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.

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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

Starbucks Canada

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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/