by Seroll Burt
February 26, 2025
The Atlanta-based company has heightened its ambitious DEI goals.
The Coca-Cola Company announced it is keeping diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives alive, saying it’s “good for our business,”
An annual report confirms the beverage giant’s commitment to keeping an inclusive workplace while highlighting the harm that anti-DEI policies can do.
“Our diverse, high-performing global employee base helps drive a culture of inclusion, innovation and growth,” the report read. “We aspire to develop a global workforce with diverse perspectives, experiences and backgrounds that reflect the broad range of consumers and markets we serve around the world.”
Coca-Cola admitted that a lack of DEI policies would make the company “unable to attract or retain specialized talent or top talent with diverse perspectives, experiences and backgrounds.”
While staying committed to “providing access to equal opportunities,” the company outlined how such efforts are “critical” to its overall growth and success—unlike other Fortune 500 companies that are dialing back on DEI efforts.
Shortly after President Donald Trump was sworn in as the 47th President of the United States, he signed an executive order canceling all DEI initiatives on the federal level, resulting in a domino effect of corporations eliminating their diversity, equity, and inclusion commitments. While Coke serves as a federal contractor, providing drinks to the military and several other institutions, Chief Financial Officer John Murphy said the company is “focused on having the best talent around the world,” according to Fortune, when asked if it will adhere to federal changes.
The company’s website highlights DEI as being “at the heart of our values and our growth strategy.” However, Murphy said, “Of course,” the team will “follow any change in regulations at the national level.”
The Atlanta-based company has heightened its ambitious DEI goals by identifying ways it will continue. By 2030, Coke plans to have women in 50% of senior leadership roles and guarantee both racial and ethnic representation remain high at all levels of its workforce within the United States.
Unlike other companies, Coke has continued to support the diverse efforts of diverse groups regardless of legislation passed down from Washington, D.C. Coke joined in on the celebration of Black women by sponsoring the 2024 Essence Fest in New Orleans. During Black History Month 2025, the company uplifted rising Black golf stars from HBCUs at the United Golfers Association (UGA) Invitational in Florida.
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