The National Baptist Convention U.S.A., the largest predominantly African American religious convention in the United States, is under fire for accepting a $75,000 donation from Target amid a boycott of the company.
The boycott launched in protest of the retailer’s decision to roll back some of its diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives in January. The Rev. William Terry Ladd III, senior pastor at First Baptist Church on East Eighth Street, addressed the donation in his capacity as pastor, during services last weekend.
Boise Kimber, president of the National Baptist Convention, announced the convention, of which Ladd’s church is a supporter, would be accepting a donation of $75,000 from Target during the National Baptist Convention’s Congress of Christian Education. The funds will be used to empower small businesses, invest in student support and education and workforce and skills development, according to a statement from Kimber.
“As pastor of this church for the past 16 years and as a member of the National Baptist Convention USA incorporated over 25 years, I deeply regret the convention’s decision to accept the donation from Target for two key reasons,” Ladd said.
Reason one, he said, is that African American residents continue to face significant disparities, referencing the 2024 State of Black Chattanooga report released by the Urban League of Greater Chattanooga. The report found that the median income of Black families in Hamilton County is 55% of the median white family income, among other economic inequalities.