SEATTLE — Starbucks has committed to taking steps to advance racial and social equity as part of its ongoing journey to create a welcoming and inclusive ‘third place.’
In letter to employees, CEO Kevin Johnson outlined new commitments the company will make to elevate inclusion, diversity and equity on behalf of employees and the communities it serves — rooted in intentionality, transparency and accountability.
“As we discuss inclusion, diversity and equity, we discover time and again that these topics are foundational to our Starbucks mission and values,” says Johnson. “Of course they are. The very concept of the third place embodies inclusion — creating a place of warmth and belonging, where everyone is welcome.”
Among the company’s new commitments is the creation of a mentorship program connecting BIPOC (Black, Indigenous and People of Colour) employees to senior leaders and investing in strategic partnerships with professional organizations that focus on the development of BIPOC talent.
Starbucks will also set and track annual inclusion and diversity goals of achieving BIPOC representation of at least 30 per cent at all corporate levels and at least 40 per cent of all retail and manufacturing roles by 2025.
Further, the company has committed to disclosing data reflecting the diversity of its current workforce, connecting the building of inclusive and diverse teams to its executive-compensation program and establishing an Inclusion and Diversity Executive Council to provide internal governance to integrate inclusion and diversity throughout the organization.
Additionally, Starbucks announced the rollout of $1.5 million in Neighborhood Grants from The Starbucks Foundation, prioritizing grassroots and community-based non-profit organizations focused on local impact. These grants aim to uplift organizations that are led by and serve Black communities and will support more than 400 local non-profit organizations across the U.S. The foundation will also invest $5 million to launch a two-year initiative focused on supporting non-profits that serve BIPOC youth.
Full details of Starbucks’ diversity and equality commitments can be found here.
