The benefit concert, now in its 27th year, has raised more than $1 million for high-school jazz programs in Washington state.

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Long before Darin Faul was a high school jazz teacher at Mountlake Terrace High School, north of Seattle, he was a high school student who had the opportunity to visit Europe with a touring concert band.&nbsp;&nbsp;

At a music hall in Florence, Italy, he played the trumpet on an arrangement of “Amazing Grace.” He remembers getting back to the bus, awestruck by the experience, and telling one of his friends, “I want to be a musician. I want to stay engaged with this.”&nbsp;&nbsp;

For Faul, that trip is a foundational memory, a moment that confirmed to him the value of the arts. It’s something he hopes his students – and the audience – also get to fully experience when they take part in the 27th Annual Starbucks Hot Java Cool Jazz at The Paramount Theatre in Seattle on March 29.&nbsp;&nbsp;

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“The arts express things, that if we could express them with words, we would,” says Faul, who’s taught at Mountlake Terrace High School for 26 years. “But we can’t, and so we sing about it, or play about it, or draw about it, or sculpt about it.&nbsp;&nbsp;

“When I experience a great piece of art, I become tremendously reflective. I feel no need to talk. I feel knocked over by it. I feel changed because of it.”&nbsp;

Hot Java Cool Jazz is a benefit concert featuring five of the top high-school jazz programs in the state performing in a non-competitive format. This year’s lineup, selected by a panel which included local music professionals, also includes student bands representing Edmonds-Woodway, Garfield, Mount Si and Roosevelt high schools.&nbsp;

One hundred percent of proceeds from ticket sales go back to participating schools. Since its inception in 1995, Hot Java Cool Jazz has raised more than $1 million for local high school jazz programs.&nbsp;&nbsp;

This year’s benefit concert comes at a time when school districts across the country are struggling to fund the arts, as administrators deal with budget shortfalls and declining enrollment in public schools. The result? <a href="https://www.kiro7.com/news/local/edmonds-school-board-address-15m-cuts-music-art-classes/P6KD5LDVPBBCJNDNBRPFIKE4FM/?fbclid=IwAR3N0Oud7-UwxXUI6g72wkIk5qYS2mmk_3LPgxBHO2JO1QA4iB3KMMmgmKg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Music classes are being cut</a>, <a href="https://www.seattletimes.com/education-lab/a-blue-note-school-jazz-saved-but-mock-trial-could-fold-in-seattle-schools/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">feeder programs are threatened</a> and students who might have found a home in music have fewer options.&nbsp;

“There’s a lot of language in education around social and emotional learning and the value and importance of belonging,” says Hannah Mowry, who directs jazz at Roosevelt. “It’s hard to be a kid. It’s hard to be a teenager. You’re so vulnerable when you’re a kid. There has to be an outlet for some of those experiences and those hard feelings.&nbsp;&nbsp;

“If we’re trying to create places in schools for kids to belong and to give kids tools to be in touch with their social, emotional selves, you must put value in the arts.”&nbsp;

Consider the testimonies of some of those who’ll participate at this year’s Hot Java Cool Jazz, who can attest to the value of the arts in their lives. &nbsp;

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For Faul, at Mountlake Terrace, the value of music is personal. Not only has he guided students in his community for over two decades, he’s teaching his own children. One son played at Hot Java Cool Jazz several years ago; his daughter will play this year. Some families do sports together. Faul has a family band.&nbsp;&nbsp;

“Support artists,” Faul says. “Take your kids to see art and talk about it. If you have a 5th-grade student who’s learning the trombone, rent two. Why not? It’s never too old to do this. You’ll stay engaged in an activity with your kid, forever.”&nbsp;&nbsp;

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The benefit concert, now in its 27th year, has raised more than $1 million for high-school jazz programs in Washington state.

Starbucks Hot Java Cool Jazz is a testament to the value of the arts - Starbucks Stories

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Stories to inspire and nurture the human spirit

Starbucks Stories

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Starbucks Corporation

Starbucks Hot Java Cool Jazz is a testament to the value of the arts

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When you’re on the Starbucks beverage development team, inspiration can come from anywhere – sometimes even when you’re dodging bees.&nbsp;&nbsp;

For Patrick Penny, a lead beverage developer, a trip to a lavender farm in Washington state helped inspire the development of the new iced lavender beverages arriving in U.S. Starbucks stores today, Mar. 7.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Last summer, Penny and members of the Starbucks beverage development team took a ferry from Starbucks headquarters in Seattle to Sequim, Washington – also known as the “Lavender Capital of North America.” They spent the sunny day walking through neat rows of fragrant purple lavender plants as part of what the team calls a “trek,” a special experience or outing that can help spark the creative process. &nbsp;

“We have an abundance of lavender farms in Washington state; it’s a really beautiful floral and it smells amazing,” he said. “We were in the fields cutting various stalks of lavender, smelling different varietals, looking at the flowers ... trying not to get stung by bees.”&nbsp;

Soon after the trip, Penny began developing Starbucks new lavender flavor, which had been a popular request from Starbucks partners (employees) and at the original store in Seattle’s Pike Place Market and other nearby <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/press/2022/starbucks-unveils-heritage-market-with-three-seattle-hometown-stores-dedicated-to-honoring-past-present-and-future-of-coffee-and-community/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Heritage Market stores</a> where they served a specialty Market Latte with a lavender honey syrup created by store partners in 2023.

The new beverages, Iced Lavender Cream Oatmilk Matcha and Iced Lavender Oatmilk Latte, are made with proprietary lavender powder. He said, “We found a powder to be the best expression of the subtle sweetness of lavender. It reminds me of lavender ice cream because of the light and soft vanilla flavor.”&nbsp;

Penny is looking forward to seeing reactions to the new beverages. “It was so cool to take that experience in the lavender field and turn it into different Starbucks beverages that I hope both our partners and customers will love.”

“Partners have been asking us to introduce lavender, and it’s a concept we’ve been working on for some time now,” he said. “We’re hoping to have captured the feeling of springtime with this flavor.”&nbsp;

Iced Lavender Cream Oatmilk Matcha

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“When creating the new Iced Lavender Cream Oatmilk Matcha, we wanted to capture the uplifting energy of spring in a cup,” Penny shared. “The vibrant green matcha topped with lavender-hued cold foam delivers a delightfully colorful and unexpectedly delicious flavor combination.”&nbsp;

Iced Lavender Oatmilk Latte

“We aimed to create a really balanced, delicious beverage,” Penny said. “The oatmilk and the Blonde Espresso make a lovely pairing, providing a smooth, well-rounded profile that is complemented by the floral and vanilla flavors of lavender.”&nbsp;

*Lavender Cream Cold Foam contains dairy.&nbsp;

Iced Lavender Latte on an artistic background of lavender springs and window panes.

Starbucks is adding a touch of lavender to its lineup this season with the Iced Lavender Cream Oatmilk Matcha and Iced Lavender Oatmilk Latte, giving both coffee and tea-drinkers something new to love.

Starbucks new lavender drinks offer a taste of spring for everyone

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Shae Anthony has always been an artist at heart. “I call myself a maker,” Anthony said. “I’ve sewn handbags, I’ve crafted jewelry, I'm always trying to turn nothing into something. If it can be made, I've probably tried making it!”&nbsp;&nbsp;

The creative energy of her hometown of Atlanta helped fuel her artistic passion and her brand, SHE IS THIS. “I was born and raised in Atlanta, so I grew up surrounded by lots of inspiration, from the unique architecture to the colorful wall murals,” she said. “One of my favorite things about my city is the abundance of street art. It's everywhere and has truly become a part of the landscape.”

She made a shift to illustration, with a focus on representing women of color, after seeing a set of art prints that featured Black women for the first time in 2019. “As a Black woman I very rarely, or never, saw myself in art. That day I went home, and I started SHE IS THIS, and it’s been going ever since.” 

Now her illustrations are being featured in the latest of the <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/stories/2023/new-line-of-starbucks-merchandise-celebrates-unique-stories-of-artists-around-the-world/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Starbucks Artist Collaboration Series,</a> which celebrates the unique stories of artists from all over the world. Anthony’s collection has a vibrant color palette with her signature colors of orange, teal, chartreuse green and hot pink. “I’m a ‘90s baby, and my style gravitates toward those kinds of colors and patterns. I can’t even help it,” she said. Three pieces of drinkware will be featured in U.S. Starbucks stores this spring, while supplies last.&nbsp;

The two-tone figure represents the power of women, and as a way of coming together over the divide of colorism. “I make sure I show all skin tones because my mom has darker skin,” she said. “She's my hero so I try to make sure I always incorporate her tone and my tone and every other tone in between.” &nbsp;

“I knew for Women’s History Month I wanted something that was really inspirational, driving home the idea that no matter what that skin looks like or what that hair looks like – you are beautiful,” she said.

“The moment I got the initial call from Starbucks, I just knew I wanted to go colorful,” she said. “Purple is not usually a color I work with, but I made it the basis for the design.”

Target-Exclusive Collection

Target stores in the United States will also feature a series of three Target-exclusive cups, including a 12-ounce ceramic double-wall tumbler with colorful abstract shapes, a 24-ounce cold cup with a layered design and a message to “love yourself,” and a 16 ounce-plastic tumbler with playful line art.&nbsp;

“It’s a joyful collection, I want you to see that color grab you that you immediately feel happy,” Anthony said. “And then as you come closer you read it, you learn, you get curious about what's going on, and you find out more.”&nbsp;

Celebrating Women’s History Month&nbsp;

In honor of International Women's Day, on March 8, Starbucks is proud to recognize the importance of gender equality and the ongoing triumphs and contributions of women – as unique individuals and as a powerful collective. From “the first 10 feet” on the farm to “the last 10 feet” at our stores, and at key points in between, women have always played a crucial role in the coffee business and its future. Join us as we celebrate and support the women farmers, agronomists, roasters, buyers, baristas, artists, and business leaders who make up Starbucks global coffee story.&nbsp;

In acknowledgment of the impact women have in their communities, The Starbucks Foundation has partnered with nonprofit organizations around the world that promote women’s leadership, create economic opportunities and expand access to clean water and sanitation (WASH) – all in an effort to positively impact 1 million women and girls by 2030.&nbsp;&nbsp;

To further this goal, The Starbucks Foundation is announcing 10 new projects in the Origin Grants portfolio totaling nearly $4 million to positively impact an estimated 19,000+ women and girls in coffee-, tea- and cocoa-growing communities in eight origins, accelerating progress towards our goal. These new grants will impact women in Colombia, Costa Rica, Cote d’Ivoire, Guatemala, Indonesia, Peru, Uganda and Vietnam. Learn more about the <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/press/2024/the-starbucks-foundation-announces-10-new-grants-as-part-of-its-commitment-to-uplift-1-million-women-and-girls-by-2030/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">nonprofits receiving Origin Grants in 2024</a> and other <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">ongoing grants as part of our 2030 goal</a>.&nbsp;

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Artist Shae Anthony’s joyful collection of drinkware for the Starbucks Artist Collaboration Series is coming to U.S. Starbucks stores this spring.

Starbucks new colorful merch collaboration honors Women’s History Month

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Each year, Starbucks invites partners (employees) to help guide where The Starbucks Foundation will distribute millions of dollars in local <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/stories/neighborhood-grants/">Neighborhood Grants</a>. This unique grantmaking process prioritizes community-based organizations that serve under-resourced populations, while also promoting social and racial equity. &nbsp;

Partners know their communities best and have a deep understanding of what the critical issues are, which is why they play a vital role in identifying and nominating nonprofits that are addressing local challenges. &nbsp;

Since 2019, partners have submitted more than 80,000 nominations, resulting in over 10,000 Neighborhood Grants, totaling over $15 million. The current round of nominations is open now through March 3, 2024. 

This round of Neighborhood Grants will focus on organizations addressing homelessness, empowering youth, providing hunger relief, uplifting families and focusing on environmental stewardship. 

Two Starbucks partners, Hayden and Chanel recently shared their reasons for nominating nonprofits in their communities that help people experiencing homelessness.&nbsp;

Partners leading the way&nbsp;

In 2023, partner Hayden in Amarillo, Texas was one of thousands of baristas to answer the call to nominate a local organization for the first time for a Neighborhood Grant.&nbsp;&nbsp;

He chose <a href="https://www.theparc.net/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">the PARC, which stands for Panhandle Adult Rebuilding Center.</a> The PARC is a place for people experiencing homelessness to come during the day to be in the community – without judgment – surrounded by unlimited coffee, a wide range of art supplies, and a rotating list of classes for everything from bible studies and recovery to financial management.&nbsp;

In Hayden’s nomination letter, which he typed out in minutes, he wrote movingly of his personal connection to the PARC. Here is an excerpt:&nbsp;&nbsp;

The PARC was founded knowing that lost people can find their identities again. Many shelters in the area are closed for cleaning during the day but the PARC remains open to empower individuals to find themselves. Through art, videos, mentorship, and a loving community the PARC has given people back their identity. Most importantly we call people by their name and recognize that they are an individual. I have been volunteering since I was 14 years old and have seen so many lives changed…&nbsp;

How grants inspire volunteerism&nbsp;

Meanwhile, in Las Vegas, Nevada, store manager and 14-year Starbucks partner Chanel joined with fellow partners to nominate the <a href="https://nphy.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nevada Partnership for Homeless Youth</a> (NPHY) for multiple grants totaling more than $18,000 since 2020. That funding goes toward helping NPHY’s housing programs, drop-in centers, outreach efforts, workforce development programs and therapy services.&nbsp;

“Just being able to give back to our community is so important,” Chanel says. “It's who we are at Starbucks. It's part of our culture.”&nbsp;

On a rare rainy Thursday morning earlier this month, Wright and more than a dozen other Starbucks partners showed up at NPHY to cook breakfast and make sandwiches for the organization’s clients, who range from ages 14 to 24. Joy and laughter filled the kitchen that day.&nbsp;

The longstanding collaboration is mutually beneficial – giving many youths exposure to positive roles models while also inspiring partner volunteers to be part of a community solution to a stubborn and persistent issue.&nbsp;

NPHY chief executive officer Arash Ghafoori told Chanel that Nevada has one of the highest numbers of unhoused youths in the country. About 12 percent of U.S. youth experiencing homelessness resided in Nevada in 2022, according to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.&nbsp;

“There's kind of a full circle thing going on here when [Starbucks partners] come volunteer with us. It’s workforce development,” he shared with her. “You're creating an environment where young people can see that there are positive adult role models; there are safe adult role models. In fact, sometimes they can even see themselves in that person who’s volunteering with us from Starbucks and go, ‘Wow, I could be that person’ or, ‘I could work with them.’”

Empowered by Starbucks to do more&nbsp;

In Texas, when Hayden learned that the PARC, which he’d nominated, had been selected to receive a grant, he said he felt amazing. &nbsp;&nbsp;

“I was very emotional because I felt that when I left social work [school], there was nothing else for me,” he said. “But I realized Starbucks really does care about people, and I was able to find, I think, a new avenue for helping people that I didn't think was possible.” &nbsp;

The PARC’s executive director and co-founder Valerie Gooch says that beyond the time Hayden has given, every penny of the Neighborhood Grant the organization received has a direct impact on individuals often experiencing the lowest point of their lives. Homelessness is a chronic community problem that requires constant support and resources. &nbsp;

“When a member walks through the door, [funding] means they can have good coffee, they can have a beautiful building, they can have supplies for creativity,” she says, providing a gateway for each individual to “feel accepted and to begin to move forward.”&nbsp;&nbsp;

A few states away, Chanel says bringing balloons and a certificate to the staff of NPHY when they’ve received grants in the past is an incredibly meaningful and fun experience. 

“It really fills my cup to know that I hopefully did my part to help someone's life. Maybe it made someone smile or just know that they’re cared for.”&nbsp;

Impacting real people&nbsp;&nbsp;

When Hayden thinks of friends he has made along the way, he beams when he brings up a former PARC member named Tracy. At a reunion in January, Tracy shared that she was not in a good place eight years ago when she started coming to the center. Chronically abused and unhoused, she described herself as emotionally walled off and difficult. She said that meeting Hayden was unexpected and helped to change the course of her life. Tracy has since graduated from college with honors, is no longer experiencing homelessness and is reunited with her family.&nbsp;

“When you become homeless, you do not feel like people love you anymore. You're made fun of by other homeless people. You're made fun of by all society. It's just really hard to rebuild your life or to feel like you have a purpose or a place where you can come,” Tracy says. “For me, art is therapy. So, the PARC is free therapy. A warm cup of coffee is huge, that is gold – coffee is frigging life! So I could not be more grateful that Starbucks would choose a place like this or choose people like us to spend their money.”

At NPHY in Las Vegas, Ghafoori says partnering to serve some of the most vulnerable among us is an important reminder of the role that a global coffee company has in a local community.&nbsp;

“Today I had a chance to meet Chanel, the very person from our local neighborhood Starbucks that nominated us for this really amazing award. And it really helped us. Starbucks is a big corporation, but at the end of the day they're doing on-the-ground work, community by community, neighborhood by neighborhood,” he said. “It's like we can actually hug Starbucks, we can high five with Starbucks. We can actually share a coffee together. And that's because Chanel nominated us for this award.”

Nominating local heroes &nbsp;

To her fellow partners, Chanel hopes that they find a few minutes out of their busy schedules to nominate a cause they care about.&nbsp;&nbsp;

“I hope that our partners know that applying for a Neighborhood Grant can feel like a really difficult task, but there are ways to make this easier. If it's hard or if you have questions, talk to your manager,” she advises.&nbsp;&nbsp;

On the receiving end, nonprofit leaders like Ghafoori and Gooch could not be more grateful for the support.

“Because of those times when Starbucks just pops in with balloons and coffee and those delicious pastries, it helps us remember that we are doing hard work and that it's important and it's worth it and it's actually valued by our community partners,” Ghafoori says. “You're cheering us on. You're uplifting our work and we can't thank you enough for that because sometimes we need that too.”&nbsp;

In Amarillo, Gooch says Starbucks is a beloved brand and place for people to gather. She hopes that partners all over North America will help their communities the way Hayden has supported the PARC: “Take the time to nominate those places that are worthy of these grants because it's making a difference. And that impact spreads.” 

Grants from The Starbucks Foundation for local nonprofits are awarded based on nominations from Starbucks partners — totaling over $15 million since 2019.

How Starbucks partners help create change, one community at a time, with Neighborhood Grants

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Ella S., barista in the Starbucks Signing Store in Washington, D.C., shares what she learned exploring the story of coffee at Origin Experience in Costa Rica at Starbucks coffee farm, Hacienda Alsacia.&nbsp;

“What I’ll remember most is the farmers,” Ella said. “Picking those cherries … the cherries have a story. My perspective has changed.”

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Read more about Starbucks Origin Experience:

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Ella S., barista in the Starbucks Signing Store in Washington, D.C., shares what she learned at Origin Experience at Hacienda Alsacia in Costa Rica.

Video: Starbucks Origin Experience Costa Rica 2024

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SAN JOSÉ, COSTA RICA – Hacienda Alsacia is Starbucks first and only coffee farm. But it’s more than that – it’s a working farm, visitor center, farmer support center and research and development hub focused on the sustainability of coffee. A special place that tells the story of coffee, from bean to cup.&nbsp;

Since the program known as Origin Experience started in 2010, more than 4,000 partners have been immersed in the bean-to-cup coffee journey in Costa Rica, <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/people-in-coffee/2023/it-means-commitment-partners-reflect-on-visiting-indonesia-for-the-2023-origin-experience/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Indonesia</a> and <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/people-in-coffee/2023/photo-essay-partners-visit-rwanda-for-the-2023-origin-experience/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Rwanda</a>. More than 1,000 partners will participate globally this harvest season, chosen at random from a pool of eligible partners who have earned their black aprons through the <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/stories/2022/the-coveted-starbucks-coffee-master-black-aprons-return/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Coffee Master program</a>. They learn about the “first 10 feet” of coffee’s journey at the farm, and then take that experience back to the “last 10 feet” in the stores to share with customers and fellow partners.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Time spent in these coffee-producing places has proven to be transformative for the hundreds of Starbucks partners from across the company who’ve been through Origin Experience, said Calvin Blanchette, director of global coffee education and experiences. “We take partners on a journey to understand each step. They see coffee trees and learn about the care that goes into producing the red coffee cherries that will eventually become green (unroasted) coffee beans. They meet the people all along the supply chain – the farmers, the exporters, the agronomists, the quality specialists, the suppliers – who do all the work to ensure coffee quality in our stores every day.”&nbsp;&nbsp;

Blanchette estimates he has led groups of partners on more than 30 origin trips over the years. “Every time we’ve done it, I see partners emotionally changed from the experience,” he said. “Coffee connects people.”&nbsp;

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Here are the stories of three partners who took part in Origin Experience at Hacienda Alsacia during this season’s harvest.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Los Angeles store manager Rosa L. had a very personal reason for wanting to go on an Origin Experience trip – her grandfather was a coffee farmer in Oaxaca, Mexico.&nbsp;&nbsp;

“When I went to Mexico last summer, I talked to my uncles and told them I was applying to go to Costa Rica for the Origin Experience,” Rosa said. “And they said, ‘Oh, your grandpa would be so proud.’”&nbsp;

While at Origin Experience, partners are not only observers – they also spend time in the coffee fields harvesting ripe coffee cherries and planting trees. Victor Trejos, who has served as Hacienda Alsacia’s general manager since Starbucks first purchased the property in 2013, said that work on the farm helps connect partners to the realities of what it takes to serve a single cup of coffee.&nbsp;&nbsp;

“For our partners, they realize that we need to harvest coffee cherry by cherry,” Trejos said. “It’s manual work, and it takes many hands.”&nbsp;

Rosa thought of her grandfather when she picked coffee for the first time, filling the bottom of the basket with deep red cherries. “It was very emotional,” she said. “I thought back to my mom telling me stories about how her dad would pick cherries on coffee trees and would go and sell his coffee.”&nbsp;

Another important moment in the experience comes when partners each plant a tree. Here, Trejos tells them about his own upbringing in a farming family. The plot, named Esperanza, means “hope” in Spanish. It is also the name of his mother. “I am trying to show them all the faith, hope and love that a farmer puts into the land,” Trejos said. “Every time a farmer plants a tree, they are thinking about the future.”&nbsp;

When it was Rosa’s turn to plant a tree and fill out a marker, she inscribed the names of her family and the town in Oaxaca where they originated.&nbsp;

“For the tree, I wanted to dedicate it to my family because my sisters, my mom, and my dad are the biggest influences in my life,” she said. “I also wanted to dedicate it to my grandpa … I didn't get to say goodbye before he passed away. And so it was emotional to be able to dedicate something that he was so passionate about, and to see it in me.”&nbsp;&nbsp;

Reflecting on her experience, Rosa said, “When I think of all the work that goes into coffee – from a farmer and through all the hands in its journey to get to us at the store level – Origin Experience adds more value to what we do.”&nbsp;&nbsp;

When store manager Cam G. left his hometown of Ottawa, Ontario for Costa Rica, it was snowing. Arriving in San José took a bit of adjustment. “When I first walked up to the visitor center, and even when I got off the plane, it was unbelievable to be in a different place, to land here and have this opportunity,” he said.&nbsp;

But one thing that stayed the same was his curiosity about people, to know their stories and to learn their names. Just as he does at his store back home.&nbsp;&nbsp;

“I've been asking for names,” Cam said. “Names always relate back to what we do every day in the stores, every customer, every cup. Every customer has a name and every partner wears a name tag.”&nbsp;

Learning names at Hacienda Alsacia – fellow partners who work in a vastly different setting – has brought the experience full circle.&nbsp;&nbsp;

“Meeting all these people, having touched their work and learned their names and their story, it brings me to behind the counter, it brings me to that last step, that last 10 feet, where I'm handing off that drink to a customer,” Cam said. “And this experience now links this first 10 feet here with that last single foot of interacting with the customer. I know how long the coffee journey takes, I know how many people are involved, and what it means across the world.”&nbsp;

Charlene A., a barista trainer from Naples, Florida, said learning about Starbucks commitment to ensuring the future of coffee for all was an important part of her Origin Experience.&nbsp;

“Over the next five decades we have a lot of challenges,” said Trejos. “The climate is changing, and we have to work to continue to address this. We are thinking about productivity, but we are also at the same time thinking about carbon emissions from fertilizer and pulp waste, we are thinking about new technology. It’s not just one thing, it’s the small details to try to get to our goal.”&nbsp;

“It is phenomenal how Starbucks is looking 50 years in the future,” Charlene said. “Most people don't look past the day, or the week. Victor is looking toward the future and taking care of not just himself, his own family, but everyone that's in the process of making the coffee.” &nbsp;&nbsp;

Charlene said she’s grateful she had the opportunity to come to Hacienda Alsacia as part of Origin Experience.&nbsp;

“Actually, I'm very humbled. I feel very fortunate, very blessed, to be a part of Starbucks.” Charlene said. “And Starbucks cares enough about me, to allow me to experience this. Not a lot of companies do that.”

Three Starbucks partners share how a trip to Hacienda Alsacia, Starbucks research farm and global agronomy headquarters, brought them closer to coffee.

Coffee & Connection: Stories from Starbucks Origin Experience 2024 in Costa Rica

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We pursue goals for our partners, our communities, and our planet with intention, transparency, and accountability. We also have a deep commitment fulfilling the promises of key stakeholders – promises that when we are at our best, ensure mutual success for all. As a company, we continue to align our business performance with our environmental, social and governance (ESG) impact – acting with urgency and intention, guided by our unwavering commitment to excellence.

The way we hire, develop and advance our partners (employees) is fundamental to our commitment to inclusion, diversity, and equity at Starbucks. Each year, we publish our current workforce diversity data in a comprehensive and detailed manner, including our most recent filings with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. By doing so, we aim to create a culture of accountability, foster meaningful dialogue, and bring about positive change within our organization and beyond. Our commitment to regular progress updates remains steadfast as we continue our work towards creating a more inclusive and equitable Starbucks. We will continue to share our progress regularly.

Below you will find the gender, racial and ethnic composition of our Starbucks partners based in the United States. To better represent demographic patterns among Starbucks partners, we are presenting the data for the key functions of our U.S. business: partners who work in company-owned retail stores (Retail); roasting plants/distribution centers (Manufacturing); and support center roles including Marketing, Finance, etc. (Corporate).

As of October 1, 2023 Starbucks U.S. partner base is made up of 71.4% female and 28.3% male. Breaking down our representation further, our partners are 48.1% white, 31.7% Hispanic or Latino, 8.1% Black, 5.9% Asian, 4.9% Two or More Races, .6% American Indian or Alaskan Native and .5% Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander. The identification of these race and ethnicity categories are provided by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. And since 2018, we have consistently achieved 100 percent pay equity for partners of all genders and races in the U.S.

To promote transparency and open dialogue, Starbucks disclosed its EEO-1 data for the years 2016 through&nbsp;2023&nbsp;to-date, and we plan to disclose our Consolidated EEO-1 Report for&nbsp;2024&nbsp;effective upon our next submission to the EEOC in&nbsp;2025.

For a deeper understanding and breakdown of our diversity at Starbucks by job level, please explore the interactive data below.<a id="_msocom_1"></a>

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<a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/uploads/2024/02/2023-Starbucks-US-Workforce-Demographics.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Click here for 2023 data description</a>

<a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/uploads/2023/04/2022-Starbucks-US-Workforce-Demographics.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Click here for 2022 data description</a>

<a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/uploads/2022/01/2021-Starbucks-US-Workforce-Demographics.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Click here for 2021 data description</a>

<a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://stories.starbucks.com/uploads/2020/10/Starbucks-Workforce-Demographics-Data-Description-August-2020.pdf" target="_blank">Click here for 2020 data description</a>

Our previous EEO-1 reports can be downloaded here.

<a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/uploads/2024/08/EEO-1-2023.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">2023 EEO–1 Report</a> <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/uploads/2024/08/EEO1_2022_A253494_A253494_2.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">2022 EEO-1 Report</a> <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/uploads/2023/03/SBX230321-EEO-1_2021_Consolidated-Report_2.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">2021 EEO-1 Report</a> <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/uploads/2023/03/SBX230321-EEO-1_2020_Consolidated-Report_2.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">2020 EEO-1 Report</a> <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/uploads/2022/01/SBX220111-EEO-1_2019_Consolidated-Report.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">2019 EEO-1 Report</a> <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/uploads/2020/10/SBUX20201008-2018-EEO-1-Consolidated-Report.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">2018 EEO-1 Report</a> <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/uploads/2020/10/SBUX20201008-2017-EEO-1-Consolidated-Report.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">2017 EEO-1 Report</a> <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/uploads/2020/10/SBUX20201008-2016-EEO-1-Consolidated-Report.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">2016 EEO-1 Report</a>

The way we hire, develop and advance our partners (employees) is critical to our journey toward inclusion, diversity and equity at Starbucks.

Workforce Diversity at Starbucks

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https://stories.starbucks.com/stories/2024/workforce-diversity-at-starbucks/

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Starbucks new Washington, D.C., store is first built using new Inclusive Spaces Framework

For many customers who enter a Starbucks store, the first thing that probably comes to mind is what drink they’re going to order. But for those who often face barriers navigating a physical or digital space, other questions are also at the forefront: &nbsp;

Can I easily get in the store? Is there enough room to maneuver and sit? How will I communicate with the barista?&nbsp;&nbsp;

“So many people with disabilities don’t even access retailers because they can’t get in the door,” says Kim Knackstedt with Unlock Access, an accessibility and disability policy firm in Washington, D.C. “So having somewhere that is very easy to know that it’s a place that welcomes you, and you know this is a space where you belong, it’s a really big deal. You know it or you don’t, literally from the moment you enter.” &nbsp;

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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 opens today, Feb. 16, in Washington, D.C.’s Union Market neighborhood.&nbsp;

“Being thoughtful of others is important,” says Posa, a Deaf barista and one of eight Starbucks partners (employees) at the new store who know and use sign language. “This store is a good opportunity for everyone to feel like they can have access, regardless of where they come from. We’re going to get more diverse customers coming in, because it is accessible, and they’re going to have their needs met.”&nbsp;

Margaret, Starbucks district manager who oversees the store, says, “When I think about our core values, courage is one that I know we’ll lean into here. Another value – belonging – is what our customers will experience. We are going to make them feel like no matter who you are, we’re looking for ways to meet you right there.”&nbsp;&nbsp;

Learn about how Starbucks is improving the partner experience and creating a more accessible and inclusive retail setting for all customers, and some of the key features designed to make a difference.&nbsp;

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Next-generation point-of-sale (POS)&nbsp;&nbsp;

The new POS system being tested at this store is designed to aid partner and customer interactions, with voice recognition that captures what the customer is saying, screen magnification, images of menu items to support language diversity and visual confirmation of orders.&nbsp;

Power-operated doors &nbsp;

At the front entrance, from both the inside and outside, any customer can push the power door buttons to enter stores independently and with ease. The longer vertical buttons are easier to activate from different heights and angles.

More accessible handoff counter&nbsp;&nbsp;

An updated handoff plane features an overhanging shelf and almost three feet of clearance underneath, providing lots of extra room for customers to approach with wheelchairs, power chairs, strollers and service dogs.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Optimized acoustics and lighting&nbsp;

Adjustable lighting – including multiple dimmers and power screens on the exterior windows – helps reduce daytime glare and shadows that might interfere with visual communication. Acoustic dampening baffles in the ceiling help reduce noise and reverberations, including for people who use assisted listening devices, such as hearing aids.

Aira for low-vision, blind customers&nbsp;&nbsp;

With the Aira app, customers who are blind or have low-vision are <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/stories/2021/starbucks-offers-aira-creating-accessible-experience-for-blind-and-low-vision-customers/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">connected via their smartphone camera</a> to on-demand visual interpreters who help guide them through the store.

Inclusive equipment design&nbsp;&nbsp;

Starbucks new bean-to-cup brewer, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4FE3QfS4p8Y" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">the Clover Vertica</a>™, combines advanced engineering with accessibility features like a larger dial, visual and haptic confirmation and a light to notify partners when brewing is complete.

Customer order status boards&nbsp;&nbsp;

A large status board at the end of the bar provides a visual cue to customers; names are alphabetized into three columns: received, in progress and ready. The technology is the next iteration of learnings, born out of the first few Starbucks signing stores, including <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/stories/2018/all-signs-point-to-washington-dc/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">one in Washington, D.C.,</a> just a few blocks away. The original board was just a computer monitor.

Mural designed by Deaf artist&nbsp;&nbsp;

The approximately eight-foot-tall wrap-around mural was designed by <a href="https://www.ryanseslow.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ryan Seslow</a>, a Deaf New York City-based artist and college professor who has hereditary hearing loss. His piece is <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/stories/2024/deaf-artist-hopes-mural-at-dc-starbucks-starts-conversations-about-inclusion-accessibility/">designed to help spark community conversation around disability, accessibility and inclusion</a>. A replica is etched into the store’s community table, offering another more tactile way to engage with the design.

Community commitment to inclusion&nbsp;&nbsp;

At this Starbucks, half the store’s partners know and use American Sign Language. Some are Deaf or hard-of-hearing. It’s a commitment aligned with the ethos of the neighborhood; the store is located just blocks away from Gallaudet, the nation’s premier Deaf and hard-of-hearing university. In fact, Matthew, the store manager, is one of several Deaf store leaders at Starbucks, and a graduate of Gallaudet.

Other design considerations&nbsp;

Edges on furniture and walls are rounded to soften harsh corners and improve flow. Textural gradients, open sightlines and counter height create a sense of direction and approachability. In the bathroom, to limit reaching, a 3-in-1 device dispenses water and soap and dries hands.

“At Starbucks, we have challenged ourselves to imagine what’s possible when we take a closer look at all the many ways our partners and customers interact with us and experience our stores every day,” says Katie Young, senior vice president of store operations. “Building and scaling an Inclusive Store Framework is central to our mission of connection and will lead to greater access for all.”

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