DEI rollbacks threaten Atlanta woman’s work for Black businesses
For Nikki Porcher, the past few months have been mentally exhausting.
Before the election, she did her research, reading Project 2025 front to back. Still, she has been surprised by Trump’s first 100 days.
“A lot of stuff that is happening, I knew was coming down the pipeline. However, I did not know it would happen so quickly, so swiftly and so immediately,” Porcher said.
Porcher founded the Atlanta-based nonprofit Buy From A Black Woman to support Black women-owned businesses through events, funding, educational programs and its online business directory.
Since launching the organization in 2016, she has shepherded it through shifting tides — when companies rushed to support diversity initiatives after the murder of George Floyd, to now as the Trump administration has put diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives in its crosshairs.
Trump’s attacks on DEI has led some corporations to pull back their support.
Clothing giant H&M had for years sponsored Buy From a Black Woman’s summer tour highlighting Black women businesses.
But Porcher’s relationship with the clothing company crumbled in March and she ended the multiyear partnership after “the alignments were no longer there,” she said
According to H&M, communication broke down after a “misinterpretation” of a suggestion proposed by H&M for a March event “intended to amplify the partnership.”
The company remains committed to diversity and inclusion, it said in a statement. Porcher said she is continuing to support Black women-owned businesses, no matter what the administration does.
Georgians react
To gauge the effects of the administration’s first 100 days, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution spoke with residents who have lived with the results. Amid a blitz of executive orders, tariffs, lawsuits, layoffs and funding cuts, they’re exhausted, thrilled, scared, hopeful. Here are their stories:
An Emory research study on Alzheimer’s comes to abrupt halt
Shrimp boat owner hopes tariffs will revive local fishermen
From hopeful foster mom to unemployed CDC worker
Pardoned Jan. 6 defendant wants Democrats punished
Her husband was arrested by immigration agents
DEI rollbacks threaten Atlanta woman’s work
Tariff ‘gloom and doom’ for Atlanta wine seller
Atlanta entrepreneur steers clients through trade war
AJC poll: Trump’s support sinks in Georgia as economic fears rise
This summer, she will still host a series of pop-ups at Black-owned stores to emphasize “we have our own shelves. We do not have to rely on these big box corporations.”
“What type of business owner would I be if my work can be erased that easily? I’ve done things before this partnership and I will continue,” she said. “Our work is much bigger than just one partnership.”
More coverage of Trump’s effects on Georgia
The first 100 days: Georgians are scared, thrilled about changes
CDC cuts factor into Georgia Senate race
More logging in Georgia’s national forests? It’s possible under a new directive
After layoffs, federal employees navigate uncertain job market
Afraid of church: Some immigrant faithful stay away on Sunday
Georgia protests show growing resistance against Trump administration
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About the Author
Mirtha Donastorg is a reporter on The Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s business team focusing on Black wealth, entrepreneurship, and minority-owned businesses as well as innovation at Atlanta’s HBCUs.
