As Sean Combs grapples with a surge in sexual abuse lawsuits and steps down from his chairman role at Revolt, repercussions are unfolding in another sector of his empire. Over a dozen companies have cut ties with his recently launched e-commerce platform, Empower Global, in the wake of allegations made against the producer-turned-entrepreneur.
A total of 18 brands have confirmed to Rolling Stone that they have terminated their associations with the online marketplace for Black-owned businesses. R&B singer Casandra “Cassie” Ventura and three other women have accused Combs of sexual assault and physical violence, prompting these companies to sever their connections.
Annette Njau, founder of luxury-bag, eyewear, and apparel company House of Takura, stated, “This decision was made on the day that Casandra Ventura filed her lawsuit. We take the allegations against Mr. Combs very seriously and find such behavior abhorrent and intolerable.”
Annette Azan, founder of Nuudii System, and Lenard Grier, co-founder of No One Clothiers, echoed similar sentiments, emphasizing their commitment to principles of respect and victims’ rights.
The founder of Tsuri, Ashli Goudelock, emphasized her company’s unequivocal stance against mistreatment of women, leading to the decision to sever ties with Empower Global.
High-end jewelry purveyor Fulaba, a featured brand on the site, joined the exodus, with founder Haby Barry stating, “Fulaba is all about empowering women and girls. We will not associate with anything or anyone that is counter to our values.”
Some brands have already been removed from the site, marking a swift decline for Empower Global since its splashy launch in July. Despite Combs’ initial excitement and significant investment, the platform faces both the fallout from the allegations and reported lackluster performance.
The platform, akin to Amazon, charges sellers a $35 monthly subscription and a 10 percent sales cut. However, discontented brands cite both the allegations against Combs and the platform’s alleged underperformance as reasons for severing ties.
While a few brands remain with Empower Global, a majority express concerns, with at least one seeking financial redress. The tumultuous situation unfolds amidst a series of sexual assault allegations against Combs, who vehemently denies all accusations.
Beyond Empower Global, Combs’ other ventures, including Sean John apparel and his deals with liquor giant Diageo, face scrutiny in the aftermath of the allegations. Diageo is contesting Combs’ request for a court injunction related to marketing dollars and warns of potential damage to the DeLéon tequila brand. As smaller companies sever ties, the broader impact on Combs’ brand portfolio becomes increasingly apparent.