The playlist was created in collaboration with the Starbucks Black Partner Network (BPN), the Black Business and Professional Association (BBPA) and SAY IT LOUD to celebrate Black excellence.

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In celebration of Black History Month and the accomplishments, culture and unique experiences of the Black community, Starbucks Canada today announced a special curated playlist, which spotlights established and emerging Black artists and the wealth of diverse talent and artistry within Black culture.

The playlist was created in partnership with Starbucks Black Partner Network (BPN), the Black Business and Professional Association (BBPA) and SAY IT LOUD to celebrate Black excellence and inspire listeners. It will be made available in stores across Canada for the month of February and will also be available to customers on Spotify (visit <a href="https://open.spotify.com/user/starbucks" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Starbucks Spotify profile</a> and click on the playlist titled “<a href="https://sbux.ca/playlist" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">BPN/Say It Loud Canada/BBPA</a>”).

Canadian reggae artist Jah Beng, whose song “<a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://open.spotify.com/album/1wvps2hm9kOGUEXaKsqJOE?highlight=spotify:track:0egKttoOk9k3shp3G1y2UU" target="_blank">Pray</a>” is featured on the playlist, shared the importance of music within Black culture.

“As Black artists, we see the wielding of this influence as a great responsibility and are, thus, quite intentional with the words, sounds and messages we create and send out into the world,” Beng says. “We use our songs to shape the emotional, social, political, economic and moral attitudes within our societies, fully grasping the powerful ways in which we can affect our listeners.

“We, therefore, purpose our art toward educating, enlightening, encouraging and empowering our audiences and, thereby, create overwhelmingly positive impacts among our people and all people in local and global communities. Thank you, Starbucks Canada, for your awareness and action.”

Co-founders of SAY IT LOUD, Farley Flex and Roderick Brereton, emphasized Black music as a seminal part of Black history and Black culture and the importance of providing young, emerging Canadian artists with mainstream exposure.

“From the beginning of time Black music has captured the essence of Africa and its people,” said Flex and Brereton in an email to Starbucks Canada. “It has been a mechanism for expression in the face of the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade, colonization and overall oppression. Out of struggle, Black music’s social commentary has given birth to rock and roll, rhythm and blues, jazz, reggae, calypso, hip hop and their derivative.

“Say It LOUD! Canada is thrilled to partner with Starbucks Canada to provide mainstream exposure to emerging Black artists. This collaboration will lead to business and professional opportunities in the broader music industry.”

Emerging Black Canadian artists featured on Starbucks playlist include “C’est Beau” by KNLO, “Tell Me Something” by Tanika Charles, and “Don’t Wanna Pretend” by Shantel May.

It’s powerful to hear an artist from your home country playing in Starbucks, says Nadine Spencer, the President and CEO of the BBPA. Recalling the time she heard Jamaican artist Yellowman playing at her favourite Starbucks store in Don Mills, Ont., she said, “I stopped in my tracks with a big smile on my face the moment I heard the song ‘Zungguzungguguzungguzeng.’ How is this happening? At my Starbucks? I felt like I was home in Jamaica for a moment. I felt recognized and represented. The inspiration from my Caribbean roots filled me and left me elated throughout my day.”

In addition to up-and-coming Black artists, the playlist also features established artists and mainstream songs, including Beyoncé’s “Brown Skin Girl,” written to empower young Black girls facing cultural identity issues due to colourism within the Black community. Starbucks intentionally included a wide range of songs and genres to showcase artists of various cultural backgrounds and to highlight the Black community’s diverse voices, identities, and artistic expression.

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And, as an extension of its celebration of Black artistry, Starbucks Canada’s Spotify playlist also proudly features artwork by Toronto-born artist Amika Cooper, a.k.a. <a href="https://www.instagram.com/blackpowerbarbie/?hl=en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">blackpowerbarbie</a>.

Throughout February, Starbucks Canada will continue celebrating Black History Month by sharing the unique stories and experiences of its Black partners (employees) each week. The first story is from two Brampton, Ont. store partners, <a href="https://stories.starbucks.ca/en/stories/2021/starbucks-partners-reveal-how-they-found-empowerment-through-songs-about-black-hair/">Zoe Clarke-Singh and Cristyn Gilpin-Payne</a>, who deep dive into what Starbucks playlist means to them and how they found empowerment through songs about Black hair.

As the month unfolds, we’ll also hear from Starbucks BPN co-founders <a href="https://stories.starbucks.ca/en/stories/2021/bpn-reconnect-afro-canadian-roots/">Chelsea Gayle</a> and Kimberly Robin, as well as the co-lead of our Quebec BPN chapter, Virginia Medford Brayton and Carine Doufodji. They’ll explore themes such as reconnecting with their culture, workplace challenges and unique experiences as a Black Canadian in Quebec.

Addressing racial inequity

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Starbucks Canada is committed to celebrating and supporting its Black partners, customers, and communities throughout Black History Month and beyond. Last June, the company <a href="https://stories.starbucks.ca/en/stories/2020/standing-together-against-racial-injustice/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">pledged to do more</a> in its commitment to stand and take action against anti-black racism.

Since then, the company has taken several actions to continue learning and confronting racial bias and racism, including <a href="https://stories.starbucks.ca/en/stories/2020/taking-action-supporting-canadian-black-youth-through-the-power-of-mentorship/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">launching a new mentorship program</a> focused on addressing the specific needs of Canadian Black youth between the ages of 14 and 29. The program, <a href="https://sayitloudcanada.com/mentor-me/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">MentorME</a>, was developed in partnership with the BBPA, SAY IT LOUD, MentorCanada.

<a href="https://stories.starbucks.ca/en/stories/2020/how-starbucks-is-taking-a-stand-against-anti-black-racism/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Click here</a> to learn more about how Starbucks Canada is taking a stand against anti-Black racism.

Celebrating Black Culture Through Music, Starbucks Canada Spotlights Emerging and Established Black Artists with Curated Playlist

Starbucks Canada

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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

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

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/

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