ATLANTA (AP) — The pastor of a Georgia megachurch who led a nationwide 40-day “fast” boycott of Target stores over the retail chain’s commitment to diversity initiatives is now calling for that effort to continue as a “full Target boycott.”

The Rev. Jamal Bryant said this week that the Minneapolis-based retailer has not met all of the boycott effort’s demands. Among them: Restoring its commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion principles and pledging money to Black-owned banks and businesses.

Target announced in January that it would phase out a handful of DEI initiatives, including a program designed to help Black employees build meaningful careers and promote Black-owned businesses. Conservative activists and President Donald Trump have sought to dismantle DEI policies in the federal government and schools.

Bryant is the pastor of one of the South’s largest churches, New Birth Missionary Baptist Church in Stonecrest, Georgia, just outside Atlanta. The 40-day “fast” of Target stores coincided with the beginning of Lent on March 5, and other faith leaders endorsed the protest.

“Until Target comes to the table with serious, concrete proposals to meet our four demands, we will remain in this posture,” Bryant said on a website dedicated to the boycott effort.

“Silence and delay are no longer acceptable,” he added. “Our communities deserve action, not platitudes. Our demands are not radical — they are righteous, reasonable, and long overdue.”

In a statement Wednesday, Target said, “we have an ongoing commitment to creating a welcoming environment for all team members, guests, and suppliers.”

“It’s core to how we support and grow our business,” the company said. “We remain focused on supporting organizations and creating opportunities for people in the 2,000 communities where we live and operate.”

Target operates nearly 2,000 stores nationwide and employs more than 400,000 people.

The Twins haven’t gotten to see the full scope of Luke Keaschall’s abilities at the major league level — and they’re not likely to soon. Keaschall is still rehabbing from Tommy John surgery on his right elbow that he underwent last August, but what they have seen has been more than enough.

“He has settled in very quickly,” manager Rocco Baldelli said. “It’s almost like there was no settling. He just came in ready to play. The game doesn’t appear too fast for him in any way. He seems ready for everything that’s come his way so far.”

The Twins called Keaschall up over the weekend, and he has provided an immediate jolt, collecting five hits — including two doubles — stealing three bags and scoring three runs in his first four games heading into Wednesday’s contest. His aggressive, heads up baserunning led to a run on Tuesday for the Twins in a game in which he reached base three times.

“It’s the same game, just at a higher level,” Keaschall said. “(I) try to stay level-headed and go out there and compete.”

So far, so good.

Keaschall started at second base on Wednesday for the second time in his first five games. As he builds his arm strength back up, the next steps will be increasing his time at second. In three of his first four games, he was the designated hitter.

He’s not sure when, but at some point, he’ll start getting reps in the outfield, too. As a minor leaguer, he has played mainly a mix of second base, first base and center field, with second being the position he has seen the most time at.

“If you look at the way Luke was throwing the ball at the very, very beginning of camp and then you look at the way he’s throwing the ball now, he has made really good progress and jumps,” Baldelli said. “It looks totally different. And he’ll continue to get better as he’s on this program.”

But even though he’s not fully ready to contribute in the field like he one day will be able to, Keaschall, the Twins’ No. 3 prospect per MLB Pipeline, has adapted quickly to the major league level and everything else put on his plate.

“That was pretty quick for any young player to come up and look that comfortable,” Baldelli said. “He’s taking the game to the opposition. He’s showing everyone what he’s capable of.”

Lewis nears rehab

Royce Lewis stood at home plate and made a swinging motion before setting off towards second base in the hours before Wednesday’s game, part of a set of baserunning activities that also included sliding.

Both were good indicators that the third baseman is nearing a rehab assignment, which could potentially come later this week. Lewis suffered a moderate strain of his left hamstring on March 16, running to first base during a spring training game.

“I’ve been through this, unfortunately, enough where I know you’ve got to check off some things like baserunning and sliding and doing all that before you get into games. But it’s a good sign because it means I’m close,” Lewis said.

Briefly

Chris Paddack will start Thursday’s series finale against the Chicago White Sox, a game that will start at 12:10 p.m. Paddack, who is coming off of a strong start in Atlanta, gave up nine runs when he faced the White Sox in his first start of the season.

A comedy about a Duran Duran fan, the story of Minneapolis jazz singer Doris Hines and a new musical about the St. Paul Winter Carnival are on tap for the History Theatre’s newly announced 2025-26 season.

“Looking ahead at this season we hope you’ll discover untold stories that reach across the nation as well as our own back yard,” said managing director Karen Meuller in a news release. “From the East Side neighborhood of St. Paul where boyhood friends Harry Blackmun and Warren Burger grew up to become Supreme Court Justices to downtown St. Paul’s winter castle showcase designed by architect Clarence Wesley ‘Cap’ Wigington this season is truly full of discovery and achievement.”

Season subscriptions are $299 (five shows), $255 (four shows) and $202 (three shows), with discounts available for seniors. Current subscribers can renew now, with sales opening to new subscribers on May 15. Single tickets go on sale July 19. See historytheatre.com for details.

The lineup includes:

“Don’t Miss Doris Hines” (Sept. 18-Oct. 12): This show by TyLie Shiders tells the story of Doris Hines, a local nighclub singer determined to establish a career in show business. The title comes from something Nat King Cole reportedly told Ella Fitzgerald, who did indeed see Hines live. Hines is the mother of Sounds of Blackness director Gary Hines.

“Rollicking! A Winter Carnival Musical” (Nov. 20-Dec. 21): When St. Paul city architect Clarence “Cap” Wigington is tasked with designing an ice palace for the Winter Carnival, he and his wife, Viola, get much more than they bargain for when the magic of the carnival enters their lives. Keith Hovis and Rachel Teagle wrote this new musical, which explores “the strange and wonderful world of the St. Paul Winter Carnival and the resilience, imagination and heart that make Minnesota such a wonderful place, especially in the snow.”

“Whoosh!” (Jan. 29-Feb. 22): First seen at the 2022 Minnesota Fringe Festival, this comical ghost story is performed by solo artist Andrew Erskine Wheeler, who portrays multiple characters involved in Minneapolis’ St. Anthony Falls in the days immediately following the state’s involvement in the Civil War. Folk band the Lost Forty will accompany the production.

“Hungry Like the Wolf” (March 19-April 12): Sandra Struthers, who has starred in the History Theatre’s popular “Glensheen,” wrote this comedy that blends narrative storytelling, sketch comedy, off-kilter game shows a host of ’80s hits. It explores the first American bank strike and fight for women’s labor rights, an ’80s TV movie flop, a starlet’s battle with McCarthyism and a young woman’s obsession with Duran Duran.

“Courting Harry” (May 14-June 7, 2026): A revisit of a History Theatre classic by Lee Blessing follows Minnesota natives Supreme Court Chief Justice Warren Burger and Justice Harry Blackmun, best friends growing up in the same St. Paul neighborhood, who remained close despite their differing career paths, not to mention their often conflicting personal and political ideologies.

Related Articles

Twin Cities Improv Festival to feature performers from the metro, Chicago and beyond

For dancers, St. Croix Ballet’s ‘Coppélia’ represents years of training

Tamara Kangas Erickson tapped to head Chanhassen Dinner Theatres

Film adaptations, Sondheim and ‘Glensheen’ coming to local theaters

‘The Wizard of Oz,’ a hungry crocodile and the Grinch on tap for new Children’s Theatre Company season

The pastor of a Georgia megachurch who led a nationwide 40-day “fast” boycott of Target stores over the retail chain’s commitment to diversity initiatives is now calling for that effort to continue as a “full Target boycott.”

The Rev. Jamal Bryant said this week that the Minneapolis-based retailer has not met all of the boycott effort’s demands. Among them: Restoring its commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion principles and pledging money to Black-owned banks and businesses.

Target announced in January that it would phase out a handful of DEI initiatives, including a program designed to help Black employees build meaningful careers and promote Black-owned businesses. Conservative activists and President Donald Trump have sought to dismantle DEI policies in the federal government and schools.

Bryant is the pastor of one of the South’s largest churches, New Birth Missionary Baptist Church in Stonecrest, Ga., just outside Atlanta. The 40-day “fast” of Target stores coincided with the beginning of Lent on March 5, and other faith leaders endorsed the protest.

Target did not immediately respond to multiple requests for comment by phone and by email on Wednesday.

“Until Target comes to the table with serious, concrete proposals to meet our four demands, we will remain in this posture,” Bryant said on a website dedicated to the boycott effort.

“Silence and delay are no longer acceptable,” he added. “Our communities deserve action, not platitudes. Our demands are not radical — they are righteous, reasonable, and long overdue.”

Target operates nearly 2,000 stores nationwide and employs more than 400,000 people.

Related Articles

Al Sharpton calls meeting with Target’s CEO amid DEI backlash ‘very constructive and candid’

Target baby food is recalled over lead contamination

Target posts strong Q4 profits and sales, but warns of cautious spending as tariffs take hold

Florida files suit against Target, claiming DEI initiatives ‘misled investors’

Twin Cities organizers call for Target boycott starting Feb. 1 amid DEI rollbacks