Roger Goodell, NFL, DEI, — SSG Teddy Wade, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

February 4, 2025

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell Says DEI Policies Are Going Nowhere

'We got into diversity efforts because we felt it was the right thing for the National Football League.'

Bucking the trend of companies canceling Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) efforts across the country, the National Football League (NFL) is staying with the diversity hiring efforts it has implemented in recent years.

According to NFL.com, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell recently doubled down on the league’s promotion of diversity despite President Donald Trump’s mandate against it in a recent executive order. During a press conference leading up to this season’s Super Bowl championship, the commissioner stated that he doesn’t believe the NFL’s policies to promote diversity conflict with Trump’s administration banning diversity, equity, and inclusion programs in the federal government.

“Our policies have been designed to be well within the law and the practice,” Goodell told the media. “There are no quotas in our system. This is about opening that funnel and bringing the best talent into the NFL.”

“We also believe we are doing the right thing for the NFL, and our policies are consistent with the current administration and the last administration.”

The NFL implemented the Rooney Rule in 2003, which emphasized team owners interviewing minority candidates for open executive and coaching positions in a league with a majority of Black players but nearly non-existent managerial positions for people of color. The rule was named after Dan Rooney, an owner of the Pittsburgh Steelers and the chairman of the Workplace Diversity Committee, which has since been renamed the Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Committee.

The Associated Press reported in January 2024 that the NFL employed six Black coaches, along with three other minority coaches, to produce the most minority head coaches in one season (nine).

The 2023 Racial and Gender Report Card from Lapchick’s Institute stated that 66.7% of NFL players are minorities, with 53.5% being Black.

“We got into diversity efforts because we felt it was the right thing for the National Football League, and we’re going to continue those efforts because we’ve not only convinced ourselves, I think we’ve proven ourselves that it does make the NFL better. So, we’re not in this because it’s a trend to get in or a trend to get out of it. As I said previously, our efforts are fundamental in attracting the best possible talent into the National Football League, both on and off the field. And we see that. We see how it’s benefited the National Football League. And so, I think we’ll continue those efforts. I think it also clearly reflects our fan base, our communities, and our players.”

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

February 4, 2025

Ghana’s ‘Get The F**k Out Of America’ Offers Brand-New Apartments And Low-Cost Rent Starting At $399 Monthly

The company offers a variety of resources and relocation programs

If the current state of America is weighing on you, you might find relief in Accra, Ghana, where brand-new 3-bedroom, 3-bathroom apartments are available for just $399 a month.

Dubbed the “Get the Fu*k Out of America (GTFOA)” movement, the brand announced a holiday housing deal last month that offers newly built apartments for $399 a month and that can be paid yearly in advance for $4,788.

“Transform your Life, Move to Ghana📣,” an Instagram post read.

“Email artcathey@gmail to become a member of GTFOA 🖥️attend zoom event or get the guide to buying land in Ghana 🌳🔥🌎.”

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Founded by Art Cathey in 2020, GTFOA serves as a subscription-based network created to empower Black travelers and expats who aspire to explore or relocate overseas. The company offers a variety of resources, relocation programs, and access to local, on-the-ground contacts to ensure a smooth journey to the country of your choice.

The company was born from Cathey’s personal journey exploring cultural transitions, entrepreneurial endeavors, and a strong desire for financial and personal independence abroad. After experiencing firsthand the challenges of moving overseas, Cathey created GTFOA as a platform to simplify the process for others seeking a fresh start.

GTFOA subscribers receive exclusive access to travel tours, international investment opportunities, and discounts on product offerings, like the newly built apartments in Accra. Since its inception, GTFOA has been on a mission to inspire and support individuals who are ready to take bold and big steps toward their future by relocating to places that align with their values, aspirations, and dreams.

By offering the tools, resources, and community necessary to make the transition smooth, GTFOA is empowering people to create a life that reflects their true desires in locations outside of the United States. GTFOA is more than just about relocation; it’s about crafting a life filled with choice and opportunity—breaking free from the limitations that hold people back.

With Ghana as a flagship destination, GTFOA helps individuals and families embrace the vibrant culture, welcoming communities, and business-friendly environment of one of Africa’s most sought-after areas for relocation.

Ohio mom, Michigan, Darren, Dawson, Ohio, tortured closet, social security, Juvenile jails, ex cons for trump — (Photo: EvgeniyShkolenko/Getty Images)

by Mitti Hicks

February 4, 2025

El Salvador Offers To Accept Deportees And ‘Dangerous’ American Criminals

President Nayib Bukele said El Salvador could house convicted criminals, including convicted US citizens, into its mega-prison (CECOT) in exchange for a fee.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said El Salvador’s president offered to accept deportees from the U.S. of any nationality, including “dangerous” American criminals currently incarcerated.

President Nayib Bukele “has agreed to the most unprecedented extraordinary migratory agreement anywhere in the world,” Rubio said during a signing ceremony for an unrelated civil nuclear agreement with El Salvador’s foreign minister.

Bukele also added that El Salvador would “accept for deportation any illegal alien in the United States who is a criminal from any nationality, be they MS-13 or Tren de Aragua, and house them in his jails.”

However, what has raised some eyebrows is Bukele’s statements about accepting American citizens.

“He’s also offered to do the same for dangerous criminals currently in custody and serving their sentence in the United States even though they’re U.S. citizens or legal residents,” said Rubio.

Bukele confirmed his statements to Rubio on X, stating, “We are willing to take in only convicted criminals (including convicted US citizens) into our mega-prison (CECOT) in exchange for a fee.”

El Salvador’s Terrorism Confinement Center, known as CECOT, is the country’s largest and newest prison, with a maximum capacity of 40,000 inmates.

Rubio’s announcement came during his visit to Central America as the U.S. Secretary of State. He was reportedly visiting El Salvador to press the government to do more, as the Trump administration demands countries do their part to assist with the immigration takedown.

Legal Challenges With Deporting ‘Violent’ American Criminals to El Salvador

Experts say any effort by the Trump administration to deport incarcerated U.S. nationals to another country would come with significant legal challenges.

“The US is absolutely prohibited from deporting US citizens, whether they are incarcerated or not,” Leti Volpp, a law professor at UC Berkeley who specializes in immigration law and citizenship theory, told CNN.

However, the legality issues didn’t stop people within Trump’s administration, including his allies, from praising the idea. Trump’s most vocal proponent, Elon Musk, called it a “great idea” on X.

“It is a bizarre and unprecedented proposal being made potentially between two authoritarian, populist, right-wing leaders seeking a transactional relationship,” Emerson College professor Mneesha Gellman, an international politics scholar, told CNN.

“It’s not rooted in any sort of legal provision and likely violates a number of international laws relating to the rights of migrants.”

Pastor Jamal Bryant, Black Friday, Black Business Maket — (Photo: Paras Griffin/Getty Images)

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

February 4, 2025

Pastor Jamal Bryant Wants 100,000 Black People To Join 40-Day Fast Against Target

The economic fast would essentially coincide with Lent.

Pastor Jamal Bryant has called for a 40-day economic fast against Target over the retailer’s cutback on DEI.

The Senior Pastor at New Birth Baptist Church in Metro Atlanta announced the plans during Sunday Service on Feb. 2. Joined by Ron Busby, President and CEO of the U.S. Black Chambers, Inc., the two communal leaders hope to emphasize this unified stance against the removal of DEI efforts that greatly impact Black businesses and professionals.

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In the press release obtained by BLACK ENTERPRISE, Bryant urged for 100,000 Black supporters to join the movement. The fast would take place from March 3 to April 19, around the same time as Lent. It will serve as a response to the Target’s willingness to scale back its policies directly benefitting minorities.

“Dr. Bryant’s FAST calls for immediate action: he is urging Black consumers to halt all purchases from Target and to divest any stock holdings in the company,” detailed the news release. “This aligns with the philosophy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., who championed economic restraint as a powerful form of protest during the Civil Rights Movement. Just as Dr. King and other civil rights leaders leveraged economic boycotts to challenge injustice, this FAST is a call for Black consumers to use their collective spending power to demand accountability from corporations.”

The presser also claimed that Black people account for $23 million of Target’s daily revenue. With this in mind, the company’s willingness to take away programs and plans for greater equity in the workspace suggests it does not value the Black dollar, leading Bryant to encourage social action in this way.

However, Bryant noted that Black-owned brands in Target, including Tabitha Brown, will face issue. Although Brown initially voiced that a boycott would severely harm businesses like hers, the pastor emphasized that this fast will serve these entrepreneurs in the long run. Furthermore, Bryant and the U.S. Black Chambers will send a directory of 250K Black-owned businesses to support for all “fasting” from Target.

According to the civil rights advocate, companies cannot uplift and support businesses only when it best serves them. If these retailers are truly committed to racial equity and justice, they must continue long-lasting efforts for the cause. Bryant hopes that this economic fast will remind Target and other retailers that Black people are committed to supporting companies that genuinely support them.

Those who want to participate can sign up at Targetfast.org. Participants will also receive a 30-day devotional to inspire them as they join the cause for justice.

AfroFuture Detroit, African diaspora, Bedrock, Douglass Site, Detroit music, Afrobeats, Amapiano, Motown, Techno, African heritage — AfroFutureDetroit-20250128-006.jpeg

by BLACK ENTERPRISE Editors

February 4, 2025

AfroFuture Detroit Brings A Global Celebration Of African Diaspora To The City In 2025

The lineup will feature international Afrobeats, Caribbean, and hip-hop artists.

A groundbreaking cultural celebration is coming to Detroit. On August 16 and 17, 2025, AfroFuture Detroit will make its U.S. debut at Bedrock’s historic Douglass Site, uniting the city’s rich musical legacy with the global rhythms of the African diaspora.

AfroFuture, a global entertainment platform renowned for spotlighting African excellence, has chosen Detroit as the site for its first U.S. festival. With roots in Accra, Ghana, AfroFuture has attracted over 160,000 attendees worldwide through its immersive events. The festival underscores the city’s pivotal role in shaping Black culture and resistance by selecting Detroit.

“We’re thrilled to bring AfroFuture to Detroit for our U.S. debut,” said AfroFuture CEO and Co-founder Abdul Karim Abdullah. “Detroit’s cultural and musical powerhouse legacy makes it the perfect city to launch this transformative experience. By connecting African excellence with Detroit’s heritage, we’re bridging the diaspora across borders and oceans through the universal language of music.”

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A Sonic Celebration of Heritage

AfroFuture Detroit promises a dynamic fusion of Afrobeats, Amapiano, Motown, and Techno, celebrating the unbreakable ties between Africa and its global diaspora. The festival’s sonic journey will honor Detroit’s iconic musical history while introducing contemporary African influences.

“This is more than just a typical festival,” Abdullah added. “It’s a moment of unity and a celebration of the power of Africa.”

The lineup will feature international Afrobeats, Caribbean, and hip-hop artists. A curated marketplace will showcase African art, fashion, and cuisine. Festival-goers can expect handcrafted jewelry, bold clothing, and traditional dishes that capture the creativity and resilience of African culture.

Building Community Through Music and Art

Kofi Bonner, CEO of Bedrock, emphasized Detroit’s importance in hosting AfroFuture. “AfroFuture is an experience built for community, and we can’t think of a better place than Detroit, a city built on its own musical heritage, for its U.S. debut. Bedrock is proud to bring this universal celebration of Afrocentric art and culture to the Douglass Site.”

The Douglass Site, rich in history, is the ideal backdrop for this cultural homecoming. From vibrant art installations to storytelling through food and music, AfroFuture Detroit will highlight the resilience, joy, and struggles that resonate deeply within the Black community.

A Collaborative Effort

The festival is produced in collaboration with Paxahau, a Detroit-based production company known for the acclaimed Movement Electronic Music Festival. This partnership ensures AfroFuture Detroit remains grounded in the city’s musical DNA.

“This event isn’t just about entertainment,” said a spokesperson from Paxahau. “It’s about honoring Detroit’s role as a hub of Black creativity and activism while creating a space where past, present, and future collide.”

A Global Movement Arrives in Detroit

AfroFuture’s evolution from a single event in Ghana into a global cultural phenomenon reflects its mission to reclaim narratives and celebrate African heritage. AfroFuture Detroit amplifies this vision, offering a transformative experience where attendees can connect with their roots and embrace the future.

Additional details will be announced in the coming months, including the festival lineup, ticket availability, and event packages.

For updates, visit Detroit.AfroFuture.com and follow @BedrockDetroit and @AfroFuture on Instagram.

About AfroFuture

AfroFuture, formerly known as Afrochella, is a premier platform celebrating the creativity and innovation of Africa and its diaspora. Founded by Culture Management Group (CMG), AfroFuture curates experiences spotlighting African excellence through music, art, fashion, and cuisine. With flagship events across Africa, AfroFuture connects communities and bridges cultures, creating spaces where tradition meets modernity.

AfroFuture Detroit marks a defining moment in the city’s cultural narrative, cementing Detroit’s legacy as a global beacon of Black creativity and resilience.

Former St. Louis Prosecutor,Misusing Public Funds — (Photo: greenleaf123/Getty Images)

by BLACK ENTERPRISE Editors

February 4, 2025

OP-ED: Can Fired DEI Professionals Sue Attackers For Defamation?

DEI opponents should be held legally accountable for the damage they have done to people’s careers.

Written by Shaun Harper

They are evil, racist, divisive, and destructively woke. Nothing they do has any value — every program and policy for which they are responsible is a complete waste of taxpayers’ dollars and corporate investments. They all discriminate against white men who, no matter what, are always more talented and deserving than everyone else. They are poisoning schools, colleges, workplaces, and our nation’s military. They all hate America and are teaching others to do the same. None of them are qualified or competent. They were only hired because of their race, gender, and other identities, not because of any respectable credentials. These erroneous universal claims about DEI professionals have largely resulted in the massive elimination of their roles over the past 18 months. Could those who have been fired individually, or perhaps even collectively, sue spreaders of misinformation and disinformation for defamation?

Hosts and guests on cable news networks, as well as social media influencers, make all sorts of exaggerated, unfounded claims about the work that DEI professionals do. U.S. President Donald Trump, along with many conservative governors, congresspersons, state legislators, college trustees, and K-12 school board members, do the same. They almost always do so without substantial evidence, at best with anecdotes. Many of them have not experienced DEI programs firsthand — certainly not enough times to make blanket declarations about their aims, goodness, and effectiveness. Great Americans are losing their jobs because opportunistic obstructionists with political agendas have very publicly lied about them and their work. DEI opponents should be held legally accountable for the damage they have done to people’s careers.

I have never sued a person, but I would if someone sought to ruin my professional reputation by making untrue claims about what occurs in my classrooms at the University of Southern California without having come here, without having analyzed my 22 years of course evaluations, without having spoken with more than a small handful of the thousands of students I have had the pleasure of teaching, and without asking me directly for evidence of what and how I teach. I would insist that they wait until Teachers College Press publishes my newest book this summer – in it, my students and I model how to engage in respectful disagreements about DEI. The book is the antithesis of the indoctrination that DEI opponents wrongly accuse professors of manufacturing in our classrooms.

Furthermore, I have delivered hundreds of DEI-focused speeches. Unless they have been in multiple audiences of mine, DEI obstructionists cannot make credible statements about what I do and say on stages. They would have to furnish specific examples and proof of harm. They would not be able to because I mostly receive standing ovations. Professional learning sessions that I design and deliver for educational institutions, businesses, and other organizations consistently earn impressively high ratings. Specifically, on average, 94% of participants (including heterosexual white men) deem them practically useful, and 95% rate them excellent. If someone erroneously claimed that what I was doing in the name of DEI was trash and their deliberate misrepresentations led to negative career outcomes for me, I would have no choice but to sue them.

Some folks who simply want to get elected, along with others who enjoy being social media famous and occasionally invited to appear on TV shows and into meetings with corporate executives, are dishonestly achieving their aims at the expense of DEI professionals. It is important to note that their recklessness disproportionately affects the careers of women, people of color, and LGBTQ+ professionals. If they and other colleagues whose careers have been wrecked by misinformation, disinformation, and baseless exaggerations could sue for slander, they should.

Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani told lies that ruined two Black women’s lives. He was found guilty of defamation and ordered to pay $148 million to those two Georgia election poll workers. DEI professionals who have been lied about also deserve to receive significant compensation. Some who have lost jobs will pursue litigation against their former employers on the grounds of wrongful termination; that may work. But they ought not to hold blameless people who make baseless generalizations about all DEI professionals. Some flamboyant, self-anointed DEI attackers loudly claim victory and celebrate the discontinuation of programs and positions across industries. They are practically begging to be sued. With the very best Los Angeles attorneys by my side, I most certainly would if they did to me what they have done to too many DEI professionals who have undeservingly been placed out of work.

______________________________________

Shaun Harper is a University Professor and Provost Professor of Education, Business, and Public Policy at the University of Southern California, where he holds the Clifford and Betty Allen Chair in Urban Leadership. He is also the USC Race and Equity Center’s founder and chief research scientist.

WNBA, Angel Reese, nickname, Chicago Sky — (Photo: Alberto Rodriguez/Variety via Getty Images)

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

February 4, 2025

Angel Reese Gives Mother Unexpected Birthday Gift Of Paying Off Home Mortgage

The Chicago Sky player gifted her mother, Angel Webb Reese by paying for the house

WNBA and Unrivaled basketball player Angel Reese may have given her mother the best birthday gift ever when she announced she would be paying off her mortgage.

On a recent episode of her podcast, Unapologetically Angel, Reese hosted her mother, Angel Webb Reese, for Webb’s birthday. The WNBA player gave her mother a cake and some surprising news that made her mother get emotional.

“Well, it’s your birthday today,” Reese told her mother — as someone off-camera handed her mother a small birthday cake.

Reese then told her, “You said that if your mortgage was paid off that you would retire. Or you can pick if you want to work still. So your mortgage today has been paid.”

As the basketball player informed her mother of the gift, Webb nearly dropped the birthday cake she held in her hands. As she was shocked by her daughter’s declaration, Reese told her that she can still work if she wants to, but she won’t have to work to pay off the mortgage anymore.

“Today your mortgage has been paid, you ain’t got to worry about your mortgage no more and if you want to work still and keep yourself, if you want to keep yourself busy, you can keep yourself busy,” Reese said.

She then told her mother that she will be purchasing a house this year and she can stay with her for as long as she wants.

And when I move to Chicago — I’m getting a house, y’all — you can come stay with me whenever you want to.”

Angels birthday gift to her mama 🥹💕

Full episode out NOW: https://t.co/Xc21YLcKo3 pic.twitter.com/YphGibd8tR

— Unapologetically Angel (@angelreeseshow) January 30, 2025

Maybe Reese could pay off her mother’s house because her deal with McDonald’s was just announced.

Reese became the first female athlete to get her own special meal at McDonald’s.

“The Angel Reese Special” will be available starting on Feb. 10. The limited-time meal will be a BBQ Bacon Quarter Pounder with cheese, medium fries, and a medium drink of choice.

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Dow, CEO, Karen, S. Carter, PITCHBlack, $2 million,, funding — Photo by Christina Morillo: https://www.pexels.com/photo/group-of-people-on-a-conference-room-1181406/

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

February 4, 2025

ICYMI: Karen S. Carter Becomes First Woman COO Of Dow

Karen S. Carter's 30-year journey with Dow has led to her historic appointment as the company's first female COO.

Karen S. Carter is making history as Dow’s new COO, the first woman to hold the position.

After two years as President of Dow Packaging & Specialty Plastics, Carter was appointed COO last month. As COO, Carter will lead business and operational performance across the organization, focus on strengthening Dow’s customer engagement and relationships, accelerate the commercialization of the organization’s innovation pipeline, and improve the company’s reliability and customer service.

https://corporate.dow.com/en-us/news/press-releases/dow-announces-appointment-of-karen-s–carter-as-chief-operating-.html

Praised for her ability to be a driving force in the development of new business models and solutions in the male-dominated chemical industry, Carter will take on strategic oversight of Dow’s business segments — including Packaging & Specialty Plastics, Industrial Intermediates & Infrastructure, and Performance Materials & Coatings. Additionally, Dow’s Integrated Supply Chain, Purchasing, Information Systems, and Commercial organizations will report to Carter.

She will continue to report to Jim Fitterling, Dow’s Chair and CEO, and join the Company’s Executive Committee from her home base in Midland, Michigan.

“Karen is a proven leader with more than three decades of experience at Dow delivering strong business results,” Fitterling said. “She has an excellent track record of operating discipline, maintaining close relationships with key partners and customers, and driving innovation across the organization.”

He continued. “She has successfully led our largest business and played critical leadership roles in other essential business and functional teams within Dow, always with a focus on developing and maintaining high-performing teams. As COO, she will work closely with me and our executive team to drive growth and value creation across our operating segments while continuing to provide innovative and sustainable solutions for our customers.”

Carter’s career at Dow spans over 30 years, beginning in 1994. She has held various roles across business operations, sales and marketing, and human resources. Before becoming President of Dow’s Packaging & Specialty Plastics (P&SP), Carter served as Dow’s Chief Human Resources Officer and Chief Inclusion Officer. In those roles, she played a key part in fostering a culture where all employees can grow and thrive, enabling them to fully contribute to Dow’s business strategy and long-term value growth.

NABJ — Photo by Markus Winkler: https://www.pexels.com/photo/green-typewriter-with-white-paper-4106707/

by Mitti Hicks

February 4, 2025

The National Association Of Black Journalists Celebrating 50 Years Of Diversifying Newsrooms

2025 marks 50 years for the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) – an organization promoting diversity in its newsroom.

2025 marks 50 years for the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) -– an organization promoting diversity in its newsroom.

The National Association of Black Journalists was founded on Dec. 12, 1975, by 44 men and women. The founders, representing various news platforms and disciplines, created the organization to provide quality programs, services, and advocacy for Black journalists worldwide.

Some of its founding members, as My Fox 8 points out, include Maureen Bunyan, one of the first Black women to anchor the evening news on a local television station, Max Robinson, the first Black co-anchor of a network evening news broadcast on ABC’s “World News Tonight.”

National Association of Black Journalists: A History That Spans 50 Years

The organization was formed nearly 10 years after the 1968 Kerner Commission report was released, detailing biased depictions of Black Americans in the press.

There are now more than 4,000 members, which include emerging journalists, professional journalists, student journalists, educators, and media professionals.

With a history of five decades, NABJ leaders are gearing up for a huge celebration to commemorate 50 years at its convention in Cleveland, Ohio, in August 2025. NABJ President Ken Lemon announced the formation of a special golden anniversary committee composed of founders, past presidents, former and present board members, chapter leaders, and longtime members.

“We are excited to begin preparations to honor our 44 Founders and the realization of their vision 50 years later,” Lemon said in a statement. “We are grateful to our committee members who have graciously volunteered their time and talent to help us celebrate this incredible moment in our legacy. Each of them personifies our 50th anniversary theme, ‘Resilience. Advocacy. Excellence.’”

“Our 50th celebration will also be an opportune time to not only pay homage to our founders but also to our past presidents, board members, and our faithful members, chapters, partners, and supporters,” said Rod Carter, former Region III Director. “Without them, NABJ would not be the pillar it is today.”

Instacart — (Photo: Steve Rainwater/Creative Commons via Wikimedia Commons)

by Sharelle B. McNair

February 4, 2025

Instacart Launches ‘Shelve Checking’ Job For Gig Workers

Would you pick up this line of 'gig work'?

Instacart has a new job offering for gig workers: checking shelves on behalf of companies and then taking pictures, Business Insider reports.

The “brand tasks” program has been tested since fall 2024 as a way of continuing to build on Instacart’s original business structure of using gig workers to shop and deliver goods to consumers. The company describes the program as one way to expand into other grocery areas and retail technology in addition to smart shopping carts and advertising.

A beta version of the program sent a message saying, “you’ll get paid to take photos of what’s in stock or refill displays” in November 2024. One shopper in Pennsylvania took advantage and said they were paid about $12 to take pictures of a Dove body care products display. The job took 10 minutes.

The program has a seemingly positive advantage for both the shopper and the companies. A Instacart spokesperson said “shoppers can opt-in to receive access to these tasks and will be able to accept the tasks just as they would a standard batch” of Instacart orders.

The upside for the corporations is the pictures give them an idea on what’s selling and how their products are appealing to customers. “Brands often work with third parties on a periodic basis to gain insights into their in-stock inventory,” the spokesperson said.

With the San Francisco-based company “primarily focused on display check,” the spokesperson confirmed that Instacart has “evaluated other tasks and could consider adding additional tasks in the future” since gig work has become more popular. This, in addition, to extended partnerships like one with the city of Columbia, South Carolina, may help the company’s profile.

The city extended its Grocery Access Pilot (GAP) Program partnership with Instacart to assist people with limited access to fresh food and produce to be delivered to their home, according to WLTX 19. Eligible residents receive a free, one year Instacart+ membership and a monthly Instacart Health Fresh Funds stipend used to cover fees and Instacart customer care support.