A letter to Starbucks partners from Dennis Brockman, chief global inclusion and diversity officer

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We are committed to creating a safe, brave place where you are valued. That includes your right to self-identify in your own way and to be addressed by your preferred or chosen name and pronouns.

We unfortunately live in a time where our LGBTQIA2+ community continues to face hate and uncertainty. We know this is hurtful and may be weighing on many of you. I want you to know that we see you, and we stand with you.

In times like these, our responsibility to create welcoming environments feels more important than ever. It’s why we have <a href="https://s2.bl-1.com/h/dpVwd9mV?url=https://stories.starbucks.com/stories/2019/starbucks-pride-a-long-legacy-of-lgbtq-inclusion/">stood up for our LGBTQIA2+ partners for more than 30 years</a> – from inclusive health coverage, to expanding voluntary self-identification for partners, to supporting organizations like Human Rights Campaign and National Center for Transgender Equality. And we continue to <a href="https://s2.bl-1.com/h/dpVwdF8X?url=https://www.hrc.org/resources/business-coalition-for-equality">advocate in support of the Equality Act</a> and <a href="https://www.hrc.org/resources/business-statement-on-anti-lgbtq-state-legislation" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">oppose the discriminatory policies</a> and actions we’ve seen proposed in many states around the country.

I want to also be very honest in saying we haven’t always gotten this right – and we are committed to turning setbacks into opportunities that are meaningful to your partner experience – like launching pronoun pins across U.S. Retail this summer, expanding our self-ID options, and updating internal systems like Partner Central so they reflect partners’ preferred or chosen names and pronouns. And as we continue to make improvements, we will need your partnership and guidance when we fall short.

I invite you to join us. Here are some ways you can help make a difference:

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Additionally, as part of our ongoing efforts to create a brave space for partners to have candid discussions we will be bringing together a panel of partners and advocates engaged in the pursuit for social justice. Please join me in April for a Real Talk discussion on how we continue to support our LGBTQIA2+ partners and communities and ways you can get involved.

I know that the ongoing uncertainty can feel deeply personal, and it’s okay to need to talk to someone. All U.S. partners have access to mental health care options at <a href="https://s2.bl-1.com/h/dpVwfvLq?url=https://retailstarbucks1com-my.sharepoint.com/personal/badkins_starbucks_com/Documents/Microsoft%20Teams%20Chat%20Files/lyrahealth.com/starbucks">Lyra</a>. And remember, discrimination and harassment, including intentional misgendering, have no place at Starbucks. If you need support, please call Partner Relations.

Partners, we are in this together and we are committed to doing our part in caring for you and driving real change. Thank you for being part of the journey.

Dennis Brockman (he/him/his) svp, chief global inclusion and diversity officer

That includes your right to self-identify in your own way and to be addressed by your chosen name and pronoun.

Starbucks commitment to LGBTQIA2+: A safe third place where you are seen, heard and valued

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In a letter to U.S. partners, chief global inclusion and diversity officer Dennis Brockman reflects on Starbucks ongoing journey to be a more inclusive, welcoming third place.

Dear Partners, I was exposed to the realities of Jim Crow at an early age.&nbsp; Segregation, disparities in health, wealth, housing, and employment weren’t an anomaly, they were life. The idea that a young Black boy could dream of one day going to college and aspire to be something great existed in my home with my mother and siblings, in my church, and within my community, but the dream often stopped there.&nbsp; Like many Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC), we’re encouraged to dream big and then we’re taught to keep those dreams to ourselves out of fear that someone might question our desire for more – our desire for true freedom and autonomy. It wasn’t until the Civil Rights Movement, spearheaded in the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s by leaders such as Martin Luther King, Jr., Cesar Chavez, Yuri Kochiyama, Marsha P. Johnson, Madonna Thunder Hawk, Judith Ellen "Judy" Heumann, and hundreds of others, that this country began to witness a shift in racial and other discriminatory attitudes. These efforts influenced policies to address school segregation, unfair employment and housing laws, and voter suppression practices, but the movement did not put an end to the narrative of racial and social inequity deeply embedded in this country’s history.

Fast forward several decades, and we’ve welcomed a new era of civil rights activists and community leaders, many of whom are our partners, who face 21st century social justice issues such as the senseless murder of George Floyd, the unexplainable violence against Asian Americans, the disproportionate toll COVID-19 has had on Latinx and Black people, a slew of anti-transgender legislation, and the millions of refugees, undocumented, and displaced people around the world.&nbsp; Sadly, the list can go on and on. While I wish I had the antidote to dismantle systemic discrimination, I do not. But I do believe in the power of civic engagement and role it plays in social change. And I have faith in knowing that more than 50 years ago, a different kind of company was born that put people at the center. And these people, our partners, have been a catalyst for change in the U.S. and around the world.&nbsp; Through their commitment to their communities and one another, partners have demonstrated anything is possible when guided by a mission to inspire and nurture the human spirit - one person, one cup and one neighborhood at a time. We haven’t always gotten it right, and we have experienced setbacks, but we’ve taken those setbacks and turned them into opportunities to grow and to be better.&nbsp; You hold us accountable, and I am grateful for that.&nbsp; We will always listen to our partners because your thoughts, feelings, and perspectives matter. That’s why, <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/press/2020/starbucks-role-and-responsibility-in-advancing-racial-and-social-equity/">last year</a>, Starbucks took a series of actions that would accelerate our journey to advance racial and social equity for our partners and our communities with intentionality, transparency, and accountability.&nbsp; It’s not enough to share these words in one message, our work must be realized through action.&nbsp; Tomorrow we will share some details on our continued commitment to becoming a more inclusive company and instill that within all the communities we serve. These commitments are in addition to the actions we’ve already taken on the realization of our vision to create an inclusive Starbucks. We all have a role to contribute and its with that purpose in mind that we continue to invest in these areas for all partners. Learning comes by doing, and that’s what we are committed to. As a 14-year partner, I’ve prided myself in living Starbucks Mission and Values with a clear approach: real inclusion requires intent. When we do that, we have the power to reframe and normalize diversity.&nbsp; Actions that nurture and embrace our exquisite cultural intricacies provide proof that we are committed to real change, not an award-winning performance.&nbsp; I do not take this work lightly – we’ve made great strides, but we cannot lose momentum and must move faster to accelerate the change necessary and imperative to ensure Starbucks is the brand of choice in being the most diverse, inclusive, equitable and accessible company.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; I began this letter with a little about my personal life and journey because if we do not understand our history, we are undoubtedly destined to repeat it.&nbsp; For fifty years, Starbucks has been led by its Mission and Values.&nbsp; Through intentionality, transparency, and accountability, I believe we will continue to make substantial change on behalf of all our partners. I am proud of how this company has evolved, and I’ve never been prouder to be your partner.

“What we do is more important than what we say, or what we say we believe.” -Gloria Jean Watkins, American author, professor, feminist, and social activist

A More Inclusive Starbucks - Starbucks Stories

In a letter to U.S. partners, chief global inclusion and diversity officer Dennis Brockman reflects on Starbucks ongoing journey to be a more inclusive, welcoming third place.

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A More Inclusive Starbucks

In a letter to US partners (employees) global chief inclusion and diversity officer Dennis Brockman shares an invitation to pause, reflect, and to explore the history of Juneteenth.

The events of the last year have produced a broader awakening across this country and around the globe in the fight for racial and social equity. This is true at Starbucks, too. While this is not a new journey for us, we have spent the last year looking deeper, listening more intentionally, and reflecting on our responsibility to each other – to care for one another, to strengthen our communities and to ensure diverse voices are heard at all levels of the company.

Last June, we paused to examine how we were living up to Starbucks Mission and Values. We did this by listening to our Partner Networks and by embracing guidance from our Black Partner Network. Together, we unequivocally stood in solidarity with our Black partners to celebrate freedom, condemn oppression and recognize Juneteenth as an annual U.S. company holiday. This was one of many actions we’ve taken to promote an environment where our partners see and feel real progress. At Starbucks, Our Mission and Values aren’t just words, they are at the core of who we are.

Juneteenth is a day celebrated by many Black and African Americans as our Independence Day. The history of this day always gives me pause. On June 19, 1865 enslaved African Americans in Galveston, Texas were told by Union soldiers that the Civil War had ended, and they were free. This came almost two and half years after President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation ending legal slavery. I think about this delay – how my people remained enslaved years after they were legally free, about the systems in place to keep them enslaved, and about the systems still in place today that keep people of color from reaching our full potential. Juneteenth is a day of celebration, but it also a day to reflect on and learn about its history. It is a day that inspires me to keep doing the work to unravel these systems so we can feel truly seen, heard and valued.

This year marks the 156th anniversary of Juneteenth, and I invite you to pause, reflect, and to explore the history of Juneteenth through the stories and resources shared on <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/stories/2021/celebrating-juneteenth-progress-made-isnt-progress-secured/">Starbucks Stories</a>. I also invite you to share the spirit of Juneteenth in your homes by spending the day with family and friends in community around shared food and traditions.

We acknowledge that there is much to be done at Starbucks and around the world to help ensure every individual, regardless of their background, can succeed and thrive. As we work to advance racial and social equity within our company, our stores, and our communities, we remain committed to being transparent, intentional and to holding ourselves accountable.

I know our partners and communities have been through a lot, and I want to thank each of you for your hard work and trust. The journey we are on is a marathon and not a sprint, and I value days like Juneteenth that inspire me to pause and reflect not only on the past, but on the road ahead.

I wish you all a happy and healthy Juneteenth!

Freedom is not a state; it is an act. It is not some enchanted garden perched high on a distant plateau where we can finally sit down and rest. Freedom is the continuous action we all must take, and each generation must do its part to create an even more fair, more just society."&nbsp; – John Lewis

In a letter to US partners, global chief inclusion and diversity officer shares an invitation to pause, reflect, and to explore the history of Juneteenth.

Message from Dennis Brockman: What Juneteenth Means to Me

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In a letter to partners, ceo Kevin Johnson announced the appointment of Dennis Brockman as the company’s global chief inclusion and diversity officer. Brockman, who is a 13-year partner, will be responsible for the company’s global I&amp;D strategy, building a culture of I&amp;D leadership excellence and accountability.

As you know, we have been engaged in a daily dialogue over issues of race, inclusion, equity, and opportunity.&nbsp; And on any given day we are reminded of the considerable work we have yet to do as a society—and as a company— in the fight for inclusion and equality. Today, for example, we’re witnessing increasing numbers of racist acts and deplorable, heart-breaking hate against the Asian American Pacific Islander community. This weekend we will remember the anniversary of the assaults on civil rights marchers on the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Alabama, and reflect upon how far we’ve come and how little has changed in 56 years.

For all of us at Starbucks, each day we must reaffirm our responsibility to one another — to care for each other, to strengthen our communities, and to ensure diverse perspectives are represented at the company’s highest levels. We have committed to do so with intention, with transparency, and with accountability.

Against that backdrop, and in line with our enduring commitment to inclusion and diversity, it is my great pleasure to share with you that Dennis Brockman&nbsp;has accepted the responsibility as Starbucks chief inclusion &amp; diversity officer, along with the well-earned&nbsp;promotion to senior vice president.

So many of you know Dennis and understand why he is the right person for this role and our efforts to meet these historic challenges. He’s been a partner, a leader, and a mentor on the retail side of our business for 13 years, most recently as the Midwest regional vice president. He has an unparalleled understanding of Starbucks culture, a deep connection to our partners, and a vision for advancing inclusion, diversity, and equity throughout our company at all levels.&nbsp; Dennis took on the chief inclusion and diversity officer role on an interim basis in December of last year, and in that time Angela Lis and I have had the great opportunity to get even closer to the I&amp;D team and assess the leadership structure and talent we need to deliver on our <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/stories/2020/our-commitment-to-inclusion-diversity-and-equity-at-starbucks/">critical commitments and goals</a>.

Dennis will continue to report to me and serve on the U.S. leadership team and will be responsible for continuing our overall global I&amp;D strategy, building a culture of I&amp;D leadership excellence and accountability, developing I&amp;D ambassadors throughout the organization globally, fostering mentorship and other professional development, and amplifying and operationalizing I&amp;D within the U.S. business.

Dennis, this promotion is so well deserved. Know that partners around the world are cheering you on as we continue our journey forward together to be a more inclusive, diverse and equitable company. I look forward to strengthening our partnership.

Congratulations as well to Michael Hines for his well-deserved promotion to vice president, Inclusion &amp; Diversity.&nbsp; Michael joined the I&amp;D team during a critical time this past August and quickly rose to great challenges, bringing over 25 years of progressive, strategic and operational HR experience and deep subject matter expertise in I&amp;D compliance and analytics at a time during which we were making bold commitments for our future at Starbucks. In his new role, Michael will be responsible for leading the new I&amp;D centers of excellence around compliance, analytics, policy, learning and development intended to further strengthen I&amp;D throughout Starbucks.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Please help me in congratulating Dennis and Michael on their promotions and supporting them in the work ahead.&nbsp; We look forward to sharing more with you soon on the progress we are making, the ongoing partner I&amp;D and Partner Network programming, as well as our annual Civil Rights Assessment that will be published later this month.

Reflecting on Rep. John Lewis and other young civil rights advocates walking across that bridge in Alabama, I am reminded of his profound wisdom, <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13622279-across-that-bridge">and words</a>: “Take a long, hard look down the road you will have to travel once you have made a commitment to work for change. Know that this transformation will not happen right away. Change often takes time. It rarely happens all at once…”

Let love be our guide. That is our journey.&nbsp; And our only way forward is together.

Starbucks Appoints Dennis Brockman as Global Chief Inclusion and Diversity Officer - Starbucks Stories

Starbucks Appoints Dennis Brockman as Global Chief Inclusion and Diversity Officer

In a letter to partners, ceo Kevin Johnson announced the appointment of Dennis Brockman as the company’s chief inclusion and diversity officer.

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Dennis Brockman

Dennis Brockman - Starbucks Stories

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