Introduction to Law & Order: Organized Crime

The Law & Order franchise has been around since 1990, and with it we’ve seen a number of different characters, themes and evolutions in the show’s approach. Season five of the newest edition to the franchise, Law & Order: Organized Crime recently went live on Peacock. The series’ new home has provided the show the freedom to explore a different, grittier format and push boundaries it previously wasn’t able to do on network television.

Evolution of the Series

One of the ways Law & Order: Organized Crime is continuing to evolve is by leaning harder into representation. Increasingly, consumers want to see themselves represented in the imagery and stories the brands they engage with and buy from put forth. That desire for representation extends to entertainment. One study showed that 74% of consumers say that representation in marketing is important to them for the brands they engage with and buy from.

Representation in Law & Order: Organized Crime

Actress Danielle Mone Truitt plays Sargeant Ayanna Bell on the series. Truitt shared that she is thrilled to be “one of the first Black women to be number two on one of these shows." Bell added that it was an honor for her to represent both Black women, and the LGBTQ+ community, of which her character is a part of. LGBTQ+ representation on the Law & Order franchise has been a topic of discussion by fans, with even a Reddit thread of fans wishing for more positive LGBTQ+ primary characters.

Historical Portrayal of Black Characters

Fans have also had lots to say about the way the franchise has historically portrayed Black characters in the past. Many felt they leaned into common stereotypes that weren’t an accurate or full portrayal of what life is like for many people within the Black community. Truitt shared this is a common problem in Hollywood, and one that she’s experienced personally. She explained that Black women, “we’re not given a full life. We’re not given, depth in our characters. There are certain tropes that are put upon us.” She went on to add, “a lot of times Black women or people of color are not put in a position to see the full spectrum of who they are as a person.”

Character Development and Representation

As a lead character on the Law & Order: Organized Crime series, Truitt’s character is able to have that depth as fans are able to see and know more about her life. During our brief chat, Truitt brought up another important area of representation, that impacts the authenticity of her character and whether or not fans are able to see themselves in her, is in how Sgt. Bell’s hair is styled. Sgt. Bell’s hair is a hit, because the styles and vision for the styles are co-created with Truitt.

Authentic Representation of Black Hair

The actress explained, “I have my hand in as far as my character’s concerned is my hair. Okay…I think that Black women being able to have agency over what they look like on screen is very, very important.” Truitt’s involvement in her character’s hair has been an evolution. She shared, “I’ve had to have many conversations with the department and the producers and networks and staff of just talking about Black hair, Black hair care, how I can keep my hair on my head.” In one study on representation in marketing, respondents had a lot to say about the poor job many brands and entertainment studios do with presenting Black women’s hair.

Conclusion

While progress is being made in both Hollywood and by brands working to engage a broader consumer base, there is still more work to do to do an even better job with representation. It is good to see shows like Law & Order: Organized Crime listening to viewers and making strides in the right direction. It’s also time for more brands to listen to customers, and make more significant progress with representation to make more authentic, rather than keeping it at a superficial level.

FAQs

Q: What is Law & Order: Organized Crime about?
A: Law & Order: Organized Crime is a series that explores a different, grittier format and pushes boundaries it previously wasn’t able to do on network television.
Q: Why is representation important in entertainment?
A: Representation is important in entertainment because consumers want to see themselves represented in the imagery and stories the brands they engage with and buy from put forth.
Q: How is Law & Order: Organized Crime improving representation?
A: Law & Order: Organized Crime is improving representation by leaning harder into representation, including LGBTQ+ representation and authentic representation of Black hair and characters.
Q: What can brands learn from Law & Order: Organized Crime?
A: Brands can learn the importance of authentic representation and listening to customers to make more significant progress with representation.

On April 22, 2025, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced plans to terminate or reassign more than 450 employees involved in environmental justice and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. This move aligns with the Trump administration’s broader efforts to restructure federal agencies and reduce DEI programs.​

EPA Assistant Deputy Administrator Travis Voyles issued notices to staff within the Office of Environmental Justice and External Civil Rights, as well as regional employees working on environmental justice. The reduction in force will result in 280 employees being laid off and approximately 175 reassigned to other departments. These changes are part of the administration’s initiative to close the Office of Environmental Justice and External Civil Rights.​

The EPA stated that this action is necessary to align the workforce with the agency’s current and future needs, aiming to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of its programs. However, critics argue that dismantling these offices could adversely affect disadvantaged communities that have historically faced higher levels of pollution and environmental hazards.​

Established in 1992 and expanded in 2022, the Office of Environmental Justice and External Civil Rights was designed to address environmental disparities affecting marginalized communities. The recent layoffs coincide with the removal of the agency’s environmental justice webpage and related resources, signaling a significant shift in the EPA’s focus and priorities.​

People walk past Target Store in Midtown Manhattan on March 6, 2025 in New York City, United States. Target CEO Brian Cornell met with the Rev. Al Sharpton in New York as the retailer faces calls for a boycott and a slowdown in foot traffic that began after it walked back key diversity, equity and inclusion programs, the civil rights leader told CNBC Wednesday.

Background on the Meeting

The meeting, which Target asked for, comes after some civil rights groups urged consumers not to shop at Target in response to the retailer’s decision to cut back on DEI. While Sharpton has not yet called for a boycott of Target, he has supported efforts from others to stop shopping at the retailer’s stores. “You can’t have an election come and all of a sudden, change your old positions,” Sharpton told CNBC in a Wednesday interview ahead of the meeting. “If an election determines your commitment to fairness then fine, you have a right to withdraw from us, but then we have a right to withdraw from you.”

Demands and Expectations

The civil rights leader said he would consider calling for a Target boycott if the company doesn’t confirm its commitment to the Black community and pledge to work with and invest in Black-owned businesses. “I said, ‘If [Cornell] wants to have a candid meeting, we’ll meet,'” Sharpton said of the phone call Target made to his office. “I want to first hear what he has to say.” A Target spokesman confirmed to CNBC that the company reached out to Sharpton for a meeting and that Cornell will talk to him in New York this week.

Aftermath of the Meeting

On Thursday afternoon, Sharpton issued a statement after the meeting, calling it “constructive and candid.” “I am going to inform our allies, including Rev. Dr. Jamal Bryant, of our discussion, what my feelings are, and we will go from there,” said Sharpton. Bryant, a pastor in the Atlanta area, organized a 40-day boycott of Target that began in early March. The pastor has weighed whether to extend it and Sharpton had considered taking the boycott national.

Impact on Target

In January, Target said it would end its three-year DEI goals, no longer share company reports with external diversity-focused groups like the Human Rights Campaign’s Corporate Equity Index and end specific efforts to get more products from Black- and minority-owned businesses on its shelves. Just days after the announcement, foot traffic at Target stores started to slow down. Since the week of Jan. 27, Target’s foot traffic has declined for 10 straight weeks compared to the year-ago period, according to Placer.ai, an analytics firm that uses anonymized data from mobile devices to estimate overall visits to locations.

Wider DEI Retreat

With its decision to roll back DEI efforts, the cheap chic retailer Target joined Walmart, McDonald’s, Tractor Supply and a slew of others that scrapped at least some DEI initiatives as they grew concerned that the programs could alienate some customers or land them in the crosshairs of President Donald Trump, who has vowed to end every DEI program across the federal government. Target’s decision contrasted with Costco, which shook off pressure from conservative activists to maintain its DEI programs.

Comparison with Other Companies

In the month of March, Target’s store traffic declined 6.5%, while the metric rose 7.5% year over year at Costco, Placer.ai data show. Target’s challenges run deeper than DEI backlash, and resistance to its policy change only added to its issues. The discounter’s annual revenue has been roughly flat for four years in a row as it’s struggled to drive consistent sales gains.

Questions and Commitments

In his meeting with Cornell, Sharpton said he will ask for Target to follow through on pledges it made after police killed George Floyd in the company’s hometown of Minneapolis. “You made commitments based on the George Floyd movement … what changed?” said Sharpton. “Are you trying to say … everything’s fine now, because the election changed? That’s insulting to us.” In the wake of Floyd’s murder, Cornell said the event moved him.

Conclusion

The meeting between Target CEO Brian Cornell and the Rev. Al Sharpton marks a significant moment in the ongoing debate over diversity, equity, and inclusion programs in corporate America. As companies face pressure from both sides, they must navigate complex issues of social responsibility, customer expectations, and bottom-line concerns. The outcome of this meeting and the subsequent actions of Target and other companies will be closely watched, as they have the potential to impact not only the companies themselves but also the broader social landscape.

FAQs

Q: What prompted the meeting between Target CEO Brian Cornell and the Rev. Al Sharpton?
A: The meeting was prompted by Target’s decision to roll back its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs, which led to calls for a boycott and a slowdown in foot traffic at Target stores.

Q: What did Sharpton say about Target’s decision to end its DEI goals?
A: Sharpton expressed disappointment and frustration, stating that Target’s decision was insulting and suggested that the company was abandoning its commitments to the Black community.

Q: How has Target’s foot traffic been affected since the announcement?
A: According to Placer.ai, Target’s foot traffic has declined for 10 straight weeks compared to the year-ago period, with a 6.5% decline in March.

Q: How does Target’s decision compare to other companies?
A: Target’s decision to roll back DEI efforts is part of a wider trend, with companies like Walmart, McDonald’s, and Tractor Supply also scaling back their DEI initiatives. However, companies like Costco have maintained their commitment to DEI programs.

Q: What is the potential impact of the meeting between Cornell and Sharpton?
A: The meeting could lead to Target reaffirming its commitment to DEI programs or facing further backlash, including a potential boycott. The outcome will be closely watched, as it has implications for the company, its customers, and the broader social landscape.