Pastor Jamal Bryant Pens Open Letter to Cardi B Over Target Boycott: “I Come to You With a Chest Full of Love”

Pastor Jamal Bryant, a prominent voice behind the growing boycott against Target, has gone public with an open letter addressed to none other than rapper Cardi B—after she recently posted a selfie inside the retailer.

Bryant, who has been leading a grassroots movement of churches and community organizations urging the Black community to stop supporting Target, called out the company for what he describes as a betrayal of its commitments to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). He claims the brand has quietly backed away from initiatives that were meant to support Black communities and businesses.

In his heartfelt message to Cardi, Bryant didn’t lash out, but instead appealed to her sense of influence and solidarity, acknowledging her busy lifestyle and her unique role as a cultural leader with an enormous following of over 160 million.

“Dear @iamcardib, Grace and Peace to you! I come to you with a chest full of love,” Bryant began.

“Over the past couple of months, there has been a national boycott against @target because they have betrayed our community by dismantling diversity, equity, and inclusion.”

Bryant cited a range of issues fueling the boycott, including Target’s alleged retreat from investments in Black institutions such as historically Black colleges and banks, as well as its failure to engage meaningfully with community leaders.

“African Americans spend 12 million dollars a day, and yet they don’t see us as a viable partner,” he wrote. “We’ve asked them to invest in Black banks, Black colleges, and Black communities, and under pressure from the administration, they haven’t felt compelled to even respond.”

The pastor credited the movement with contributing to a drop in Target’s stock price, foot traffic, and even a reduction in the CEO’s salary. Despite the serious tone, he approached Cardi B with understanding, suggesting that her recent post from inside a Target store was likely made without awareness of the boycott’s goals.

“When I saw you post a picture of you and your beautiful family in the store, I felt certain that with your demanding schedule, you were probably unaware,” he wrote.

“Having 163 million following you is a great deal of influence, and many follow your lead. I hope you will visit targetfast.org and walk alongside us.”

He also acknowledged Cardi’s Afro-Latina identity, emphasizing that the movement includes not only Black communities but also Latino voices and laborers.

“I’m fully aware that you identify as Latino and that you have children who represent both communities,” he wrote. “To that end, you should know the movement has support and buy-in from the Latino community—and more specifically, workers.”

Bryant closed the letter by invoking Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., urging Cardi to consider the significance of her platform during a pivotal moment.

“Your presence could be part of the most effective boycott in 70 years since the Montgomery Bus Boycott,” he said. “In the words of Martin Luther King, ‘A person who doesn’t stand for something will fall for anything.’”

As of now, Cardi B has not responded publicly to Pastor Bryant’s letter. Whether she chooses to engage with the movement—or clarify her stance—remains to be seen.