Supporting our partners, creating a sense of belonging
Our culture has been built with a long line of partners who dared to make Starbucks a different kind of company. With each era, we each make our contribution. To continue this legacy as we create the future of Starbucks, we are radically improving the partner experience so they can thrive – at work, as individuals and together. Core to this is ensuring that Starbucks is an inclusive, diverse, equitable and accessible company – a place where all are welcome, and our partners feel a sense of belonging.
We know that our work can only be realized through action. We demonstrate our commitment to advancing equity through how we design our stores, our community investments, the standards we’ve put in place to hold ourselves and our leaders accountable, and so much more.
Strengthening a Culture of Inclusion
Increasing access to mentorship
In 2021, launched our Inclusion & Diversity mentorship program designed to prioritize our partners’ sense of belonging by creating an inclusive and supportive environment. Mentors offer guidance, encouragement and a safe space for partners to share their experiences, challenges and aspirations. As of 2023, the program has welcomed nearly 1,400 partners.
“A program of this kind could go a long way in building not only skill and capability, but engagement and fostering a sense of hope and belief that I can maximize my true potential, and there’s room for me to do more than I’m doing today.” — Shanel, director of regional operations in Georgia and member of first cohort
Growing participation in our Partner Networks
Led by partners, for partners, Starbucks Partner Networks create moments of connection that promote diversity, foster inclusion and contribute to the success of our partners and our company. They are thoughtful advocates and powerful voices to help promote change and understanding within the organization and beyond. Through Networks, Starbucks partners build communities of belonging and moments that invite us to learn, celebrate, contribute and reflect on the diverse cultures, experiences and convictions that make us human.
Today, we have 13 Partner Networks in the U.S., with 100+ regional chapters in the U.S. To learn more, click here.
Maintaining 100 percent gender and race pay equity in the U.S.
Since 2018, we have been committed to consistently achieving and maintaining gender and race pay equity in the U.S. Learn more about reasons for the gender pay gap and the best practices and tools Starbucks uses to close the gap here.
Providing tools and trainings to create inclusive environments in stores
We’re committed to equipping managers and partners with the tools and training necessary to create store environments that are free from the effects of implicit bias. This includes a detailed discussion guide with scenarios for retail leaders to understand how to connect with each partner more deeply, based on their individual experiences and challenges.
Updated and relevant training for all partners
We are requiring all leaders who are vice presidents and above to complete a two-hour anti-bias training and the foundational and racial bias courses from the To Be Welcoming curriculum. The full curriculum is also available to all partners and the public at no cost.
Setting and maintaining representation goals
By 2025, our goal is to achieve racial and ethnic diversity of at least 30% at all corporate levels and at least 40% at all retail and manufacturing roles. To see how we are doing, check out our interactive view of Starbucks workforce data.
We are continuing to enhance our efforts in reaching a broader pool of candidates and fostering inclusivity in our recruitment practices, assessing partner engagement, and continuing to provide opportunities for inclusive leadership training.
Creating accountability at leadership levels
Starbucks executives are accountable for driving inclusion and diversity within their teams, and we’re doing so by tying executive compensation to the building of inclusive and diverse teams.
Learn about how we celebrate heritage at Starbucks, and how our partners are part of our equity, inclusion and diversity journey:
