Sen. London Lamar responds to Republican AG’s attack on Black workers, business owners

Letter from Tenn. attorney general threatens corporate America for programs that prioritize equitable hiring, contracting practices

NASHVILLE — Sen. London Lamar, D-Memphis, says a move by Tennessee’s attorney general will undermine economic opportunity for Black workers and business owners.

The Republican official sent a letter today with a public threat to corporate America to end business programs that prioritize equitable hiring and contracting with Black Americans — or else “you will be held accountable.”

Sen. Lamar said the AG’s move is an abuse of power.

“There is an appalling lack of representation in corporate America. For instance, there are only eight Black CEOs leading Fortune 500 companies — and that’s a record high number,” said Lamar, who is also the chairwoman of the Senate Democratic Caucus.

“If Tennessee’s Republican attorney general succeeds in bullying companies into ending their programs to hire and work with Black Americans, the consequences will be devastating,” she said.

Fortune Magazine featured the eight Black CEOs at Fortune 500 companies in an article last month, calling the number a “record high.”