In this April 12, 2018 file photo, Ryan Murphy presents the Stephen F. Kolzak award at the 29th annual GLAAD Media Awards in Beverly Hills, Calif. VH1โs fifth annual Trailblazer Honors will celebrate acclaimed director Murphy and Trayvon Martinโs parents. The event will air on June 28 on VH1 and Logo. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP, File)
LOS ANGELES (AP) --
VH1's upcoming Trailblazer Honors will celebrate television pioneer Ryan Murphy and Trayvon Martin's parents.
The event, now in its fifth year, recognizes champions of diversity and civil activism.
Murphy, known for creating "American Horror Story" and "Glee," is being recognized for leading the way on LGBTQ representation on television. His latest FX series, "Pose," has the largest LGBTQ cast ever for a scripted series.
Sybrina Fulton and Tracy Martin are the parents of Trayvon Martin, whose death sparked the #BlackLivesMatter movement. They are being recognized for their work on gun reform and social justice.
The American Civil Liberties Union and late author James Baldwin are also among this year's recipients.
The Trailblazer Honors will air as a one-hour special on VH1 and Logo on June 28 at 9:30 p.m. Eastern and Pacific.
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 โฆ 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
