Jack Daniel's Maker Brown-Forman Ends DEI, HRC’s Corporate Equality Programs

Aug 22, 2024, 01:34 PM

Jack Daniel's whiskey maker, Brown-Forman, has announced the termination of its corporate diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs. The decision includes ending participation in the HRC’s Corporate Equality Index. This move comes amid scrutiny from activists like Robby Starbuck, who claimed to have more than 15GB of evidence against the company's practices. Brown-Forman, which owns brands such as Old Forester and Woodford Reserve, reportedly made the announcement preemptively to avoid potential backlash. This move aligns with a broader trend of companies reassessing their DEI initiatives in response to public and internal pressures.