This June 18, 2017, file photo shows actor Jerrod Carmichael posing for photographers upon arrival at the premiere of the film 'Transformers The Last Knight' in London. (Photo by Joel Ryan/Invision/AP, File)
LOS ANGELES (AP) --
Jerrod Carmichael says he's leaving "The Carmichael Show," ending it after three seasons.
The comedian announced his departure from the NBC sitcom Friday.
NBC released a statement from NBC Entertainment Chairman Bob Greenblatt and President Jennifer Salke saying they were "enormously proud" of Carmichael's show and its combination of family sitcom elements with relevant social issues.
The 30-year-old co-creator and star wrote in a statement that he got to make a show that he loves with his friends, which is something he'd wanted to do since he was 13. He says he is now looking forward to other opportunities. He announced last year that he is writing a book that will be published by Random House.
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
