Bankole’s Nation: EPISODE 15: Noted Attorney Patterson Discusses Boycotting Target and the War on DEI

Attorney Tina M. Patterson, Esq. is the Principal Attorney at Patterson Justice Counsel, PLLC, and the President and Director of Research at The PuLSE Institute, a nationally recognized, nonpartisan anti-poverty think tank. Both organizations are based in Detroit.

With a decade of legal experience and a strong presence in public discourse, Patterson—a former U.S. federal government attorney—has led influential businesses and nonprofits. She is a trailblazer in executive leadership, one of the few Black women leading a major national think tank, and among the rare 2% of Black women lawyers in the U.S.

A respected analyst and speaker on law, public policy, and leadership, Patterson frequently advocates for equitable policies and women in leadership roles. She has spoken at numerous events, including The PuLSE Institute’s Global Women’s History Month program featuring UN Under-Secretary-General Dr. Natalia Kanem.

In this interview, journalist Bankole Thompson speaks with Patterson about the growing backlash against Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), highlighting companies like Walmart and Target that have ended their DEI programs. They discuss the historical impact of economic boycotts, referencing the Montgomery Bus Boycott led by Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. successfully desegregated public transportation.

As the fight against DEI intensifies, Thompson calls for a boycott of Target, while Patterson urges Black entrepreneurs with products in Target to embrace innovation and find alternative markets, emphasizing that Target no longer prioritizes DEI. The discussion also recognizes companies like Costco, JP Morgan Chase, Apple, and Microsoft for reaffirming their commitment to DEI.