Met Gala, Sinners, and Target’s Pay Cut: DEI Takes Center Stage
This week, the receipts were loud.
From the Met Gala to the box office to the boardroom—we saw exactly what happens when Black creativity is centered… and what happens when equity is ignored.
Let’s break it down.
The Met Gala Made It Plain
This year’s theme?
“Superfine: Tailoring Black Style.”
A full-on tribute to the artistry of Black fashion, from crisp tailoring to bold self-expression, rooted in the legacy of Black dandyism. It wasn’t just a visual celebration—it was a cultural correction. Because let’s be honest: Black influence has always been stitched into the fabric of fashion, it just hasn’t always been acknowledged.
And how did it perform?
🖤 $31 million raised—the most ever in Met Gala history.
Black creativity is the moment. And when it’s honored and elevated? It pays.
Sinners Dominates the Box Office
Let’s talk numbers.
Sinners, a film written and directed by a Black filmmaker and led by a mostly Black cast, is dominating the box office right now.
This isn’t an anomaly. It’s a reminder:
When Black storytellers are resourced, backed, and given the stage—we don’t just show up. We lead.
Hollywood, take note: the “Black-led doesn’t sell” myth is dead and buried.
Meanwhile, Target’s CEO Took an 87% Pay Cut
Let’s shift to retail.
Target’s CEO, Brian Cornell, made $77 million back in 2020.
In 2024? That dropped to $9.9 million. That’s an 87% decrease in compensation.
Why the drop?
Well, the numbers speak for themselves:
Market performance is down
Foot traffic is lower
Sales have dipped
And yes—public backlash around DEI rollbacks is real
When Target started walking back its public equity efforts, consumers noticed. The quiet removal of DEI messaging didn’t go unnoticed—it cost them trust.
And that trust? It directly affects what people buy, how often they shop, and whether they want to align with a brand at all.
Join me for our Virtual Juneteenth Event—a real conversation on how to turn culture into capital and use diversity as your business advantage.
We’ll break down how the digital pay gap isn’t just injustice—it’s untapped opportunity. And how showing up with purpose can lead to aligned partnerships, deeper trust, and real revenue.
Save your seat at the table → www.askardenia.co/juneteenth-event
DEI isn’t charity—it’s currency.
Come learn how to use it.