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Each Starbucks store is the heart of a neighborhood, and we aspire to make each one a welcoming and inclusive third place. From our early decision to offer healthcare to part-time workers to our commitment to support diverse hiring and economic development through our community store initiative — we have been dedicated to creating not just opportunity, but equal opportunity. Through our community partnerships, feedback from our partners and customers, and counsel from civil rights and community leaders, Starbucks will continue our journey to be a place where everyone is welcome. Here are some of our milestones along the way:

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Our Mission: “With every cup, with every conversation, with every community – we nurture the limitless possibilities of human connection.”

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Starbucks achieved a score of&nbsp;<a href="https://l.workplace.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fdisabilityin.org%2Fwhat-we-do%2Fdisability-equality-index%2F2024companies%2F&amp;h=AT2zeU0H5DB08sox88G97gmZ-Byyygw4ahmuO0tTfukhGrNfMYISrNl8cyti1yThdz2MoyPXJ7_fDlDyRCd-6iq14VtetR6AKYS7M0cQHc_jda5FGgqzwIu4m4wkS0GZNLKJL6ltQwqkmXeLroZxYj6O7cfGvT2REUQ&amp;__tn__=%2CmH-R&amp;c%5b0%5d=AT0XjInC_D93Yh2NaUBJNxDPU5a084-W2MjnuQTcPSOdHtziZEHLq4oPPHFvFk0Mvn78KGkY4rANlvog341bVs9ah2xH0x2WEQqSejTQ15VKCm6dYWXeFD8nhDRKpGjnPGOO2OCuSNuAuFgAIW3_WYubZSRO4PXd_OqIsl8mP5EB4M-B_LGIl8GSBB5PxHta">100% on the Disability Equality Index</a>&nbsp;for the 8th&nbsp;year! This achievement recognizes Starbucks among the “Best Places to Work for Disability Inclusion”.

Starbucks is proud to share our commitment toward 100 percent gender pay equity. We’ve achieved it – and maintained it – for partners in the U.S. and we continue to work toward reaching 100 percent gender pay equity for Starbucks partners globally. We’re proud to share that Starbucks has earned a perfect score on <a href="https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bc65db67d0c9102cca54b74/t/65f062d96682833cefce609c/1710252763140/Arjuna+Capital+-+Racial+and+Gender+Pay+Scorecard+2024.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Arjuna Capital’s Racial and Gender Pay Scorecard</a>.

To create a more accessible store experience across the U.S., Starbucks has launched an <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/press/2024/building-inclusive-spaces-starbucks-announces-new-accessibility-guidelines-for-its-u-s-store-portfolio/">Inclusive Spaces Framework</a> that will guide new store construction and renovations going forward. The first store built using the framework opened in Washington, D.C.’s Union Market neighborhood.

The way we directly support our LGBTQIA2+ partners (employees) and community is critical in our journey to ensure all our partners have the opportunity to thrive at work and beyond. In our commitment to remain a top employer for our LGBTQIA2+ partners and future partners, we’re proud to share that Starbucks received a 100 percent score on the&nbsp;<a href="http://www.hrc.org/cei." target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Human Rights Campaign Corporate Equality Index</a>&nbsp;based on corporate policies and practices for LGBTQIA2+ equality for the&nbsp;9th&nbsp;consecutive year and&nbsp;12th&nbsp;year overall.&nbsp;

Starbucks joined the Human Rights Campaign’s (HRC)&nbsp;<a href="https://www.hrc.org/resources/count-us-in-pledge" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Count Us In</a> pledge to continue to sand in solidarity with the LGBTQIA2+ community. HRC is the nation’s largest LGBTQIA2+ civil rights advocacy organization.

To show our support for diversity in college admissions and giving students of color an equal chance to access higher education, Starbucks joined other businesses and organizations to file an <a href="https://www.naacpldf.org/wp-content/uploads/Brief-for-Major-American-Business-Enterprises-Supporting-Respondents-FINAL.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">amicus brief</a> to the Supreme Court supporting universities’ flexibility to consider race in admissions to promote student body diversity.

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Starbucks graduates first cohort of partners in the inaugural mentorship program.

New large-print and Braille menus are made available in all stores in the U.S. and Canada. Starbucks worked with the National Braille Press to create the new menus to make stores more accessible for blind and low-vision customers.

October 2020

Starbucks shares <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/stories/2020/our-commitment-to-inclusion-diversity-and-equity-at-starbucks/">next steps it’s taking to&nbsp;advance racial and social equity </a>as part of&nbsp;its ongoing journey to create&nbsp;a welcoming and inclusive Third Place. These commitments include: &nbsp;

In addition, the company announced the rollout of $1.5 million in <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/press/2020/the-starbucks-foundation-awards-neighborhood-grants-to-advance-racial-equity/">Neighborhood Grants</a> from The Starbucks Foundation prioritizing grassroots and community-based nonprofit organizations focused on local impact. These grants aim to uplift organizations led by and that serve Black communities and will support more than 400 local nonprofit organizations across the country. The Foundation will also invest $5 million to launch a two-year initiative focused on supporting nonprofits that serve BIPOC youth. &nbsp;

The Starbucks Foundation commits $1 million in Neighborhood Grants to promote racial equity and creating more inclusive and just communities. Nominated by Starbucks partners, and with input from civil rights leaders, these grants will support efforts in over 100 cities and towns across the United States.

Throughout its 49-year history, Starbucks partners have come together for one another in the aftermath of hateful incidents. As part of an ongoing commitment to create a sense of inclusion and belonging, Starbucks launches an internal series of courageous conversations addressing difficult topics and to help increase partners understanding of themselves and others.

On May 30, more than 2,000 partners and their families came together virtually to join a conversation about the murders of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery and Breonna Taylor and other racial injustices that have shaken the entire country. Throughout the dialogue partners shared stories, expressed emotions, and supported one another. As ceo Kevin Johnson <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/stories/2020/letter-from-ceo-courageous-conversations-in-the-wake-of-george-floyds-murder/">said in a letter</a> to partners: “While we may not have all the answers, we know the path forward requires these courageous conversations with one another. As I shared at the close of today’s meeting it is, in part, our promise to one another as partners to live our mission and values daily.”

Starbucks donates a combined $100,000 to the Human Rights Campaign and the National Center for Transgender Equality in honor of Pride Month to aid in their support for vulnerable members of the LGTBQ+ community due to the impacts of COVID-19.

Starbucks publishes the <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/press/2020/an-update-on-starbucks-civil-rights-assessment/">2019 assessment</a> on Civil Rights, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion conducted by Covington &amp; Burling LLP, under the leadership of the former Attorney General Eric Holder. The report, which reviews the company’s progress since the <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/uploads/2019/01/Covington-Report-to-Starbucks-Jan-23-2019.pdf">2018 report</a>, evaluates Starbucks ongoing efforts to promote equity, diversity and inclusion and how this supports the company’s Mission and Values.&nbsp;

Starbucks shares its median pay gaps by gender globally, and by gender and race in the US. In 2019 the median pay for women globally is 98.3% of the median for men. In the U.S., the median pay ratio is 100% for women and 100% for people of color.

TATA Starbucks Private Limited in India <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/press/2019/tata-starbucks-achieves-100-pay-equity/">achieves 100 percent pay equity</a>&nbsp;for women and&nbsp;men. Women now make up 29 percent of Starbucks’ workforce in India, a key gender diversity milestone toward the goal of 40 percent by 2022.&nbsp;

Starbucks opens the&nbsp;<a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/asia/stories/2019/career-opportunities-expand-in-malaysia-with-opening-of-new-starbucks-signing-store-in-penang/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Penang Signing Store in Malaysia</a>, creating career opportunities for Deaf and Hard of Hearing partners (employees) while also serving as a gathering spot for the area’s deaf community. This is the company’s fourth signing store, with two in Malaysia, one in Guangzhou, China, and one in Washington D.C.&nbsp;

The Starbucks Foundation awards $1.4 million in Opportunity for All grants, to help&nbsp;<a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/press/2019/the-starbucks-foundation-2019-opportunity-for-all-grants/">63 programs</a>&nbsp;across the U.S.&nbsp;create pathways to jobs and careers&nbsp;for students, young adults and other people facing barriers.

Starbucks announces&nbsp;<a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/stories/2019/investing-in-chicago-how-10m-starbucks-loan-helps-underserved-areas/">it will invest $10 million</a>&nbsp;to support entrepreneurs, small business owners and nonprofits in Chicago. The loan will be distributed in January by a network of mission-based lenders called community development financial institutions, which work to revitalize struggling neighborhoods on the city’s South and West sides.

Starbucks releases&nbsp;<a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/stories/2019/women-in-coffee-sirens-blend/">Siren’s Blend</a>, a new core coffee inspired and created by trailblazing women in the coffee industry.

Starbucks launches its <a href="https://tobewelcoming.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">“To Be Welcoming”</a>&nbsp;Curriculum, in partnership with Arizona State University. The free 15-course online class is designed to address bias and encourage more meaningful conversations around our shared human experience.

Starbucks opens its 14th <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/stories/2019/welcome-to-jonesboro-ga-home-of-newest-starbucks-community-store/">Community Store in Jonesboro, Ga.</a>, part of an initiative to support economic development in diverse, underserved areas of the country.

The company <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/stories/2019/meet-some-of-the-25000-veterans-and-military-spouses-starbucks-has-hired/">commits to hiring 5,000 veterans and military spouses annually</a>. Starbucks has hired more than 25,000 veterans and military spouses to date, more than doubling its initial promise to hire 10,000 by 2018.&nbsp;

Shonda Rhimes, the award-winning creator of hit TV shows Grey’s Anatomy and Scandal, shares the importance of storytelling in our culture. Starbucks invited Rhimes to be part of its <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/press/2019/update-on-starbucks-ongoing-diversity-equity-and-inclusion-efforts/">Third Place Development Series</a>, the company’s commitment to creating a more welcoming and inclusive experience for partners and customers.

Starbucks is recognized as a Best Place to Work for Disability Inclusion by scoring 100 on the <a href="http://disabilityin.org/DEIReport2019" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Disability Equality Index</a> (DEI).

Starbucks joined over 200 companies to file a joint <a href="https://assets2.hrc.org/files/assets/resources/Title-seven-business-amicus-brief.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">amicus brief</a> to the Supreme Court in support of LGBTQ rights. The landmark briefing argues that existing federal civil rights law should protect LGTBQ people from discrimination in contexts ranging from employment to housing, healthcare and education. To file the brief the company worked with prominent civil rights groups the Human Rights Campaign, Lambda Legal, Out &amp; Equal, Out Leadership, and Freedom for All Americans.

Starbucks also joined the Human Rights Campaign’s <a href="https://www.hrc.org/resources/business-coalition-for-equality" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Business Coalition</a> in support of the Equality Act, a bill that would protect LGBTQ people from discrimination in housing, the workplace, public accommodations, and other settings under federal law. The Equality Act has since passed in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Starbucks’ <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/press/2019/new-starbucks-in-new-orleans-focuses-on-community/">13th Community Store opens in New Orleans, La.</a>, creating more than 30 jobs in the area.

The Starbucks Foundation celebrates Pride Month by matching up to $250,000 in donations to Lady Gaga’s Born This Way Foundation. The money goes towards improving access to mental health resources for LGBTQ+ communities.

Starbucks introduces opportunity for new and current partners to self-identify with the company as LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer) similar to other identifications, such as disability, refugee, veteran and military spouse. The move was the result of efforts by the Pride Alliance partner network to create another way to build upon the company’s commitment to the inclusion and diversity of all partners. 

On Equal Pay Day, Starbucks and 25 other U.S. employers in the Employers for Pay Equity consortium <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/stories/2019/25-companies-join-starbucks-to-end-u-s-gender-pay-gap/">join to agree to a shared set of Pay Equity Principles</a> to help eliminate the gender pay gap.

China and Canada, two of Starbucks largest international markets, <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/stories/2019/pay-equity-around-the-globe/">achieve 100 percent gender pay equity</a> one year after Starbucks announced <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/stories/2018/equalpay/">100 percent pay equity in the United States</a>.

Following a recommendation in our <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/press/2019/starbucks-overview-of-the-covington-assessment-on-civil-rights-equity-diversity-and-inclusion/">Ci</a><a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/uploads/2019/01/Covington-Report-to-Starbucks-Jan-23-2019.pdf">vil Rights Assessment</a>, Starbucks published its principles on <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/press/2019/starbucks-principles-for-upholding-the-third-place-for-our-partners-our-customers-and-our-communities/">upholding the third place</a>. This public statement describes the key principles and responsibilities of making a welcoming space for all, including our zero-tolerance position on discrimination, that will continue to guide Starbucks as the company holds itself accountable to them.

Starbucks opens its 12th <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/stories/2018/at-new-starbucks-community-store-they-know-why-the-redbird-sings/">Community Store in Dallas</a>.

On Veterans Day, the company announces <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/stories/2018/meet-some-of-the-21000-veterans-and-military-spouses-starbucks-has-hired/">21,000 veterans and military spouses have been hired</a> since creating the military hiring commitment in 2013, and that&nbsp;<a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/stories/2019/military-spouse-partners-make-everywhere-home/">50 Military Family Stores</a>, which focus on honoring and hiring veterans and military spouses, have been dedicated around the nation.&nbsp; &nbsp;

The <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/stories/2018/eight-things-to-know-about-the-new-starbucks-signing-store/">first U.S. Starbucks signing store</a> opens in Washington, D.C., providing employment opportunities for Deaf and hard of hearing partners and led by partners fluent in American Sign Language.

<a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/stories/2018/hire-philly-opportunity-youth-fair/">Hire! Philly job and resource fair</a> creates career opportunities and provides career preparation resources for 1,700 Philadelphians. Starbucks serves on the Advisory Board of the Hire! Philly coalition – a group of employers from the Philadelphia region dedicated to creating workforce opportunities.

Starbucks announces a partnership with Arizona State University to develop an open-sourced curriculum to address forms of bias.

The company opens a <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/press/2018/starbucks-opens-community-store-in-birmingham/">Community Store in Birmingham, Ala.</a>, to support economic revitalization and diverse hiring.

The Starbucks Foundation announces&nbsp;<a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/press/2018/the-starbucks-foundations-2018-opportunity-for-all-partnerships/">Opportunity For All Grant recipients</a>, donating $1.3 million to 47 organizations across the country that focus on supporting underserved communities and youth.

Starbucks rolls out the first of a series of Third Place Development training modules designed for all partners that continues our commitment to address bias.

The company joins <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/press/2018/starbucks-joins-the-us-chamber-foundations-hiring-100000-military-spouses/">U.S. Chamber Foundation’s campaign</a> to hire 100,000 military spouses.

Starbucks announces the company’s health insurance plans cover not only gender reassignment surgery, which had been covered since 2012, but also a <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/stories/2018/they-are-lifesaving-starbucks-offers-expanded-benefits-for-trans-people/">host of other procedures for transgender partners in the U.S.</a> that were previously deemed cosmetic, and therefore not covered.

Starbucks broadens its health insurance options for transgender partners to not only include gender reassignment surgery (which had been covered since 2013), but also a host of procedures that were previously considered cosmetic.

Starbucks launches the Welcoming Refugees Alliance, partner network dedicated to welcoming and empowering refugee partners and allies, on World Refugee Day.

The company <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/stories/2018/closing-stores-opening-hearts-starbucks-partners-share-their-responses/">closes 8,000 stores</a> in the U.S. for company-wide implicit bias training and <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/stories/2018/curriculum-for-the-third-place-our-commitment-renewed/">makes the curriculum publicly available</a>.

Starbucks announces its new <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/press/2018/use-of-the-third-place-policy/">Use of the Third Place policy</a>, defining a customer as anyone who enters a Starbucks space regardless of whether they make a purchase.

The company connects with 2,600 young people at the <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/stories/2018/atlanta-opportunity-hiring-fair-2018/">Atlanta Job and Resource Fair</a>.

Rashon Nelson and Donte Robinson are arrested in a Starbucks Philadelphia store. Kevin Johnson, Starbucks chief executive officer, <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/press/2018/starbucks-ceo-reprehensible-outcome-in-philadelphia-incident/">calls the outcome “reprehensible”</a> and <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/press/2018/a-follow-up-message-from-starbucks-ceo-in-philadelphia/">publicly apologizes</a>, saying “This is not who we are.”

Starbucks announces <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/stories/2018/starbucks-pay-equity-for-partners/">100 percent pay equity</a> across race and gender for U.S. partners, sets global goal.

Starbucks opens <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/stories/2017/starbucks-to-open-first-store-in-bed-stuy-brooklyn/">Community Store in Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn.</a>

Starbucks Equity, Inclusion and Diversity Timeline : Starbucks Stories Asia

https://stories.starbucks.com/uploads/sites/29/2019/12/SBX20190530-Equity-and-Inclusion-Timeline-Featured-Image2-78.jpg

Starbucks Stories Asia

Starbucks Equity, Inclusion and Diversity Timeline

This timeline lists milestones in all the ways we have demonstrated our commitment to be welcoming over the years.

https://stories.starbucks.com/asia/press/2019/starbucks-equity-and-inclusion-timeline/