He urged congregants to attend a town hall meeting Tuesday, April 22, to which he had also invited Cornell and Target’s chairman of the board. The purpose of the meeting was to “plan and chart out what is our future going forward.” During the meeting, a panel discussed navigating the challenges the movement faces and emphasized the importance of supporting Black businesses.
Bryant told Easter worshipers that the boycott is “not a New Birth effort or a Jamal Bryant project” but is “a national move.”
In addition to calling on people to boycott Target, Bryant and New Birth coordinated an alternative shopping experience called the “Bullseye Black Market.” Posts on New Birth’s Facebook page advertised the Bullseye Black Market as taking place April 18-20. “Pull up, and show up. Buy black, build black wealth, and support black business,” said one post.
“This weekend we’re taking the Target Fast to the next level,” said another post. “This weekend we’re hosting the biggest black business market Atlanta has ever seen!”
Before the Easter service ended, Bryant introduced a business owner named Chantel Powell who had removed her product from Target and was participating in the Bullseye Black Market. Powell’s story is also featured on New Birth’s Facebook page.
“We are now in the new civil rights movement,” said Bryant. New Birth is the “epicenter of what is getting ready to take place.”
ChurchLeaders has reached out to Target and Pastor Jamal Bryant for comment and will update this article in the event of a reply.
