the summit’s history. These milestones remind us of the event’s purpose: to honor excellence and foster a community of successful, inspiring Black men. Here are six solid moments from XCEL Summits of yesteryear.
1) Eddie Levert
Eddie Levert, the legendary lead singer of The O’Jays, was honored by BE with a Black Men XCEL Award in 2019.
2) Chance The Rapper
BLACK ENTERPRISE CEO Earl “Butch” Graves Jr. conducted an exclusive, one-on-one interview with Chance the Rapper,
3) Benjamin Crump
As a trailblazer who has demonstrated excellence and leadership, Ben Crump received an XCEL Award, which is given to distinguished Black men in their fields.
4) Mayor Brandon Scott
Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott discussed the complexities of leading a major city during his fireside chat at Black Men XCEL.
5) Dondré Whitfield
DondréWhitfield delivered a powerful message that challenges Black men to move from “malehood” to “manhood.”
6) TD Jakes
In 2018, Bishop T.D. Jakes was a special guest and recipient of the Earl G. Graves Vanguard Award at the Black Men XCEL Summit.
7) D.L. Hughley
D.L. Hughley was a 2024 BMXCEL Summit honoree. The comedian participated in a fireside chat with co-honoree Ed Gordon.
Dwyane Wade Will Host Fireside Chat At Martha’s Vineyard African American Film Festival
The event will take place August 8, in Edgartown, Mass.
In May, Aramis announced a new fragrance, Intuition by Aramis, and stated that former Miami Heat basketball legend Dwyane Wade will be the global ambassador. On Aug. 8, at Martha’s Vineyard during the African American Film Festival, he will be on hand to take part in a fireside conversation with the brand.
Intuition by Aramis has launched this month, and to celebrate its debut, it will present a series of curated events, including a pop-up experience, a VIP dinner, and an insightful panel discussion featuring Wade.
“I’m excited to join the Aramis family as a Global Ambassador and launch Intuition by Aramis this summer,” said Wade in a written statement. “Aramis is a brand that aligns with my values, and Intuition reflects modern masculinity and confidence. Fragrance is all about how you present yourself to the world. Your scent is part of your vibe, and my new fragrance truly levels up your scent game.”
Aramis is the sponsor of the annual C-Suite Men’s Luncheon at the Martha’s Vineyard African American Film Festival, where leaders of various industries within the Black community will gather to network. The program will be anchored by an intimate, unfiltered fireside conversation with Wade, followed by Intuition by Aramis‘ first-ever Pop-Up Sampling Experience at Pelican Bay.
The luncheon takes place at The Harbor View Hotel in Edgartown, Massachusetts, on Aug. 6, with the Intuition by Armis Pop-Up happening Aug. 6 and Aug. 7 at The Pelican Club. The pop-up will be open to the public, offering a playful, immersive, and interactive journey into the world of Intuition by Aramis.
“We couldn’t be more excited to be announcing Intuition by Aramis with the incomparable Dwyane Wade,” said Justin Boxford, Global Brand President, Estée Lauder & Aramis. “From family to fashion to philanthropy, Dwyane is a visionary and a changemaker who is the epitome of modern masculinity. Through the reimagination of Aramis and the collaboration with Dwyane, we are able to honor the brand’s incredible heritage while tapping into new consumers in the rapidly growing men’s fragrance market.”
Intuition by Aramis is available at key global retailers and will retail for $95/50ml and $130/100ml.
Kawhi Leonard Spends Time In Africa Empowering Youth In Rwanda
The basketball player recently co-headlined the 2025 Giants of Africa Festival with Nigerian pop superstar Ayra Starr
NBA player Kawhi Leonard recently co-headlined the 2025 Giants of Africa Festival with Nigerian pop superstar Ayra Starr, participating in various activities, including unveiling a new outdoor basketball court and hosting a free youth basketball clinic in a mission to empower the youth on the continent.
The festival, which took place between July 26 and Aug. 2, found the Los Angeles Clippers player in Rwanda, where he was present to unveil the new basketball court at St. Ignatius School in Kigali, which he designed. The school is located in one of Kigali’s underserved districts and is part of the Giants of Africa (GOA) “Built Within” initiative to help build 100 basketball courts across Africa. Throughout the new courts, players were able to view empowering messages written on the court, which stated, “Play Hard, Have Fun,” “You Are Stronger Than You Think,” and “Be Great.”
The annual Giants of Africa Festival brings together many people, ranging from young athletes, coaches, and creators from 20 different African nations, where they can be inspired while also learning from one another.
Leonard attended several tournaments to speak with young players about the importance of believing in themselves and encouraging them to pursue their dreams.
Young basketball players were also able to learn some skills and interact with Leonard when he hosted a free basketball clinic before leaving Africa. Fifty lucky boys and girls, between the ages of 12 and 17, got to experience the NBA player on the basketball court. He assisted them with learning some of the core skills needed in the sport. Those included shooting, handling the ball, defensive techniques, as well as the right mindset to play the game correctly. Each player left with a T-shirt, a pair of signature Kawhi New Balance basketball shoes, and the memories of connecting with Leonard.
The clinic took place on the new court.
The two-time NBA champion also met with the President of Rwanda, Paul Kagame, to discuss how he can contribute to investing in Africa’s youth through education and sports. They talked for two hours in a private meeting.
This won’t be the last stop for Leonard as he is heading to China to embark on a 10-day international tour focused on youth development and expanding access to the sport worldwide.
Grand Kru County Native Monica Swen Crowned Miss Earth Liberia 2025
Miss Liberia 2025 shares her plan to launch a sanitation team to address the country's drainage issue.
Liberia has a new “Queen” in the country after 23-year-old Monica Swen of Grand Kru County was crowned Miss Earth Liberia 2025.
Swen was crowned on Aug. 2 during the seventh annual Miss Earth Liberia pageant, where she represented the element ‘Sun,’ the Liberian Observer reports. The national competition, which determines Liberia’s delegate for the international Miss Earth stage, ended with outgoing queen, Mary W. Kermon, passing on the crown to Swen.
As part of her victory, Swen received a Chevrolet Malibu valued at approximately $9,000, along with undisclosed ambassadorial deals. She impressed the judging panel with her African fabric swimsuit and a show-stopping evening gown, beating out Beyons T. Nimely, who placed as first runner-up, and Dorcas G. Worlobah, who finished as second runner-up..
During the Q&A segment, Swen joined the two runner-ups on stage to share her sustainability vision for Liberia as the newly crowned Miss Earth. Her response was evaluated by a distinguished panel of judges, including actor and producer Gregory Artus Frank Jr., legal counselor Tupee Enid Taylor, philanthropist and politician Alice T. Baysah, Magic Group of Companies CEO Mamud Dabor, and Liberia Football Association’s third vice president, Jodie Marian Reid.
“I will set up a sanitation team, which will include my fellow contestants, to carry out sanitation awareness within the environment,” Swen said. “I believe that each of us here faces sanitation problems in our environment, and I need them to share their thoughts with me on this journey.”
A sophomore studying Banking and Finance at the Adventist University of West Africa, Swen will now represent Liberia in the global Miss Earth competition. As the newly crowned Miss Earth Liberia, Swen will now take on a role that aligns with the pageant’s mission of empowering women through environmental advocacy.
In a recent radio interview, she shared her passion for addressing Liberia’s drainage problems and urged citizens to take greater responsibility in keeping the streets free of trash.
“Whenever it rains in my community, I notice water flowing on the road, all because of a poor drainage system,” Swen said.
“Our drainage systems in our community are few, but we, as a people, need to take good care of the few we have by not allowing dirt to start clogging these drains. We Liberians have to take care of our own and keep it clean. Cleaning our drainage is everyone’s responsibility.”
Conservatives Go After Texas Roadhouse For Using DEI In Hiring Practices
Texas Roadhouse is facing a civil rights lawsuit for upholding its DEI practices.
A conservative legal group is targeting Texas Roadhouse in a civil rights lawsuit, accusing the restaurant chain of hiring based on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) practices.
America First Legal (AFL) filed a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, accusing Texas Roadhouse of violating the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the New York Post reports. AFL alleges that the company considers race and gender when selecting members for its Board of Directors, monitors employees’ race, gender, and ethnicity, and exposes the business to “reputational risk” because of its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies.
“The evidence demonstrates that the Company’s hiring, promotion, and recruitment practices violate state and federal law,” the complaint states. “The evidence also demonstrates that the Company has prioritized unlawful diversity, equity, and inclusion programs and policies over shareholder value.”
AFL accuses Texas Roadhouse of acting with an “inappropriate disregard of your fiduciary duties to Texas Roadhouse and its shareholders.” However, in response to the lawsuit, Texas Roadhouse shared a chart in its 2024 10-K annual report detailing the percentages of employees and managers who are women or people of color.
The report states that the company considers DEI factors like gender and race when selecting nominees for its Board of Directors, alongside other criteria such as board experience and financial expertise. It also highlights professional development initiatives focused on identity, including a Women’s Leadership Summit and an African American Leadership Summit.
Texas Roadhouse emphasized its commitment to “attracting, retaining, engaging, recognizing, and developing a workforce that reflects the diversity of our guests.” But AFL argues that the company is acting with an “inappropriate disregard of your fiduciary duties to Texas Roadhouse and its shareholders.”
“Texas Roadhouse’s policies are a relic of an era where DEI contaminated American culture with the false belief that good intentions make discrimination okay,” AFL Counsel Will Scolinos said in a statement.
Texas Roadhouse joins Cracker Barrel as targets of AFL’s civil rights lawsuits. AFL’s legal challenges against companies supporting DEI practices align with President Donald Trump’s anti-DEI executive orders, which prohibit federal agencies from contracting with firms that implement DEI policies. Companies like Target, Amazon, Disney, and Facebook have faced criticism for scaling back their DEI efforts. In contrast, others, like Costco and Apple, continue to resist shareholder pressure to abandon their initiatives.
