5 Critical Facts About Sam's Club's Stance On DEI: The 2024 Policy Rollback Explained

The question of whether Sam's Club supports Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) has become a complex and highly scrutinized topic in late 2024, following significant policy changes by its parent company, Walmart. As of December 2025, the official corporate stance has transitioned away from formalized DEI departments and specific racial equity training programs, moving instead toward a broader focus on "Belonging" and general workplace inclusion.

This shift, which involved scaling back several key diversity initiatives, has sparked widespread public controversy and calls for a boycott, creating a nuanced and often contradictory picture of the company's commitment to equity. Understanding Sam's Club's current position requires a deep dive into the specific programs that were discontinued, the language currently being used, and the broader corporate context of Walmart's strategic changes.

Company Profile: Sam's Club and Walmart's Corporate Evolution

Sam's Club, officially Sam's West, Inc., operates as a leading chain of membership-only retail warehouse clubs. It is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the retail giant, Walmart Inc.

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• Founding Date: April 7, 1983
• Founder: Sam Walton
• Headquarters: Bentonville, Arkansas, U.S.
• Parent Company: Walmart Inc.
• Number of Locations: Nearly 600 clubs in the U.S. and Puerto Rico, as of late 2024.
• Core Business Model: High-volume, low-price merchandise sold to members, often in bulk.
• Key Corporate Connection: Sam's Club's corporate policies, including those related to Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) and workforce practices, are typically governed by or aligned with Walmart's overarching corporate strategy.

For years, Sam's Club and Walmart publicly promoted a robust commitment to DEI, often highlighting programs aimed at increasing representation, fostering an inclusive environment, and supporting diverse suppliers. This commitment was regularly detailed in annual reports, including the "Belonging, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Report."

The 2024 DEI Policy Rollback: What Changed and Why?

The most critical change to Sam's Club's stance on DEI occurred in 2024, primarily driven by decisions made at the Walmart Inc. corporate level. This shift has been a major source of public and internal debate.

Elimination of Formal DEI Functions

In April 2024, Walmart, which dictates the corporate structure for Sam's Club, reportedly scrapped its formal DEI function. The company stated that it had not operated a dedicated DEI function since that time.

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Ending Racial Equity Training

In a move that drew significant media attention in late 2024, Walmart announced plans to end "racial equity training programs for staff." These programs, which were designed to educate employees on systemic issues and foster a more equitable workplace, were discontinued as part of a broader re-evaluation of corporate training.

Re-evaluating Supplier Diversity Programs

The company also announced it would "evaluate programs designed to increase supplier diversity." Supplier diversity initiatives are crucial for promoting economic equity by ensuring a portion of the company's procurement spending goes to businesses owned by minorities, women, veterans, and other underrepresented groups. The evaluation signals a potential scaling back or restructuring of this key economic equity effort.

These rollbacks align with a growing trend among major U.S. corporations that have begun pulling back from formalized DEI initiatives, a trend often attributed to political pressure and legal challenges regarding race-conscious policies.

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Current Initiatives: 'Belonging' and Associate Resource Groups (ARGs)

Despite the significant scaling back of formal DEI functions, Sam's Club and Walmart have not entirely abandoned the concepts of inclusion and diversity. Instead, the focus has shifted to a framework centered on "Belonging" and existing internal support structures.

The Focus on "Belonging"

Sam's Club's current official corporate language emphasizes "Belonging." The company states it is committed to creating a culture where "everyone feels seen for who they are and empowered to show up as their best selves." This terminology is often used as a replacement or evolution of traditional DEI, focusing on the emotional and cultural experience of the employee rather than specific demographic targets or equity-focused training.

Associate Resource Groups (ARGs)

A core element of Sam's Club's remaining inclusion efforts is its support for Associate Resource Groups (ARGs). These employee-led groups are voluntary, company-sponsored communities that bring together associates who share a common identity, background, or set of interests.

ARGs at Sam's Club and Walmart provide several functions:

• Support and Community: They offer a network for associates to find support and mentorship.
• Business Insight: They offer valuable cultural insights to the business, helping to inform marketing and product strategy.
• Supplier Support: Some ARGs actively support diverse suppliers, connecting them with opportunities within Sam's Club.

DEI Champions Program

The company's "2024 Annual Belonging, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Report" also highlighted a "DEI Champions program." This initiative involves hundreds of associates across the organization who volunteer to foster conversations and promote an inclusive environment within their teams, acting as local inclusion advocates.

Talent Pipeline and Development

Sam's Club continues to emphasize internal mobility and development for all associates. Initiatives are in place to fast-track associates into various roles across Walmart and Sam's Club, which the company frames as an effort to ensure a diverse talent pipeline for leadership positions.

Public Reaction and The Boycott Controversy

The decision to scale back DEI programs has not been met without significant opposition. The controversy highlights the polarized nature of the DEI debate in the corporate world.

Calls for Boycott

Following the announcement of the policy rollbacks in late 2024, numerous online discussions and social media campaigns emerged calling for a boycott of both Walmart and Sam's Club. Critics argued that the move signaled a retreat from corporate social responsibility and a prioritization of political interests over equity and human rights.

Customer and Employee Sentiment

Customer reviews and public forums reflect a division in sentiment. While some consumers expressed support for the company's move away from what they term "woke" policies, others voiced disappointment, stating they would cancel their Sam's Club memberships due to the perceived elimination of DEI commitments.

The situation places Sam's Club in a delicate position, attempting to balance its commitment to a broad, inclusive workforce with the decision to dismantle the formal structures that traditionally managed its diversity and equity goals.

Conclusion: The Nuanced Reality of Sam's Club's Support

The current reality of Sam's Club's support for DEI is one of transition and complexity. While the company has officially dismantled its dedicated DEI function and ended specific programs like racial equity training, it maintains a stated commitment to "Belonging" and continues to fund internal Associate Resource Groups (ARGs).

For customers and employees, the critical distinction lies between a formal, structural commitment to *Equity*—which involves targeted programs to address systemic disparities—and a cultural commitment to *Inclusion* and *Belonging*—which focuses on the workplace experience. Sam's Club's 2024 policy changes indicate a decisive shift away from the former and a continued reliance on the latter, a move that will undoubtedly continue to be scrutinized by the public and stakeholders.