It’s not enough to “not be racist”, our humanity demands that we be anti-racist.&nbsp;

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Creating a culture of warmth and belonging, where everyone is welcome has long been core to the Mission and Values at Starbucks.&nbsp;

Hate and discrimination have no place at Starbucks. The company is committed to promoting racial equity and justice, and knows this work begins with itself first. Living its Mission and Values, Starbucks has been listening, reflecting and acting — the company continues to be accountable, learning every single day. And while the company has made progress forward, the truth is that there is much more to do.

In 2020, Starbucks Canada built its Anti-Racism Action Plan to hold itself accountable to be anti-racist and to support its broader efforts to advance inclusion, diversity, equity and justice. This plan includes:

Support for current and future partners

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Support for our communities&nbsp;

Educating within to be anti-racist

Zero-tolerance for discrimination

In&nbsp;everything Starbucks does in this work, the company&nbsp;strives to be grounded&nbsp;in transparency, accountability and taking meaningful action.&nbsp;Our work is far from complete, but Starbucks will not be a bystander. Ever.

Creating a culture of warmth and belonging, where everyone is welcome has long been core to the Mission and Values at Starbucks.

Starbucks Commitment To Anti-Racism - Starbucks Canada

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Starbucks Canada

https://stories.starbucks.ca/en-ca/stories/2021/starbucks-commitment-to-anti-racism/

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Starbucks Commitment To Anti-Racism

Starbucks Canada believes mentorship is a powerful way to support young people in achieving their dreams and aspirations, and yet, many young Black Canadians often don’t have access to this kind of support as they begin building their careers. The Black Business and Professional Association, with the support of Starbucks Canada and MentorCanada, wants that to change.

Beginning this month, 1,000 young Black Canadians between the ages of 14-29 will have the opportunity to be part of a mentorship program called MentorME to equip them with knowledge, guidance, resources and support to help secure employment, fulfill their potential in the workplace, build resilience and find resources for educational completion and achievement. Developed in partnership with the BBPA, SAY IT LOUD, MentorCanada and Starbucks Canada, MentorME has been created to address the needs of Black youth across specific industries including literary arts, visual arts, culinary art, performing art, technology, social impact and innovation, fashion design and entrepreneurship, connecting young Black Canadians to adult mentors from various professional sectors. &nbsp;

“The BBPA is committed to the wholesome development of members of the Black Community here in Canada,” says Nadine Spencer, president of the BBPA. “We have thousands of Black youth who are eager to access networks, resources and information that will accelerate their career and personal development. I’m pleased that the MentorME Program will serve as a platform to deliver these solutions to the members of the community waiting to receive them. It is our utmost pleasure as the BBPA, together with our outstanding partners, to demonstrate our commitment to their success.”

Earlier this summer, Starbucks Canada <a href="https://stories.starbucks.ca/en/stories/2020/starbucks-canada-the-black-business-and-professional-association-and-the-canadian-mentoring-partnership-come-together-to-create-mentorship-program-dedicated-to-black-youth/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">pledged $100,000 in funding</a> to co-create and launch the MentorME program with the BBPA as part of its Canadian commitments <a href="https://stories.starbucks.ca/en/stories/2020/how-starbucks-is-taking-a-stand-against-anti-black-racism/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">to take action against anti-Black racism</a>. In addition to this funding, Starbucks will work with its partners (employees) and other organizations to help them apply to be mentors for the program.&nbsp;

“We are very proud to support the work the BBPA is doing to address the opportunity divide for Black Canadian youth,” says Lori Digulla, general manager, Starbucks Canada.&nbsp;“We feel a deep responsibility to serve our communities and be a model for change and for good. We are committed to our journey to advance inclusion, diversity &amp; equity for our partners and the communities we serve.”

Addressing the inequality of employment opportunities for disadvantaged youth has been a core focus for Starbucks in Canada. Through its <a href="https://www.starbucks.ca/opportunity-youth" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Opportunity Youth</a> and <a href="https://stories.starbucks.ca/en/stories/2019/starbucks-canada-hosts-first-of-its-kind-refugee-hiring-event/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Refugee hiring initiatives</a>, which have been ongoing since 2015, the company has worked to provide meaningful employment and support to more than 6,000 youth and refugees in Canada.

To learn more about the steps Starbucks Canada is taking to address racial inequity, <a href="https://stories.starbucks.ca/en/stories/2020/starbucks-outlines-its-steps-to-address-racial-inequity/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">click here</a>.

Taking Action: Supporting Canadian Black Youth through the Power of Mentorship

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https://stories.starbucks.ca/en-ca/stories/2020/taking-action-supporting-canadian-black-youth-through-the-power-of-mentorship/

Starbucks Canada has published its anti-racism plan internally for its partners (employees) following the <a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://stories.starbucks.ca/en/stories/2020/standing-together-against-racial-injustice/" target="_blank">company’s commitment</a> to&nbsp;combat inequality and stand and take action against racism with an immediate focus on anti-Black racism.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Starbucks recognizes that it’s simply not enough to “not be racist” but instead, the company is focused on being anti-racist, holding itself and its leaders accountable for achieving anti-racism goals set out for the company.

While the company will focus immediately on anti-Black racism through its broader inclusion and diversity strategy, Starbucks Canada will take action inside and outside of the company to be a model for inclusion and diversity in Canada.

Starbucks Canada’s anti-racism plan includes the following commitments and actions:&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Support for the Black community

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In addition to launching its action plan, the company has also partnered with its Black Partner Network and allies to create and make <a href="https://stories.starbucks.ca/en/stories/2020/standing-together-against-racial-injustice/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Black Lives Matter t-shirts</a> available to every store partner in Canada as a demonstration of its allyship.&nbsp;

Starbucks will continue to work with its Black Partner Network, community leaders and organizations to understand the positive role it can play in showing up for its communities.&nbsp;

For more information on the steps Starbucks is taking to address racial inequity, <a href="https://stories.starbucks.ca/en/stories/2020/starbucks-outlines-its-steps-to-address-racial-inequity/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">click here</a>.&nbsp;

Starbucks Canada has published its anti-racism plan internally for its partners (employees) following the company’s commitment to combat inequality and stand and take action against racism with an immediate focus on anti-Black racism.

How Starbucks is Taking a Stand Against Anti-Black Racism

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https://stories.starbucks.ca/en-ca/stories/2020/how-starbucks-is-taking-a-stand-against-anti-black-racism/

Starbucks Canada has <a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://stories.starbucks.ca/en/stories/2020/starbucks-outlines-its-steps-to-address-racial-inequity/" target="_blank">pledged to do more</a> in our commitment to stand and take action against anti-Black racism. &nbsp;With inputs from our Black Partner Network, Black community leaders and important allies, today Starbucks Canada is announcing it will invest in the future of Canada’s Black Youth, creating a mentorship program together with the Black Business and Professional Association (BBPA) and the Canadian Mentoring Partnership (CMP).

Young Black Canadians often don’t have the support they need as they begin building their careers. Mentoring is one of four supports the BBPA offers to improve the post-secondary graduation rates of Black youth. With Starbucks investment of $100,000, the BBPA will be able to expand its mentorship program, supported by the mentorship expertise, tools and resources of the CMP, and make it accessible to 1,000 youth across the country.&nbsp;

“Education is an important asset for the future of Black youth. With 50 percent of Black youth who go into post-secondary studies not graduating, the support of a strong mentorship program is critical,” says Nadine Spencer, President &amp; CEO, Black Business and Professional Association. “We are pleased that our new partnership with Starbucks will support our mentorship program, as it will have a sustainable impact on the success of our youth. The additional support&nbsp;and resources of the CMP will ensure further success."

“To access employment opportunities in the post-pandemic economy, we understand youth in Canada – especially black youth and those facing barriers – will have an even greater need to connect with mentors who can help them engage with prospective employers and the Canadian labour market,” says Stacey Dakin, Managing Director, Canadian Mentoring Partnership. She adds that through quality mentoring opportunities, the CMP is working to help youth develop an understanding of the practical job skills required to meet labour market demands and learn how to access opportunities aligned to their academic, career and life goals.

“This is a pivotal time in our history,” says Lori Digulla, general manager, Starbucks Canada. “We will take a stand and not move on until we have done what we can to influence meaningful change for our Black partners, customers and the Black community,”

Starbucks will not be a bystander. The company is committed to taking action, learning, and supporting its Black partners, customers, and communities and will continue to work to confront racial bias and racism. Through our partnership with BBPA, Starbucks will also unlock the potential for partners (employees) across Canada to get involved through community service.

The program will launch first in Montreal this summer, followed by Toronto, Calgary and Edmonton and will expand to other cities later this year.

Starbucks Canada has pledged to do more in our commitment to stand and take action against anti-Black racism. With inputs from our Black Partner Network, Black community leaders and important allies, today Starbucks Canada is announcing it will invest in the future of Canada’s Black Youth.

Starbucks Canada, the Black Business and Professional Association and the Canadian Mentoring Partnership Come Together to Create Mentorship Program Dedicated to Black Youth

https://stories.starbucks.ca/en-ca/stories/2020/starbucks-canada-the-black-business-and-professional-association-and-the-canadian-mentoring-partnership-come-together-to-create-mentorship-program-dedicated-to-black-youth/

In a letter to all partners (employees) today, Starbucks Canada president Lori Digulla shared that Starbucks is committed to standing together against anti-black racism.&nbsp;

“This is not a moment, it’s a movement. Our actions and our continued expression of belief and care can support the change and the healing that is required,” Digulla said.

Starbucks continues to listen to its partners about how they want to take a stand for justice, while proudly wearing the green apron and standing united together. The company believes it is critical to support the Black Lives Matter movement as its founders intended and will continue to work with its Starbucks Black Partner Network, community leaders and organizations to understand the role that Starbucks can play to show up in a positive way for its communities.

As its latest step towards this commitment, Starbucks is partnering with Starbucks Black Partner Network and allies to create and make t-shirts available to every store partner in Canada to demonstrate our allyship and show we stand together in unity.

Read Lori Digulla’s full letter below:

We have always led with our Mission and Values. Through every moment in our history, and in every crisis, Starbucks has come together to show: We will not be bystanders. This has never been more true than today.

We have committed to a number of decisions and actions to stand together against anti-black racism, and this is just the beginning. We will do more, because more is needed.

We’ve heard you express your concern, your pain, your support, your passion, and this week we heard you ask for a way to express yourself at work. A way we can stand as black partners and allies in our clear belief:

We see you. We hear you. Black lives matter.

This is not a moment, it’s a movement. Our actions and our continued expression of belief and care can support the change and the healing that is required.

That’s one of the reasons we’re designing a new t-shirt with the graphic below, that we are making available to every store partner in Canada. This t-shirt will be available in English and French and you can expect to see these t-shirts in about a month. Until these arrive, and to answer your question, yes you can wear your BLM pin or t-shirt. Your passion, and heart, and care as always inspire us. We trust you to do what’s right while never forgetting Starbucks is a welcoming Third Place where all are treated with dignity and respect.

Designed for partners, by partners, our Starbucks Black Partner Network and allies in the U.S. created this t-shirt to demonstrate our allyship and show we stand together in unity. This t-shirt is in addition to t-shirts going to current members of the Canadian Black Partner network.

Sharing, listening and learning is so very important. By now, every district manager should have scheduled a virtual meeting to create space for you to share your feelings, your thoughts, your experiences. It’s voluntary for partners who want to engage, and we welcome you to this safe and important space.

In a letter to all partners (employees) today, Starbucks Canada president Lori Digulla shared that Starbucks is committed to standing together against anti-black racism.

Standing Together Against Racial Injustice

https://stories.starbucks.ca/en-ca/stories/2020/standing-together-against-racial-injustice/

The murders of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery and Breonna Taylor and the many other racial injustices have shaken the U.S., Canada, and the entire world. As we all deal with our personal feelings and experiences through this, there are important questions in front of us. How can we help each other heal, and how can we contribute to society in a positive and constructive way on the topic of racism and injustice?

While we may not have all the answers, here’s what Starbucks Canada is doing to contribute:

We are committed to taking action, learning, and supporting our Black partners, customers, and communities. We will continue to work to confront racial bias and racism.

The murders of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery and Breonna Taylor and the many other racial injustices have shaken the U.S., Canada, and the entire world. Now there are important questions in front of us. How can we help each other heal, and how can we contribute to society in a positive and constructive way on the topic of racism and injustice? While we may not have all the answers, here’s what Starbucks Canada is doing to contribute.

Starbucks Outlines its Steps to Address Racial Inequity

https://stories.starbucks.ca/en-ca/stories/2020/starbucks-outlines-its-steps-to-address-racial-inequity/