Advancing racial equity

We're committed to tirelessly advocating for equality, inclusion and representation.

In this section:

Inspiring real change - past, present and future

We understand the need for deep, lasting changes to the systemic inequity faced by BIPOC communities. And we’re committed to both building on what’s already been created while taking on the challenges that meet the moment.

Real allyship is rooted in action

We’ve made our allyship resources publicly available to help other organizations create a culture of belonging.

Our recent actions on racial equity and allyship:

Our culture of belonging and commitment to equity has inspired more than 3,500 employees to attend the George Floyd Courageous Conversation on how to play a role in racial and social justice.

Our employee culture also inspired immediate action in Minneapolis and St. Paul in the aftermath of the events of 2020 to help distribute snack, hygiene and cleaning kits.

CEO Jeff Harmening signed his name to a statement urging state legislators to adopt policing reforms in Minnesota, which helped pass fundamental reforms.

We’re committed to diversity and equity in leadership and in our hiring process by increasing the representation of BIPOC in our management and leadership teams.

General Mills is dedicated to becoming a reflection of the world we seek where racial equity, diversity and inclusion nourish us all. General Mills' equity commitments include equitable food access, equity in education, and equity in representation. The company will direct its philanthropy to work with food banks and anti-hunger organizations to address food insecurity. General Mills will continue to build on its legacy of giving nearly $1 billion dollars to schools through Box Tops for Education. And the company will address representation by doubling the representation of Black Managers, increase overall representation of minorities to 25% and double its spend with minority-owned suppliers. General Mills is proud to be part of the Minnesota Business Coalition for Racial Equity to create sustainable and meaningful change around racial and social justice in its hometown. What General Mills is doing: the company made allyship resources publicly available to help organizations create a culture of belonging; committed to donating $500,000 to Black Men Teach to help increase the number of Black male elementary school teachers in Minnesota classrooms; and is co-investing $250,000 with the Minneapolis Foundation as part of their Reimagine Education initiative to support local nonprofit and education organizations increase equity in Twin Cities schools. What General Mills has done: "General Mills has been a leader in board and officer representation dating back to our first female board member in 1972. We know we live our purpose best when our workforce represents the diversity of our consumers," said Jeff Harmening, CEO of General Mills. What General Mills has done: 8% of Officers at General Mills are Black; 17% of the Senior Leadership Team are Black; and 17% of members of the General Mills Board of Directors are Black. What General Mills has done: contributed $20 million in charitable giving over the last 5 years (fiscal 2018 - 2022) to nonprofits in the Twin Cities. What General Mills has done: In fiscal 2021, the company pledged to double its spend with minority-owned suppliers to $171 million and exceeded the goal. In fiscal 2022, the company increased spend with minority-owned suppliers by 40%. What General Mills had done: Since 1991, the company has hosted the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Breakfast, and provided nearly $7 million in support to UNCF to help Black students get to and through college. What General Mills has done: Starting in 1953, the company began supporting the United Negro College Fund (UNCF); in 1972 the company appointed its first female board member; in 1973 the company hired its first minority officer; in 2016 the company launched the Courageous Conversations, aimed at providing safe and supporting place to have conversations about important social issues; in 2021 the company expanded public disclosure of detailed racial/ethnic workforce diversity data; and in 2022 the company held its third Employee Network Summit: Boldly Being; Boldly Belonging, including the newest network, Diversity Network. We’re making progress, and we have a lot more work to do. Click to view our allyship resources.

Click here for a pdf of our Racial Equity Commitments