When I first moved back to the United States after living overseas as a kid, I suddenly felt different from everyone around me. I eventually realized my uniqueness was my superpower: I am Black and unlimited, and my experiences have helped me contribute to every space I’ve been a part of since.
Being unlimited starts from within. It comes with understanding you belong, and you bring something special to the table. Today, I’m a proud Walmart associate, and I’ve seen firsthand how a culture of belonging helps everyone thrive and perform. Creating equitable opportunities for all to reach their full potential begins with our associates feeling seen, supported, and connected.
Walmart is the largest private U.S. employer of Black and African Americans, with 20% of our U.S. workforce identifying as Black and African American and more than 50% identifying as People of Color. Our Black and African American Resource Group and African American Officer Caucus celebrate the unlimited potential of Black associates, customers, members, and communities throughout the year, and like all our Associate Resource Groups and Officer Caucuses, play an important role in bringing a culture of belonging to life within Walmart.
Here are just a few recent ways we’re celebrating, from the products we sell in our stores and clubs to the investments we make in communities:
Inspirational creators, innovative products
Our customers and members want a wide variety of products to meet their specific needs. Black-led businesses not only help us support entrepreneurs but also bring innovative product offerings to shelves and help foster community connection while expanding our supplier base. Whether it’s The Lip Bar for vibrant colors, Partake for allergy-conscious cookies, TPH by Taraji for luxury hair care, the Walmart Midwest Kids Collab, or Afro Unicorn and CEV Eyewear at Sam’s Club, Black-owned brands are bringing our customers things they love and need.
We also continue to focus on creating economic opportunity towards a more inclusive and equitable marketplace, and this past summer Walmart and Sam’s Club convened our first Equity in Entrepreneurship Summit and Procurement Connect event hosted by our Supplier Diversity & Inclusion team.
Walmart’s Black & Unlimited marketing platform also plays a role in sharing the inspirational stories of innovative entrepreneurs and the unlimited potential and creativity of Black creators, influencers, and media. Now in its third year, Black & Unlimited has supported cultural events like Something in the Water Festival, hosted a creators’ tour across HBCUs, launched the Ebony X Walmart She-E-O Series, partnered with HOORAE Media to create an on-going digital development program, and spotlighted Black fatherhood in partnership with the American Black Film Festival. Discover Black-led brands, founders and more activations coming soon at Walmart.com/BlackandUnlimited.
Investing in a future where everyone thrives
The Walmart.org Center for Racial Equity helps communities live better by complementing and extending business efforts through philanthropic investments focused on building equitable outcomes in the Black and African American community. To date, the Center’s investments in organizations advancing racial equity total more than $58 million across the finance, education, health, and criminal justice systems, with an additional $7 million supporting racial solidarity.
Strengthening Black health equity
Walmart is committed to supporting healthy communities. Our Black Health Heroes programming focuses on strengthening physical, emotional, and mental health, including through our second annual Health is Wealth Weekend in collaboration with Black Enterprise.
Walmart also launched associate health benefits aimed at addressing health disparities – including maternal health – through expanded benefits, such as nationwide doula services.
We’re all in this together, but it’s by weaving the unique experiences, skills, and identities of each person that we create something truly incredible — from products that delight to inspiring change in our communities. Let’s take this day and every day as an opportunity to celebrate Black history, culture, and excellence.
