September was all about celebrating the many ways Gap Inc. and our brands can – and do – matter deeply to our customers and in our communities. As we chart towards our 2025 Gap Inc. Commitments, that means participating in intentional activations to drive access, opportunity, and advancement of Black and Brown talent within the retail industry.
Once again, we were thrilled to attend and sponsor Harlem’s Fashion Row’s (HFR) 16th Annual Fashion Show & Style Awards. As a longstanding community partner of Gap Inc., HFR is the premier agency that is creating a bridge between brands and designers of color in fashion through brand strategy, collaborations, new media and more. Together with ICON360 (the company’s philanthropic arm), we’ve launched inclusive brand partnerships like Banana Republic x Harbison, created the ‘Closing the Gap’ initiative with HBCU (Historical Black Colleges and Universities) fashion programs, and developed the ‘Create with Audacity’ Design Apprenticeship Program – all with the purpose of further amplifying the next generation of Black fashion leaders and students. In its 16th year, the event celebrated both the 50th anniversary of hip-hop and Black creatives currently shaping the fashion landscape
As the month progressed, we looked inward to celebrate the diversity of our teams. As part of Latinx Heritage Month, our Equality & Belonging team partnered with Old Navy to host the second annual Tardeada (or afternoon gathering) during a special gathering of the brand’s store leadership in San Francisco. The event served as a vibrant homage to the Latinx community through music, art and food.
To experience the Tardeada and hear reflections from the community, employees can tune into the internal broadcast of Honoring and Celebrating Diverse Latinx Identities at Gap Inc. on Thursday, October 12th, where we’ll engage in candid conversations rooted within the Latinx diaspora while also highlighting the community’s rich cultural diversity.
To wrap the month, we sent selected Latinx and Black merchants and DEI practitioners from across our brands to the invitation-only NRF Foundation Emerging Leaders Summit. Geared towards young professionals of color, the event allowed our teams to hear from – and gain access to – top retail industry leaders within an intimate setting. As we work to revitalize our brands and build a culture of creativity, we know it’s vital for our young talent to see how other retailers are leveraging authenticity to create real meaning for customers.
As a reflection of our progress, we received the exciting news that Gap Inc. has been named the second most diverse and inclusive company on the Refinitiv Diversity & Inclusion Index. As with every big or small win for inclusivity, we accept this honor knowing that we have more work to do to ensure our teams, customers and communities feel seen and heard – but moments like the ones above confirm that we’re headed in the right direction.
Don’t miss out on the latest Gap Inc. news! Sign-up to get email alerts about news on Gap Inc. and our brands.