“…to be who we truly are with confidence and self-respect”

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Join us in meeting our Milan based partner, Lady Anne (she/her), from the Starbucks Reserve Roastery team who shares her background and experiences and talks about the importance of <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/emea/stories/2022/celebrating-pride-heritage-month-in-emea/">Pride Heritage Month</a>.

Tell us a bit about yourself, your background, and how long you have been a partner?

“My name is Lady Anne, 34 years old and originally from the Philippines. I grew up in a city called Baguio, also known as the ‘Summer Capital of the Philippines’ – a mountainous area where coffee plantations grow due to the favourable climate. I have been a partner since 2018.”

Tell us about your Starbucks journey?

“My journey at the Starbucks Reserve Roastery Milano has been eye-opening. My love and passion for coffee was unlocked the moment I joined the company. Throughout my journey, I've learnt a lot about teamwork and how to be passionate about the things I love doing the most. I am grateful to be part of this Starbucks family because they gave me the opportunity to learn and to grow.”

What does Pride Heritage Month mean to you, and why is it important to celebrate the landmark?

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“Pride Heritage Month for me is a great reminder that each and every one of us has a right to be who we truly are with confidence and self-respect – accepting who you are and having the courage to speak the truth, which is the true essence of freedom.”

What does ‘to be a partner’ mean to you?

“Having empathy and being a helping hand to those in need – I genuinely believe that two heads are better than one.”

What is your greatest Starbucks achievement so far?

“Achievement is a big word for me – I am the type of person who lives in the present. Working with my fellow partners (employees) and seeing our customers leave the Roastery with a smile are all part of my achievements. Also, I have been nominated as Partner of the Quarter.”

Who and what inspires you?

“Being a mother to a wonderful daughter.”

What advice would you give to your younger self?

“My advice would be to value everything that life throws at you – everything can either be a lesson or an opportunity to grow and to be a better version of yourself.”

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Starbucks has a long legacy of LGBTQ+ inclusion with more than three decades of pride support and advocacy. Pride Heritage Month offers us an opportunity to celebrate the culture and diversity of our partners and the communities we serve. Starbucks is supporting this year’s Milano Pride and as part of the celebrations, the Reserve Roastery Milano will proudly display the Pride flag from 16 June to 3 July.

Celebrating Pride: Meet your Starbucks Reserve Roastery partner, Lady Anne - Starbucks Stories EMEA

Starbucks Stories EMEA

Celebrating Pride: Meet your Starbucks Reserve Roastery partner, Lady Anne

“…to be who we truly are with confidence and self-respect” Join us in meeting our Milan based partner, Lady Anne (she/her), from the Starbucks Reserve Roastery team who shares her background and experiences and talks about the importance of Pride Heritage Month. Tell us a bit about yourself, your background, and how long you have […]

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https://stories.starbucks.com/emea/stories/2022/celebrating-pride-meet-your-barista-lady-anne/

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Since the beginning, Starbucks set out to be a different kind of company dedicated to creating a culture of warmth and belonging where everyone is welcome. Our aspiration is to be people positive – uplifting the well-being of everyone we connect with, from our partners to the customers in our stores and beyond.

Pride Heritage Month is an opportunity to celebrate LGBTQ+ communities all around the world. In celebrating Pride Heritage Month, we invited two partners (employees), Dan and Lady Anne, to share with us their experiences. 

Dan Blaker (he/him), business manager, Starbucks UK

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“Pride Heritage Month is a chance to celebrate how far we have come together as a community, share stories, educate ourselves and others, and continue to raise awareness. I feel privileged to work for a company where I can be myself and inspire others to do the same. At Starbucks we are guided by our mission and values, challenging the status quo and doing everything we can to create a sense of belonging where everybody is welcome”.

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Lady Anne Aromin (she/her), barista, Starbucks Reserve Roastery Milano

“Pride Heritage Month for me is a great reminder that each and every one of us has a right to be who we truly are with confidence and self-respect – accepting who you are and having the courage to speak your truth is the true essence of freedom”.

Celebrating Pride Heritage Month in EMEA - Starbucks Stories EMEA

Since the beginning, Starbucks set out to be a different kind of company dedicated to creating a culture of warmth and belonging where everyone is welcome. Our aspiration is to be people positive – uplifting the well-being of everyone we connect with, from our partners to the customers in our stores and beyond. Pride Heritage […]

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https://stories.starbucks.com/emea/stories/2022/celebrating-pride-heritage-month-in-emea/

Celebrating Pride Heritage Month in EMEA

“I’m forever grateful to Starbucks – I’m not just 'a partner', I’m part of the family”

Starbucks has a long history of supporting equal opportunities, inclusion and diversity in its workforce as part of its founding mission and values. This World Refugee Day, we invited a store partner, Asma, to share her journey and some of the challenges that she went through.

Originally from Iran, Asma moved to the U.K. six years ago on her own in search of a better life, knowing she had to start again from nothing: “I left everything behind – my family, my friends, everything”.

Some of her biggest fears when she landed in the U.K. were learning English, fitting in, and adapting to a new culture. “I can communicate easily when I speak to people who know me, however I struggled a lot and even get scared when they don’t know me”. It was when she started working at Starbucks and interacting with customers and partners every day that she became more confident and overcame some of these fears.

“I didn’t learn the language really by going to college or university, I learnt it here, at work in Starbucks – through everyday conversations with customers”.

Asma, who is now a four-year partner, joined Starbucks through Ashley Community Housing, an award-winning specialist housing and training provider for refugees, BAME (Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic) and migrant individuals – within a week she got the job in a kiosk store in the Bullring, Birmingham. When asked about her greatest Starbucks achievement so far, Asma said: “becoming a Black Apron partner”, meaning she is a certified Coffee Master, responsible for championing quality coffee and brewing techniques in her store.

While working as a barista, Asma is also currently studying Pharmacology at university. She will be entering her final year this September, after which she plans to do a PhD: “I’m forever grateful to Starbucks – I’m not just ‘a partner’, I’m part of the family”.

For over 50 years, Starbucks has been a&nbsp;<a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/emea/stories/2019/starbucks-pride-a-long-legacy-of-lgbtq-inclusion/">values-led company</a>&nbsp;striving to create a warm and welcoming&nbsp;<a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/stories/2018/use-of-the-third-place-policy/">Third Place</a>&nbsp;for all who visit our stores.

We work to bring our mission to life by creating an equitable, diverse and inclusive culture and offering equal and meaningful opportunities to all, no matter who you are or where you come from.

Our industry leading refugee hiring programme, now active in 12 markets across Europe, the Middle East and Africa,&nbsp;is one of the ways we bring our people-positive aspirations to life.

Working in partnership with a number of NGO partners such as The Refugee Council, Starbucks has now placed over 750 refugees into permanent roles in the business around Europe.

Meet your Barista, Asma - Starbucks Stories EMEA

“I’m forever grateful to Starbucks – I’m not just &#8216;a partner&#8217;, I’m part of the family” Starbucks has a long history of supporting equal opportunities, inclusion and diversity in its workforce as part of its founding mission and values. This World Refugee Day, we invited a store partner, Asma, to share her journey and some […]

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https://stories.starbucks.com/emea/stories/2022/meet-your-barista-asma/

Meet your Barista, Asma

Monday 9 May marks the start of Mental Health Awareness Week – an opportunity to raise awareness of the importance of our mental health and wellbeing. We are delighted to be supporting the charity, Mental Health Foundation, which organised this week.

At Starbucks, we recognise the importance of mental wellbeing in bringing our mission and values to life, inspiring and nurturing the human spirit, and how a cup of coffee can provide the perfect opportunity to connect and listen. The theme for this year’s Mental Health Awareness Week is ‘Loneliness’.

Loneliness affects millions of people every year and is a key driver of poor mental health. The global pandemic further accelerated the issue, with many people isolated from friends and family. With a focus on raising awareness and continuing to break the stigma regarding wellbeing and mental health, our green apron partners across the UK stores will be showing their support for Mental Health Awareness Week by wearing green mental health badges and accompanying in-store messaging.&nbsp;&nbsp;We recognise that overcoming loneliness and its impact on mental health cannot be achieved by the individual action of people alone, and we hope that by raising awareness we can support our partners and our communities.

Jonny Jacobs, a sponsor of the Wellbeing Blend network, which is the Partner Network focusing on supporting everyone’s wellbeing, commented “as someone who has suffered from loneliness when growing up, I am pleased that across the nation we are elevating the importance of this conversation. It is truly humbling seeing our Wellbeing Blend movement support our teams, and the stories below are testament to our inspiring partners who volunteer their time to support others.”

Now, more than ever, we know how important a sense of belonging and deep human connection is to us.&nbsp;This Mental Health Awareness Week, join us in meeting a few of our EMEA partners who share the value of our personal wellbeing!

A bit about your role in the business and how long you’ve been a partner

“I am the senior manager for planning and S&amp;OP at Starbucks across all Ambient and Store Development items. I have been a Starbucks partner for two and a half years.

“I work with my amazing team, and I love that our job is to predict the future: working with all our markets to estimate and advise on future forecasts and liaising with the suppliers to ensure the stock is produced and available when every market and store needs it.”

Why did you get involved with Wellbeing Blend/become a Mental Health First Aider/Mental Health Ally at work, and what are you most proud of with wellbeing at Starbucks?

“Through my past experiences, I have come to realise how strong mental health can get you through almost anything. But I have also seen how fragile that strength is. Your wellbeing and your mental health are something we should take care of every day. Having someone to speak to, without any stigma, can make a huge difference and everyone deserves that chance. I am really proud of the journey we’ve been through in the past year and the fact that it feels we have broken down a barrier about open conversations on Mental Health in the organization.”

What do you do to look after your wellbeing?

“My morning routine is a key part of my wellbeing. I usually wake up 2 hours before I need to get to work. I do some reading, call my parents who live in Lebanon, do some exercise, and have a proper breakfast with my husband.”

“Sports and exercising are essential ways in which I look after my wellbeing. I love that moment when you finish exercising and feel just so relaxed and mindful (and very sweaty of course).”

Is there anyone you are inspired by in relation to your wellbeing? “I have been impressed by all the partners that have shared their stories with me as part of our journey in the Wellbeing Blend. It made me realise that wellbeing is everywhere, every day. We are surrounded by so many powerful stories, partners who have suffered hard and were able to confront their situation, get the help they needed, kept on going, and now want to share back and help others. I am just so proud of each and every one of them and feel so privileged that our paths have crossed.”

A bit about your role in the business and how long you’ve been a partner:

“I am the manager for food in EMEA and I have been a partner for nearly 3 years. Because food is decentralised, instead of developing the food products you see on shelves in our stores across we region, we as an EMEA food team set the strategic vision for food at Starbucks, whilst also inspiring and supporting our licensees in delivering that vision.”

Why did you get involved with Wellbeing Blend and what are you most proud of with wellbeing at Starbucks?

“I got involved because I fiercely believe that we need to give our mental health more airtime &amp; more respect. I am so proud of how far we have come in a short time – creating a network, celebrating Mental Health Awareness Week et cetera. However, mostly it feels as though we have shifted the dial as a business and that mental health is now spoken about way more and way more openly in our day-to-day lives at Starbucks.”

Is there anyone you are inspired by in relation to your wellbeing?

“An unusual response perhaps but my younger self – the seven-year-old me who laughed at the little things, found a bit of fun in everything – had a great balance of work and play, talking to anyone without an ounce of self-consciousness. I think if all adults lived their lives more as children live theirs, a lot of our wellbeing struggles would go away.”

Any recommendations of books, videos, movies etc. in relation to wellbeing &amp; mental health? TV?:

“Couples Therapy on BBC – a fascinating insight into relationships behind closed doors that serves as a good reminder that relationships thrive on good communication. This show is a great way to upskill yourself on how to articulate how you might be feeling.”

Book: “How to Do You by Jacqueline Hirst – she retaught me to live after anorexia and I rely on her wisdom every single day. &nbsp;Alternatively, I am currently really enjoying ‘Maybe You Should Talk to Someone' by Lori Gottlieb – a clever mix of non-fiction written in a fictional style.”

Music: “Storm in My Head by Rhys Lewis – the most beautiful lyrical description of mental health I’m yet to hear.”

Movie: “Beautiful Boy – but only if you’re feeling mentally resilient as it’s a heart-wrenching watch.”

“I joined the company in September 2002, so I am currently in my 21st year as a partner with Starbucks. In that time, I have seen many changes in how the company operates and I like to think that my team has contributed in a small way to the success that continues to see the Glasgow district as one of the companies' UK success stories.”

Why did you get involved with Wellbeing Blend/become a Mental Health First Aider/ Mental Health Ally at work, and what are you most proud of with wellbeing at Starbucks?

“I wanted to get involved in the Wellbeing Blend because I know from my own experience how important good mental health is to personal growth, in both your private and working life. As the two are so intertwined, it is my hope that by being part of this team we can create an environment within Starbucks UK, where we all are able to speak about mental health without prejudice, judgment, or embarrassment.&nbsp;

“I hope that as a group, by showing compassion and understanding for others experiencing mental health challenges, we are not just able to help in some small way, but also gain a greater understanding of the many different things, that can affect mental health.”

“What I am most proud of with wellbeing at Starbucks is the small things we have done as a store over the last 6 years in trying to create that environment. It is always ongoing, but it has made some if even a little difference to my partners' wellbeing and retention for the business over the years.”

“Take my medication, keep active by cycling to work every day come rain or shine (you get used to it and sometimes it’s even nice), the love, companionship, and responsibility of looking after Hector (my dog), my daily yoga practice (even if it’s just a stretch and a few sun salutations to get the body energised or a wee yin stretch in the evening to try and relax but just embracing the power of the breath is helpful in itself.), meditation and if all else fails, eat ice cream.”

“Ohad Naharin, an Israeli dancer/choreographer who has overcome physical injury to create a dance movement call Gaga (yes Gaga!) that relies on listening to the body, and expressing through movement, not just the highly emotionally charged work he creates (if contemporary dance is your thing), but also has for ordinary people like me (two left feet) who can’t dance a Gaga people movement where anyone from children to old men and women can participate. It has also become known for its mental health benefits and in some instances has helped people with PTSD. Live classes are few and far between here in the UK, but you can participate online. I have been lucky enough to have participated in both. If you are curious, watch the documentary/film 'Mr. Gaga'. If you do, I hope it inspires you too.”

A bit about your role in the business and how long you’ve been a partner.

“I have been a store manager for 15 years with Starbucks. I have worked in a lot of different stores and had the opportunity to help open Starbucks in a few countries.”

“I got involved with the mental health ally program because the wellbeing of my partners and peers is really important to me, looking after each other’s wellbeing should be the number one priority in a business or society and I believe if we make this a priority we grow and become a better company but also better humans.”

“We will only ever succeed if we put people first in everything we do and I think by looking after each other’s mental health we are doing just that!”

“I have started to put myself first more often and speaking up when I feel overwhelmed. I really don’t like letting people down or not showing up, but for many years I confused that with me doing everything for everyone and never saying no. I still struggle with this, but I am becoming so much better at telling people I have enough on.”

“But the most important thing is to actually talk about how I feel, years ago, I would never have spoken about anxiety, but now I do, and it takes away so much of the pressure – I hope it also takes away the stigma around it if we all speak up.”

Any recommendations of books, videos, movies etc. in relation to wellbeing &amp; mental health?

“Mental health-wise, the book that really had a fundamental impact on me is Midnight Library by Matt Haig. It really made me question the way I think in a very healthy way, and I recommend it to everyone, it makes you really start appreciating what you have and stop regretting choices you might have previously. I also recommend his other book The Comfort Book.”

Strengthening your Mental Wellbeing: Starbucks partners share why it is important to focus on our mental and emotional health - Starbucks Stories EMEA

Strengthening your Mental Wellbeing: Starbucks partners share why it is important to focus on our mental and emotional health

Monday 9 May marks the start of Mental Health Awareness Week – an opportunity to raise awareness of the importance of our mental health and wellbeing. We are delighted to be supporting the charity, Mental Health Foundation, which organised this week. At Starbucks, we recognise the importance of mental wellbeing in bringing our mission and […]

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https://stories.starbucks.com/emea/stories/2022/strengthening-your-mental-wellbeing/

Updated 29 September 2022

The Starbucks Foundation has a 25-year history of investing in communities across the U.S. and globally. In March 2022, The Starbucks Foundation <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/press/2022/the-starbucks-foundation-launches-global-community-impact-grants-initiative/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">announced</a> a $30 million investment by 2030 in its Global Community Impact Grants portfolio designed to drive locally relevant impact in the communities where Starbucks operates around the world.

In the inaugural year of the <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/emea/stories/2022/supporting-youth-empowerment-hunger-relief-and-refugees-in-emea/">Global Community Impact Grants</a> program, The Starbucks Foundation awarded grants to nearly 90 nonprofits, all of which were nominated by Starbucks international licensees and will reach communities in more than 40 markets. Between grants and co-investment from international licensees, over $3.2 million was awarded in 2022 for causes aligned to The Starbucks Foundation’s community impact goals, including youth empowerment, inclusion &amp; diversity, social services, hunger relief, economic opportunity, and coffee-, tea- and cocoa growing communities.

In the Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) region, The Starbucks Foundation awarded 33 grants across 19 markets for causes ranging from youth empowerment and hunger relief to economic mobility &amp; opportunity, including for refugees. Grants were awarded in Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Kuwait, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Spain, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, and United Kingdom.

<a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/global-community-impact-grants/">Learn more</a> about the program and organizations we are supporting in EMEA and across the globe.

Supporting Youth Empowerment, Hunger Relief and Refugees in Europe, Middle East and Africa - Starbucks Stories EMEA

Supporting Youth Empowerment, Hunger Relief and Refugees in Europe, Middle East and Africa

Updated 29 September 2022 The Starbucks Foundation has a 25-year history of investing in communities across the U.S. and globally. In March 2022, The Starbucks Foundation announced a $30 million investment by 2030 in its Global Community Impact Grants portfolio designed to drive locally relevant impact in the communities where Starbucks operates around the world. In the […]

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Over the last four years, <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/stories/2022/starbucks-reaches-goal-of-supporting-women-and-girls-in-coffee-and-tea-origin-communities/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Starbucks Foundation</a> has partnered with nonprofit organisations around the world to support 250,000 women and girls in coffee-, tea-, and cocoa-growing communities including the investment of $14 million in grants. This International Women's Day, we are pleased to announce our new goal to positively impact 1 million women and girls by 2030.

In Africa, The Starbucks Foundation is awarding five grants to uplift women in coffee communities in Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda and Tanzania. This year, Foundation also awarded its first-ever grant to support cocoa-growing communities in Cote d'Ivoire.

<a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/press/2022/the-starbucks-foundation-commits-to-uplift-one-million-women-and-girls-in-origin-communities-by-2030/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Learn more </a>about the organisations we are supporting in Africa and across the globe.

Supporting Women in Coffee, Tea and Cocoa Communities - Starbucks Stories EMEA

Supporting Women in Coffee, Tea and Cocoa Communities

Over the last four years, The Starbucks Foundation has partnered with nonprofit organisations around the world to support 250,000 women and girls in coffee-, tea-, and cocoa-growing communities including the investment of $14 million in grants. This International Women&#8217;s Day, we are pleased to announce our new goal to positively impact 1 million women and […]

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https://stories.starbucks.com/emea/stories/2022/supporting-women-in-coffee-tea-and-cocoa-communities/

As we crown a new EMEA Barista Champion, <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/emea/stories/2021/lebanons-cynthia-khattar-crowned-barista-champion-2021/">Cynthia Khattar from Lebanon</a>, we took a trip to South Africa to catch up with the partner passing Cynthia the golden pitcher and purple apron: <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/emea/stories/2019/south-africa-scoops-the-title-of-2019-emea-barista-champion/">Teddy Nzama</a>.

Teddy scooped the title of best barista across Europe, the Middle East and Africa in 2019 and held the title for nearly 24 months. 

What was Teddy's life like before Starbucks, how did he become a champion, and what has been happening since? This is Teddy's journey...

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Teddy's Journey - Starbucks Stories EMEA

The Life of a Champion As we crown a new EMEA Barista Champion, Cynthia Khattar from Lebanon, we took a trip to South Africa to catch up with the partner passing Cynthia the golden pitcher and purple apron: Teddy Nzama. Teddy scooped the title of best barista across Europe, the Middle East and Africa in […]

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https://stories.starbucks.com/emea/stories/2021/teddys-journey-barista-champion/

Teddy’s Journey

It might have been raining in England, but at Starbucks iconic Tower Place store in London, there was still plenty to smile about, as partners from 26 countries across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa competed in the finals to become this year’s 2021 EMEA Barista Champion.

Streaming in real-time online for the very first time assessible to over 40,000 partners from across the region, the day kicked off with presenter Simon Thomas and Duncan Moir, president of EMEA, live from London, welcoming each of the <a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://stories.starbucks.com/emea/stories/2021/meet-your-top-16-finalists-for-the-emea-barista-championship-2021/" data-type="URL" data-id="https://stories.starbucks.com/emea/stories/2021/meet-your-top-16-finalists-for-the-emea-barista-championship-2021/" target="_blank">16 finalists</a> from their homes across the region, from Russia to France, South Africa to Denmark.

Broadcast for the very first time, in our 50th anniversary year, audiences got a real-time behind-the-scenes peek into the magic behind the screen, as Simon Thomas squeezed through high-tech camera set-ups to take viewers through a tour of the newly refurbished store, its state-of-the-art <a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://stories.starbucks.com/emea/stories/2021/new-reserve-bar-in-londons-tower-place/" data-type="URL" data-id="https://stories.starbucks.com/emea/stories/2021/new-reserve-bar-in-londons-tower-place/" target="_blank">Reserve bar</a>, and specialty erected green screen.

Before judging began, Simon was put through his paces with his very own coffee tasting, led by Robert Lynch, Lois and Natalie, in which Simon took “his first-ever slurp on TV”.

And then it was time for the battle to begin, as 16 candidates were whittled down to just four finalists through a grueling Latte Art Throwdown head-to-head, in which viewers at home, across all our 43 markets, voted for their favourite.

Finally, we were down to the final four: Italy, Lebanon, Austria, and South Africa, leading judges from across the business to make the nerve-wracking final call on this year’s winner… Cynthia Khattar from Lebanon!

Panning to her store in Mansourieh near Beirut, Cynthia’s partners rushed on-screen to celebrate, a three-year partner with Alshaya whose passion for coffee began when she watched her barista trainer pour a latte art finish, inspiring years of practice, research, and refining, and now see her crowned Barista Champion 2021.&nbsp;

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The accolade no doubt comes as welcome news to Lebanon, where <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/emea/stories/2020/starbucks-foundation-and-alshaya-group-donate-to-lebanon-disaster-relief-efforts/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">just over a year ago </a>partners in the country’s capital Beirut experienced one of the world’s largest-ever non-nuclear explosions.

As part of her win, Cynthia will receive her very own coffee named after her, made at the Starbucks Reserve Roastery in Milan, in its own limited edition bag design.

A stellar victory for a deserved champ, we can’t wait to see what Cynthia does next… but if one thing’s for sure, it will likely involve the copious amount of coffee.

We leave you with some extended highlights from the EMEA Barista Championship 2021:

Lights, Camera, Action: Lebanon’s Cynthia Khattar crowned Barista Champion 2021, live from Central London - Starbucks Stories EMEA

Lights, Camera, Action: Lebanon’s Cynthia Khattar crowned Barista Champion 2021, live from Central London

Updated: 22 November 2021 It might have been raining in England, but at Starbucks iconic Tower Place store in London, there was still plenty to smile about, as partners from 26 countries across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa competed in the finals to become this year’s 2021 EMEA Barista Champion. Streaming in real-time online […]

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There is always a person behind the coffee, but could there be a champion barista behind your next beverage? Meet the 16 finalists from across Europe, Middle East, and Africa competing to win the title of Barista Champion 2021.

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Meet your Top 16 finalists for the EMEA Barista Championship 2021 - Starbucks Stories EMEA

Meet your Top 16 finalists for the EMEA Barista Championship 2021

There is always a person behind the coffee, but could there be a champion barista behind your next beverage? Meet the 16 finalists from across Europe, Middle East, and Africa competing to win the title of Barista Champion 2021. Stefani, Austria Hercules, Cyprus Julia, Czech Republic Victoria, France Zalan, Hungary Isabella, Italy Cynthia, Lebanon Jurre, […]

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They say good things come to those who wait, and after a year hiatus, over 40, 000 partners from across Europe, Middle East, and Africa are finally getting their chance to be crowned Barista Champion, at the long-awaited 2021 awards.

Putting the proverb to the test and making up for a lost time, this year will also see the pinnacle event streamed online for the very first time.

Fully interactive, viewers can chat and react along the way, and for the first time, the audience will now decide who makes it to the final as they vote in real-time during the popular latte art throwdown round.

Testing their skills from bean to cup, partners will answer questions on ethical sourcing, as well as tasting and serving different coffee blends and techniques as we whittle down the finalists from 26 to the final four throughout the two-day event, before the finalists are put in front of an expert panel of judges to decide who is crowned this year's winner at the Starbucks EMEA Barista Championship. All the action will be live from Central London, right next to London's iconic Tower Bridge.

Renovated this year to serve as a pinnacle of Starbucks retail, product, and innovation, Starbucks Tower Place store has been carefully designed to champion handcrafted coffee and celebrate coffee craft culture.

Marking the first of many moments of reconnection, we have found new ways to connect and come together online to celebrate that whoever you are, wherever you are, whatever you believe, we are all connected by coffee.

EMEA Barista Championship is back and live-streamed from Central London connecting 40,000 partners - Starbucks Stories EMEA

EMEA Barista Championship is back and live-streamed from Central London connecting 40,000 partners

They say good things come to those who wait, and after a year hiatus, over 40, 000 partners from across Europe, Middle East, and Africa are finally getting their chance to be crowned Barista Champion, at the long-awaited 2021 awards. Putting the proverb to the test and making up for a lost time, this year […]

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October marks Black History Month – an annual opportunity to celebrate the history, achievements and contributions of those with black heritage. This year, we celebrate Black History Month under the notion of “Keep Going” towards racial equity and progression.

The aim of this month is to keep uplifting, educating, inspiring, and supporting the community to push forward by celebrating black positive contributions, challenging our thoughts, and enhancing our cultural awareness.

The Black Partner Network has created artwork that represents the marches and social movements that have occurred in the battle for equity and justice. Notice the intricate dots in different shades, this represents the many people that have come together to advocate, educate, and support the black community.

This Black History Month, we welcome you to get to know and honour the individual identities and perspectives of some of our black partners. Join us in meeting a few of our EMEA retail partners who celebrate their journeys and share the importance of this month!

Tell us a bit about your role in the business and how long you’ve been a partner?

I am proud to have been a partner for 12 years, managing a leading some of our high-volume stores. It has been an honour and a privilege to work with many amazing partners from diverse backgrounds – which is one of the things I love most about my job.

Why is black history month important to you and what excites you the most about it?

A continued engagement with our heritage is important as it helps us understand the present. It’s exciting to appreciate and celebrate achievements and how far we have all come.

What does equality mean to you?

Equality to me is where everyone has the same opportunity to make the most of their lives and talents irrespective of who they are.

I began my career with Starbucks as a barista and have been a partner for 5 years.

Why is black history month important to you and what excites you the most about it?

It’s important because at school we did not have the opportunity to learn about black history, and I believe that there is a big opportunity to educate all generations. We must speak about it to keep the history alive and there is still a lot more to learn on black history, heritage, and culture. Many things excite me about this month, but I am particularly interested in all the strong women, such as Harriet Tubman and Rosa Parks, who were brave enough to fight against racial segregation. All those brave women played a part in making the world a better place for everybody, regardless of their skin colour.

Equality to me is about having the opportunity to reach your true potential whatever race, age, or gender you are.

I began my Starbucks journey in 2017. To me, being a shift supervisor is about more than a set of skills and qualifications, I believe attitude and willingness to learn are equally as important. I am aware that I can't do everything alone; I trust my team and continue to motivate them to be the best they can be.

It’s important because black history, achievements, and struggles are rarely spoken about or celebrated and so young black people like me, were left unaware of what others that look like them can become or achieve. Black communities, culture, and identities are different and one month does not allow for many untold stories and perspectives. It does, however, encourage important conversations to begin on institutional racism, racial injustice, and black joy.

What advice would you give your younger self?

Enjoy all the little moments as growing up isn’t as fun as you think! Make mistakes, learn, and don’t repeat. Lastly, you’re original so why be a copy?

I’ve been privileged to be a Starbucks partner for 11 years, beginning as a barista. Following graduation from university, I decided to grow and develop at Starbucks because I felt a great sense of belonging. For me, my Starbucks experience has been one that has really lived up to our mission statement and commitment to diversity. I would like to take the opportunity to thank all the partners that have crossed my path on this journey. We really are an incredible group of people!

It’s important because it’s an opportunity to celebrate true diversity. It’s also a brilliant way to showcase how far we have come as a society in ensuring freedom and equality for all. Whilst we are not yet a truly equal society, it is refreshing to see the great strides in the right direction.

Equality for me is about ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to rise and fall, succeed or fail based on their ability and the content of their character alone. Equality looks like a multi-racial workforce, government, and school system. A society where people of all backgrounds are fully represented in all spheres of life, as CEOs, company directors, middle management, and entrepreneurs across all sectors of the economy.

Starbucks partners share how they celebrate Black History Month - Starbucks Stories EMEA

Starbucks partners share how they celebrate Black History Month

October marks Black History Month – an annual opportunity to celebrate the history, achievements and contributions of those with black heritage. This year, we celebrate Black History Month under the notion of “Keep Going” towards racial equity and progression. The aim of this month is to keep uplifting, educating, inspiring, and supporting the community to […]

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https://stories.starbucks.com/emea/stories/2021/starbucks-partners-share-how-they-celebrate-black-history-month/

Meet <a href="https://ibbytarafdar.com/">Ibrahim Tarafdar</a> – Ibby for short – who’s a young graphic designer and barista based in Cardiff, Wales. A loyal customer turned partner (employee), Ibby joined Starbucks in 2010, the same year he started studying graphic communication at college.

Ibby who was born and raised in the UK and is the eldest of five children in his family. His parents immigrated from Bangladesh, which meant at home he did not use English as his first language and while this was an initial barrier, it became something he learnt to quickly overcome.

“When I went to school, I was good at art and reading, which were two skills needed to pursue my passion for Graphic Communication.”

As a creative individual, Ibby recalls his first impression of Starbucks was the iconic Siren, a mythological creature at the centre of our cups, always ensuring the bold colour green is front-and-centre.

American culture and lifestyle have always been a big fascination for Ibby. Upon graduating from university in 2014, he decided to work on his own business, balancing life as a Starbucks barista at the same time. Ibby’s career break came when he designed the brand logo for world champion boxer, Gervonta ‘Tank’ Davis, who is signed to Floyd Mayweather. This high-profile project has given him great exposure, and people started reaching out to him through email and social media from all over the U.S., which has proved key to his continued success. However, one thing that has kept Ibby grounded throughout is his local Starbucks community.

“Starbucks has always given me that platform to connect with people from all walks of life. This is important for me as it resonates personally, but it is also in our Mission and Values ‘“to create a culture of warmth and belonging where everyone is welcome’.”

Throughout his 10 years at Starbucks, connection remains one of his favourite aspects of the role. He recalls that Starbucks is all about: “creating moments of connection with customers who sometimes only visit when I’m working and still remember my name after all these years.”

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Ibby also talks about connection with his fellow partners (employees), “working together with partners has helped me understand how to be a team player and work collaboratively to deliver the Starbucks Experience.”

Behind the Green Apron