Retail giant Best Buy is garnering immense backlash on social media. Recently, a memo regarding a professional development program went viral on Twitter. In the same, it revealed that Caucasian people were not allowed to apply for the company’s leadership training.
Many were quick to compare the company to Bud Light and its potential downfall. Reacting to the viral note, one netizen wrote online:
O’Keefe Media was the first to publicize the viral memo on August 9, 2023. They attached two pictures alongside the tweet that showcased Best Buy’s note to its employees. In the same, the company announced that they were collaborating with McKinsey & Company to offer a three-month Leadership Essentials program. Speaking about the program, the memo noted:
“Participants will gain critical skills that will enhance their leadership through a mini-MBA style curriculum. Topics will include Strategy Development, Critical Thinking, Networking and Problem Solving.”
Those who wished to apply to the program had to meet the following criteria: must be a salaried Best Buy employee, must have work experience of more than one year in their current Best But role, and also:
“Identify as Black, Latino, Hispanic, Asian or Pacific Islander”
As one can see, Best Buy was allegedly not allowing Caucasian employees to participate in the program.
