As both a retailer and resource for your campus, creating a safe and welcoming environment for your customers is a top priority. We've gathered some valuable resources and articles for you below. We hope these help you start conversations within your teams and enact plans and policies that ensure all feel like a valued part of your community.

If you'd like to know more about what ICBA is doing as an organization to support Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion, read our Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Commitment.

NOTE: Newest resource items will be marked "NEW" with date.

ICBA has created an Anti-Racist & Social Justice Recommended Reading List curated by ICBA Member Stores.

A special thank you to the ICBA Member Stores who helped curate this list:
Brown University Bookstore, California State University Fullerton Titan Shops, The Cornell University Store, Grinnell College Pioneer Bookshop, Gustavus Adolphus The Book Mark, Iowa State University Book Store, University of California San Diego Bookstore, University of Kansas Bookstores, University of Minnesota Bookstores, University of New Mexico Bookstore, The University of Oregon Duck Store, University of Wisconsin Madison Book Store, University of Wisconsin Oshkosh University Books & More, and Utah Valley University Bookstore.

Below are articles that explore the value diversity adds to the retail industry.

NEW (June 10, 2025) 'I feel disposable': Confessions of a transgender Target employee after DEI pullback - Viewpoint from an affected transgender employee on the mental toll and workplace effects of Target stepping back from DEI.
Published by: Modern Retail

NEW (June 5, 2025) DEI may have gone out of fashion at big brands, but some smaller ones are sticking to their policies - Two founders of national brands sold at retail share about the importance and manifestation of viewing DEI as a guarantee and core value versus a program.
Published by: Retail Brew

NEW (May 2, 2025) DEI is winning with Costco, Apple and Levi’s shareholders - Near-unanimous shareholder votes show that large & small investors alike do not want companies’ boards of directors & management to bend to activist shareholders, and investors believe maintaining DEI programs is good for business; also looks at this vote strategy by opponents of DEI.
Published by: CNN

(March 21, 2025) Women's sports bars expected to quadruple across the U.S. in 2025
Published by: NBC News

Retail’s DEI Road Map, Where to Go From Here
Published by: TotalRetail

Want Gen Z to Think Positively About Your Brand? Here’s What They Want to See
Published by: YPulse

Diversity and Inclusion in Retail - Getting Comfortable Having Uncomfortable Conversations
Published by: Loss Prevention Magazine

How Organizations Can Progress DEI in the Retail Industry
Published by: Lever Recruiting

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Retail: Breaking Down the Task Ahead
Published by: Bain & Company

Do Young Consumers Think Brands Have Been Following Through On Their Anti-Racism Promises?
Published by: YPulse

Championing Anti-Racism Work Within Your Customer Support Team
Published by: Nicereply

Inclusivity Is the New Wave of Retail – Here’s How to Implement
Published by: Medallion Retail

The Diversity Imperative in Retail 
Published by: McKinsey & Company

How Important is Diversity for Successful Retail?
Published by: brand-experts.com

Learn more about the impact of Diversity & Inclusion on retail businesses, as well as some insights on changes you can make within your organization. 

NEW 6/2 - Pew Poll Finds Acceptance of Transgender People in the US is Low
Published by: The Associated Press - Looks at women in CEO roles and in retail especially, the gender leadership gap, & 4 things retail organizations must do differently to empower inclusive leadership

NEW 5/25 - Why Inclusive Leadership Matters Now More Than Ever
Published by: The World Retail Congress & Russell Reynolds Associates - Looks at women in CEO roles and in retail especially, the gender leadership gap, & 4 things retail organizations must do differently to empower inclusive leadership

Experiences of LGBTQ People in Four-Year Colleges and Graduate Programs
Published by: The Williams Institute, UCLA

LGBTQ+ Students in Higher Education
Published by: Postsecondary National Policy Institute (PNPI)

An Educated Guess: Anti-DEI Legislation Raises Legal and Practical Concerns for Colleges and Universities
Published by: ArentFox Schiff (Legal Counsel to NACS, home to The Center for Racial Equity)

Now Is Not The Time To Give Up On DEI - New research shows diversity, equity, and inclusion are valuable contributors to a company’s ability to navigate change.
Published by: Bain & Co.

Below are articles that highlight actions you can take to ensure all are welcome and included in your community.

NEW 5/25 - 16 Ways Company Leaders Can Defend DEI Initiatives Amid Rising Challenges
Published by Forbes/Forbes Human Resources Council - Looks at importance of business strategy, data, proof, & language - including how DEI is "stuck on representation and not addressing the systems that prevent access," and the value of shifting from policy-driven training and development to an "empathy-plus-experience-based approach."

Inside the Rise of Inclusive Mannequins
Published by: Glossy

How Retailers Can Welcome the "Inclusive Consumer" at Every Step
Published by: Retail Brew

3 Tips for More Accessible Social Media
Published by: PR Daily