A conservative consumer advocacy organization is challenging the idea that corporate America has abandoned diversity, equity and inclusion programs, arguing that several major companies have instead retained the policies, changed their terminology or incorporated them into broader workplace initiatives.
Consumers’ Research named eight companies in a report released Friday: 7-Eleven, Carhartt, DraftKings, Duluth Trading Co., Traeger, Bank of America, BlackRock and Nike.
“7Eleven, Carhartt, DraftKings, Duluth Trading Co, Traeger, Bank of America, BlackRock, and Nike are evidence Woke is still alive and well in corporate America,” the organization claimed.
The report arrives as corporate DEI programs have faced sustained political and consumer pressure, while some Democratic politicians have also attempted to distance themselves from aspects of the identity politics associated with what has sometimes been called “Woke 1.0.”
“Woke 1 was crazy…” pic.twitter.com/RAro2xfVMp
— Will Hild (@WillHild) August 28, 2026
Consumers’ Research Executive Director Will Hild argues that apparent changes at corporations should not necessarily be interpreted as abandonment of the underlying policies.
“Woke companies want you to believe they’ve moved on, but don’t be fooled,” Hild said in a statement provided to the Daily Caller News Foundation.
“Changing job titles, rebranding DEI as belonging, and calling ‘Woke 1’ crazy shouldn’t distract from the fact that wokeness in corporate America isn’t dead, they’ve just gotten quieter about it,” he added.
The report points first to 7-Eleven, whose corporate website continues to explicitly discuss DEI.
“We strive for equality and are committed to taking bold action when it comes to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion,” the company states.
Its strategy, according to the website, is organized around three areas: fostering an inclusive workplace, cultivating diverse talent and positively affecting communities. The convenience-store chain’s 2025 Impact Report also refers to its “wonderfully diverse employees.”
Carhartt drew scrutiny for a personnel change. The workwear company promoted Todd Corley, previously its senior vice president of inclusion and sustainability, to chief people and impact officer. Consumers’ Research characterized the promotion as placing Carhartt’s “chief woke enforcer in charge of HR and workplace culture.”
Duluth Trading Co. is another workwear business cited in the report.
On its “Humanity” webpage, the company says all employees participate in diversity, equity and inclusion training and discusses “inclusive talent recruitment.” Consumers’ Research argues that the language demonstrates DEI remains integrated into companywide employment practices.
DraftKings, meanwhile, uses the term “Global Belonging.” Consumers’ Research contends that the sports-betting company has effectively rebranded traditional DEI policies under terminology such as Inclusion, Equity and Belonging.
The report points to DraftKings’ January announcement that it had received recognition from Built In as one of its “Best Places to Work.” Consumers’ Research noted that Built In considers factors that include DEI programs when determining its awards.
DraftKings has previously been explicit about its policies.
“We have continued to prioritize our ongoing commitment to environmental, social, and governance (‘ESG’) issues,” CEO Jason Robins wrote in the company’s 2023 Sustainability Report, specifically identifying diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives among the areas the company had advanced.
Traeger Grills has also changed some of the terminology surrounding its initiatives.
The company stated in its 2024 proxy filing that its “formal Diversity Equity and Inclusion Policy” reflected its commitment to a diverse and inclusive workplace. Consumers’ Research says Traeger subsequently shifted toward the terminology “inclusion and belonging” in its 2025 annual report.
The advocacy group also targeted Traeger’s approach to suppliers. The company’s Sustainable Wood Sourcing Policy evaluates suppliers on ESG-related environmental and social criteria and provides for corrective-action requirements in some circumstances.
The remaining companies on the list—Bank of America, BlackRock and Nike—have faced similar conservative criticism for years.
Consumers’ Research focused heavily on Bank of America’s environmental commitments. The bank says it is pursuing net-zero greenhouse gas emissions in its financing activities, operations and supply chain before 2050. It has also announced a goal of mobilizing $1 trillion by 2030 to support the transition toward a low-carbon economy.
The advocacy organization characterized those commitments as part of a “radical climate agenda.”
BlackRock, the world’s largest asset manager, has made more visible changes to its internal DEI structure. The company reportedly merged its dedicated DEI operation into a broader “Talent and Culture” organization.
Consumers’ Research argues that the organizational change does not mean the underlying approach disappeared. It points to BlackRock’s employment language covering characteristics including sex, pregnancy, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation and genetic information.
Nike rounds out the eight companies.
Consumers’ Research criticized the sportswear giant over its LGBTQ-related “Be True” campaign and “No Pride, No Sport” initiative.
“All identities, bodies, and communities have the right to pursue their health and wellness goals safely, without concern or judgment,” Nike states on its Be True webpage.
