In February, Starbucks Canada is proud to honour Black History Month and celebrate Black excellence and the many ways its partners (employees) and communities demonstrate it every day

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How the MentorME program is impacting the lives of Black youth&nbsp;

Madam CJ Walker was a force; her unyielding generosity only rivalled her fierce entrepreneurial spirit. A trailblazing entrepreneur, a philanthropist, and at one point the wealthiest Black woman in America, her never-give-up attitude and hustle have made her a role model for past and current generations. This is especially true for Valerie, a member of MentorME, a mentorship program developed in partnership with the Black Business and Professional Association (BBPA), SAY IT LOUD, Mentor Canada and Starbucks Canada designed to equip young Black Canadians with the knowledge, guidance, resources, and support to help secure employment and overcome systemic barriers and long-standing biases and stereotypes.&nbsp;&nbsp;

For two years, Valerie has been working with her mentor, Janel, a <a href="https://stories.starbucks.ca/en-ca/stories/2022/bhm-22-1/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Starbucks store manager</a>, to set goals, develop skills and access the tools she’ll need to excel academically while also accomplishing her dream of succeeding in business and following in her idol’s footsteps. The two immediately bonded over their shared experience of living in places with very little diversity.&nbsp;

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Born in Zimbabwe and raised in Brantford, Ontario, Valerie is a recent graduate of Burman University, where she received a double degree in physiotherapy and wellness in Central Alberta. She currently runs and operates a haircare accessory business that sells satin-lined bonnets called <a href="http://www.crownedhandmade.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Crowned By V</a>, “Because everyone should treat themselves like royalty – even on those days you don’t feel your best,” explained Valerie.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The marketing inspiration came, in part, from her mentor, Janel who provides guidance in both the business and academic arenas. “Janel connected me with someone in my field and it opened my eyes to the possibilities,” Valerie said. “We talk about strategies for finding the right clientele, and how I could improve my public speaking skills. She’s really helped me grow my confidence.”&nbsp;&nbsp;

“It was just lovely seeing another woman of colour in a high-ranking position. It shows that there are no limitations. And even though you may not have grown up seeing yourself represented, if you are determined, you can one day be that representation for someone else. I have two younger siblings, one of which just started high school,” said Valerie. “The lessons I learn with Janel are something I pass on to her, as well as my friends," said Valerie.

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And Valerie is not alone in recognizing the value of mentorship. Sabrina’s passion for music led her to also connect with Janel.&nbsp; Under Janel’s mentorship, Sabrina has been offered resources and support on her journey and has begun to forge meaningful industry connections with music producers in New York.&nbsp;&nbsp;

“She is always super excited for me, and she’s really cool to talk to,” said Sabrina. “Both of us have parents who immigrated here from the Caribbean. To have a strong Black female that I connect with on a personal level but can also provide guidance and advice on a professional level has given me lessons that I carry with me every day.”&nbsp;

Growing up in a Jamaican household, music was everything for Sabrina. She often collaborated with her sister to DJ at events and make music. In ninth grade, she joined an after-school program offered by Unity Charity, an organization that&nbsp;provides youth in under-resourced communities access to hip hop programs and workshops to help them pursue their dreams through music. When she met Janel to discuss her plans to work in the music industry, she was thrilled to meet someone like-minded and genuinely interested in her craft.&nbsp;&nbsp;

“It meant so much having that support because I am not someone who asks for help,” she added. “Whether about music or my community, having those conversations with Janel makes you want to keep going after it. It’s great knowing that someone out there is proud of what you’re doing.”&nbsp;&nbsp;

Helping both young women expand their professional networks to find new opportunities in their fields is a big piece of the work Janel does and has been critical in their development and progress, but their work together goes deeper than that.&nbsp;

Addressing the inequality of opportunity for advantaged youth and marginalized communities has been a core focus for Starbucks in Canada. By working with powerful partners like Mentor Canada, the BBPA and SAY IT LOUD, the company believes mentorship is a powerful way to support young people in achieving their dreams and aspirations, invest in the communities it serves and address the opportunity divide for Black youth.&nbsp;

“Mentorship can act as a critical lifeline and a connection to hope and the future. Young people need this, especially in times of uncertainty like a global pandemic,” said Tracy Luca-Huger, the Senior Director Strategic Partnerships and Initiatives at Mentor Canada. “MentorME is an important steppingstone to bridge meaningful connections to role models and support through mentoring.”&nbsp;

“Jamaican-Canadian billionaire Michael Lee Chin is quoted as saying, ‘Find a mentor. Find out what they did to get where they are and do exactly the same thing,” said SAY IT LOUD co-founders, Roderick Brereton and Farley Flex. “From the beginning of time, mentorship has been an integral part of Africa and Black Culture. Ancient traditions like the ‘Rites of Passage’ have relied on mentoring as a mechanism for passing down learning generationally. Mentoring can be integral to deepening the pool of brilliance, so that generations to come can manifest the stunted, yet undeniable, greatness of a people.”&nbsp;

To learn more and register for the MentorME program, visit <a href="https://sayitloudcanada.com/mentor-me/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">here</a>.&nbsp;

Starbucks x Black History Month

This February, Starbuck Canada is proud to honour Black History Month and celebrate the many ways its partners (employees) and communities demonstrate Black excellence.

How Starbucks is Investing in its Communities by Building Future Leaders - Starbucks Canada

Starbucks Canada

How Starbucks is Investing in its Communities by Building Future Leaders

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https://stories.starbucks.ca/en-ca/stories/2022/bhm-22-3/

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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.

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.

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

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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/