In this Dec. 13, 2016 file photo, actor Forest Whitaker poses for photographers at the "Rogue One: A Star Wars Story" premiere in London. (Photo by Joel Ryan/Invision/AP, File)
NEW YORK (AP) --
The Fox network says Oscar-winning actor Forest Whitaker will guest-star in a multi-episode arc on "Empire" this fall.
Whitaker will play "Uncle Eddie," a charismatic music mogul who long ago gave an unknown Lucious Lyon (series star Terrence Howard) his first radio airplay. Now, decades later, Eddie steps up for Lucious at a critical moment during his rehabilitation. A grateful Cookie (Taraji P. Henson) invites Eddie to produce a song in celebration of Empire Entertainment's 20th anniversary.
Whitaker's film credits include last year's "Arrival," ''Lee Daniels' The Butler" and "The Last King of Scotland," for which he won the Oscar for best actor as well as a Golden Globe award.
Pepsi soft drinks in plastic bottles are on sale at a grocery store in New York on Weds., Nov. 15, 2023. (AP Photo/Ted Shaffrey, File)
PepsiCo confirmed Friday that it's ending some of its diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, even as rival Coca-Cola voiced support for its own inclusion efforts.
In a memo sent to employees, PepsiCo CEO Ramon Laguarta said the company will no longer set goals for minority representation in its managerial roles or supplier base. The company will also align its sponsorships to events and groups that promote business growth, he said.
Laguarta wrote that inclusion remains important to PepsiCo, whose brands include Gatorade, Lay's potato chips, Doritos, Mountain Dew as well as Pepsi. The Purchase, New York-based company's chief diversity officer will transition to a broader role focused on employee engagement, leadership development and ensuring an inclusive culture, he said.
Since President Donald Trump returned to the White House last month, U.S. government agencies, companies and schools have rushed to reevaluate policies and programs they adopted with the goal of reducing discrimination against members of minority groups, women and LGBTQ+ people.
Trump ended DEI programs within the federal government and has warned schools to end DEI programs or risk losing federal money.
PepsiCo's rollback came as Coca-Cola reaffirmed support for its DEI efforts.
In its annual report, Atlanta-based Coke warned that its business could be negatively affected if it is unable to attract employees that reflect its broad range of customers.
"Failure to maintain a corporate culture that fosters innovation, collaboration and inclusion … could disrupt our operations and adversely affect our business and our future success," the company said.
Coca-Cola has set a goal of having women in 50% of its senior leadership roles by... Read More
