Jamal Bryant Accuses Black Church Leaders of ‘Selling Out’ to Target Amid $300K Donation Controversy
Megachurch pastor Jamal Bryant is calling out the leadership of four major Black church denominations—accusing them of “selling out” their communities by accepting a $300,000 donation from retail giant Target amid an ongoing boycott against the company’s rollback of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives.
During his sermon at New Birth Missionary Baptist Church in Stonecrest, Georgia, Bryant alleged that the National Baptist Convention USA, the National Baptist Convention of America, the National Missionary Baptist Convention, and the Church of God in Christ (COGIC) each received $75,000 from Target as part of a broader attempt by the company to sidestep the growing boycott.
“You thought you was going to go around me and go to the National Baptist Convention and sell out for $300,000? Are you crazy?” Bryant said. “You must not know who we are. Our Father is rich in houses and land.”
The explosive accusation comes after Bryant rejected a prior offer from Target and called for a national boycott under what he dubbed the “Target Fast.” That movement—rooted in calls for economic justice—demands that Target follow through on its $2 billion pledge to Black businesses, deposit $250 million across 23 Black-owned banks, restore its franchise-wide DEI commitments, and establish retail business centers at 10 HBCUs.
Bryant, speaking to an energized congregation, insisted the donation undermines collective efforts to hold corporations accountable. “They gave them Negroes $75,000 each just to sit down and roll over. Not me, Jack,” he said. “I gave the president of the National Baptist Convention one week to put in writing that they stand with the boycott and the marginalized.”
In response, Rev. Dr. Boise Kimber, president of the National Baptist Convention USA, released a statement defending the organization’s partnership with Target.
“The National Baptist Convention USA is committed to ensuring that corporations doing business in our communities give back to help rebuild and stabilize neighborhoods,” Kimber said. “The partnership with Target Corporation is based on our shared commitment to community empowerment through small-business and entrepreneur development, investments in education and student support, and workforce and skill development that unlocks growth across our communities.”
He added that the current donation from Target will help the convention provide scholarships, support senior citizens, and fund entrepreneurship programs.
“If I thought Target was not sincere in their commitment to the African American community — I would be the first one on the picket line,” Kimber said. “Our communication with Target has been at the highest level and we are continuing the dialogue.”
Target, when asked to comment on the donation amount, confirmed only that it is partnering with the NBCUSA to support “education, economic development, and entrepreneurship,” without addressing specific figures.
Bryant, however, remains unconvinced. “Target’s been playing in my face—hiring influencers, artists, and athletes to distract us,” he said. Quoting The Color Purple, he warned: “Until you do right by me, nothing you do is going to work.”
Journalist and media personality Roland Martin also condemned the denominations, stating publicly:
“I know for a fact they’ve received $300,000 from Target… the National Baptist Convention USA is selling out Black America with Target.”
The boycott—now in its 18th week—has contributed to a significant dip in Target’s quarterly earnings. CEO Brian Cornell acknowledged the campaign’s impact during a May earnings call, saying it “played a role” in a 2.8% drop in first-quarter sales.
Bryant’s message was clear: the Black church cannot be bought. “We will break Target. We will break Dollar General. And we will break any company that doesn’t honor our dignity while trying to take our dollar. The devil is a lie. Something’s got to break.”
