Starbucks Will Close Stores May 29 For Racial-Bias Training

BOSTON, MA — Amid controversy in Philadelphia, Starbucks announced it will be closing all of its US-based company-owned stores, (that's more than 8,000) on May 29 for a racial-bias training.

The company announced April 17 that nearly 175,000 employees at its company-owned (as opposed to franchise) stores will undergo training to address implicit bias, promote conscious inclusion, prevent discrimination and to "ensure everyone inside Starbucks feels safe and welcome.”

It's not clear how many Boston stores are company owned and will be affected by the closure on Tuesday, May 29, but take note.

This planned closure comes in response to protests and backlash after two black men waiting for a friend were arrested for trespassing inside a Philadelphia Starbucks when an employee called police. Starbucks apologized, but a viral video of the men getting handcuffed as fellow customers told police the men were just sitting there, led to protests at the Starbucks with people calling for a boycott against the company.

Read more >> Arrest Of 2 Black Men At Philadelphia Starbucks Sparks Outrage

“I’ve spent the last few days in Philadelphia with my leadership team listening to the community, learning what we did wrong and the steps we need to take to fix it,” said Starbucks ceo Kevin Johnson in a statement. “While this is not limited to Starbucks, we’re committed to being a part of the solution. Closing our stores for racial bias training is just one step in a journey that requires dedication from every level of our company and partnerships in our local communities.”

All Starbucks company-owned retail stores and corporate offices will be closed in the afternoon of Tuesday, May 29, the company announced.

Earlier this week, Starbucks said it began a review of its training and practices and looked into reforms with an am to provide "a safe and inclusive environment for our customers and partners."

"The company's founding values are based on humanity and inclusion," said executive chairman Howard Schultz, who joined Johnson and other senior Starbucks leaders in Philadelphia to meet with community leaders and Starbucks partners. "We will learn from our mistakes and reaffirm our commitment to creating a safe and welcoming environment for every customer."

Starbucks said it would design a racial bias training with help from the Equal Justice Initiative, the NAACP Legal Defense and Education Fund, former U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder and the Anti-Defamation League. The company said it would make the training available to the rest of the Starbucks licensees and other companies.

Read more:

• Arrest Of 2 Black Men At Philadelphia Starbucks Sparks Outrage
• Read Starbucks CEO's Response To Philadelphia Arrest Incident
• Starbucks Manager Who Called Cops On Black Men Leaves Store

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Photo by David Allen/Patch