Charlotte recently witnessed a 24-hour ‘economic blackout,’ a nationwide boycott of large corporations like Target, Walmart, and Amazon. Organized by The People’s Union USA, the grassroots movement aimed to disrupt the economy and send a strong message to corporations about their diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) practices. The boycott encouraged consumers to avoid major retailers and instead support small, local businesses. Entrepreneur Cathay Dawkins, CEO of Black Business Owners of Charlotte, leveraged the boycott to host Black Food Truck Fridays, drawing thousands of attendees. Dawkins emphasized the importance of supporting small businesses and warned that politicizing diversity harms marginalized communities. Some large retailers reported normal traffic despite the boycott, but smaller businesses like Beatties Ford Road Hardware saw increased patronage. The movement, which gained traction amid concerns over economic security and inflation, is expected to continue with future actions planned, including another boycott in April. — news from Charlotte Observer