In a letter to U.S. partners, Starbucks ceo Kevin Johnson reflects on the jury verdict in the murder trial of ex-police officer Derek Chauvin and Starbucks recommitment to the hard work ahead.

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The murder of George Floyd is tragic, painful and heartbreaking. Today’s jury verdict in the murder trial of ex-police officer Derek Chauvin will not soothe the intense grief, fatigue and frustration so many of our Black and African American partners are feeling. Let me say clearly to you: We see you. We hear you. And you are not alone. Your Starbucks family hurts with you.

And while today’s verdict is a step forward in accountability, until we confront the ugly realities and root causes of what led us to this day, our people, our nation, will always fall short of their full potential. We know there is so much more work to do to address systemic racism in our society and create the change needed to ensure everyone has an equal chance to succeed and thrive.

This is an important time for us to be here for one another, to share perspectives, to listen to each other, and to commit ourselves to a more equitable tomorrow. We cannot sit on the sidelines as individuals nor as a company.

At Starbucks, we will continue to advance our work by focusing on greater inclusion, diversity and equity as partners, investing in the communities we serve, and partnering with community organizations to help ensure Starbucks remains a welcoming place for all.

We’re going to call a Partner Open Forum this week. We want to create space to honor the life of and acknowledge the injustice to George Floyd. An injustice too familiar to too many. We will be here for our partners in the Twin Cities and for each and every BIPOC Starbucks partner as we try to understand the systemic wrongs that lead to inequality.

We are 400,000 partners in 33,000 communities. We have the power to make a positive difference.

Today's verdict and recommitting to the hard work ahead - Starbucks Stories

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Today&#8217;s verdict and recommitting to the hard work ahead

In a letter to U.S. partners, Starbucks ceo Kevin Johnson reflects on the jury verdict in the murder trial of ex-police officer Derek Chauvin and Starbucks recommitment to the hard work ahead.

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Today's verdict and recommitting to the hard work ahead

https://stories.starbucks.com/press/2021/todays-verdict-and-recommitting-to-the-hard-work-ahead/

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Today’s verdict and recommitting to the hard work ahead

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SEATTLE -- Today Starbucks (NASDAQ: SBUX) announced new initiatives as part of its long-standing commitment to use its scale and platform to positively impact the communities it serves. The company will invest $100 million to launch the Starbucks Community Resilience Fund focused on supporting small businesses and community development projects in Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) neighborhoods. In addition, Starbucks is partnering with the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC) to share the museum’s educational resources and digital volunteer opportunities.

“Starbucks has always been a company focused on caring for our partners, creating experiences for our customers and playing a positive role in our communities and throughout society,” said Kevin Johnson, Starbucks president and ceo. “We are excited to make this investment as it aligns with our Mission and Values and supports our aspiration to advance equity and opportunity in the communities we serve.”

Advancing racial equity and environmental resilience

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By 2025, the Starbucks Community Resilience Fund will invest $100 million to advance racial equity and environmental resilience by supporting small business growth and community development projects in neighborhoods with historically limited access to capital. The investments will initially focus on 12 U.S. metropolitan areas and their surrounding regions: Atlanta, Detroit, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, Minneapolis, New Orleans, New York City, Philadelphia, San Francisco Bay Area, Seattle and Washington D.C.

In partnership with community leaders, Community Development Finance Institutions (CDFIs) and other impact-focused financial institutions, the Fund will help provide access to capital intended to support small businesses and neighborhood projects, including those addressing the inequitable impacts of climate change.

As part of the initiative, Starbucks will work with partners like the Opportunity Finance Network to allocate funds to local CDFIs that will provide borrowers with access to capital, ongoing mentorship and technical assistance.

“Starbucks is investing in the survival of small business by working with CDFIs in key cities across America. CDFIs deliver affordable credit as well as training on disaster recovery and rebuilding – and that is exactly what small businesses need right now to withstand ongoing economic and climate changes,” said OFN President and CEO, Lisa Mensah. “With partners like Starbucks and CDFIs, these small businesses will have a fighting chance to recover, rebuild, hire workers and serve their local economy.”

The effort expands on Starbucks 2019 commitment to <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/press/2019/starbucks-invests-10-million-in-small-business-in-chicago/">invest $10 million in four Chicago-based CDFIs</a>: Accion Chicago, Chicago Community Loan Fund (CCLF), IFF and Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC).

"As Chicago continues down the road to recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, Starbucks commitment to bettering the cities and communities they serve has been incredibly invaluable," said Chicago Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot. "Thanks to their investment, Chicago's CDFIs, such as Accion, CCLF and more, will be able to both continue the necessary work of increasing access to funding for our small businesses – especially those located in neighborhoods struggling with historic disinvestment – and support our ongoing, citywide efforts to provide COVID relief grants to our business community. I remain immensely grateful to Starbucks for their dedication to uplifting our neighborhoods – work that aligns with our city's INVEST South/West initiative."

<a href="https://www.greenerachicago.com">Green Era Sustainability</a> was among the first organizations to receive loans from CDFIs that Starbucks invested in last year. Green Era has been raising funds to construct a sustainable campus in the Auburn Gresham neighborhood of Chicago. The campus will include a 2-acre clean energy generation facility, an urban farm, green houses, an outdoor fresh produce market, a visitor center with classrooms for community activities and a STEM education center. Among other positive impacts to the community, Green Era is expected to create 247 construction jobs and 25 permanent jobs.

“Starbucks investment means we’ve been able to drive more capital to small businesses and nonprofits that are innovating and providing critical services in local communities,” says Matthew Roth, IFF President of Core Business Solutions, who leads the agency’s CDFI wing. “The pandemic has highlighted how important CDFIs are in the financial ecosystem, ensuring capital reaches non-profits and small businesses serving low-income communities that are traditionally left out of mainstream finance.”

CDFIs often collaborate with multiple lenders to make large projects like Green Era’s sustainable campus possible. Two of Starbucks investees – IFF and CCLF – each made loans to Green Era to support the project, in addition to other impact-focused financial institutions. Additional financing for the project also came from Partners for the Common Good and Reinvestment Fund as well as the local impact investor Benefit Chicago.

“Given the severe impact of the pandemic on the long-disinvested communities CCLF serves, our lending is more important than ever to help these communities grow and thrive,” said Bob Tucker, Chief Operating Officer for the Chicago Community Loan Fund. “Our customers have urgent needs, and Starbucks investment in CCLF will help tremendously in bringing them the resources they need.”

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Honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy

As part of Starbucks long-standing heritage of honoring Dr. Martin Luther King’s legacy of service, the company announced a collaboration with NMAAHC to share the museum’s digital educational resources and opportunities through Starbucks digital platforms. &nbsp;

As part of the collaboration, Starbucks will invite partners and customers to participate in the Freedmen’s Bureau Transcription Project. Through the project, volunteers can help digitally transcribe handwritten records containing information from newly emancipated Black people during the Reconstruction period. The initiative helps African Americans discover their ancestors and historians better understand the years following the Civil War. These records will be used later in a museum exhibition planned for 2021 on the Reconstruction Era.

Starbucks partners with National Museum of African American History and Culture

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The partnership builds on the company’s ongoing <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/stories/2020/starbucks-announces-new-commitments-to-advance-racial-and-social-equity/">commitment to promote racial and social equity</a> on behalf of its partners and communities it serves.

Starbucks customers can access the <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/stories/2021/starbucks-partners-with-national-museum-of-african-american-history-and-culture/">museum’s content</a> through the Starbucks App and Starbucks Stories beginning January 12 through February.

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Since 1971, Starbucks Coffee Company has been committed to ethically sourcing and roasting high-quality&nbsp;arabica&nbsp;coffee. Today, with more than 32,000 stores around the globe, the company is the premier roaster and retailer of specialty coffee in the world. Through our unwavering commitment to excellence and our guiding principles, we bring the unique&nbsp;Starbucks Experience&nbsp;to life for every customer through every cup. To share in the experience, please visit us in our stores or online at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.starbucks.com">www.starbucks.com</a>.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements contained in this press release are “forward-looking” statements within the meaning of the applicable securities laws and regulations. Generally, these statements can be identified by the use of words such as “continue,” “could,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “plan,” “should,” “will,” “would,” and similar expressions intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words. These statements include statements relating to: the anticipated timing, scope and effects of our initiatives and our continued investment plans. These forward-looking statements do not represent historical data, are based on currently available operating, financial and competitive information and are subject to a number of significant risks and uncertainties. Actual future results and trends may differ materially depending on a variety of factors, including, but not limited to the risks detailed in the company filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the “Risk Factors” sections of Starbucks Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 27, 2020. The company assumes no obligation to update any of these forward-looking statements.

The company will invest $100 million to launch the Starbucks Community Resilience Fund focused on supporting small businesses and community development.

Starbucks expands initiatives to advance opportunity, equity and inclusion

Starbucks expands initiatives to advance opportunity, equity and inclusion in the communities it serves

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The company will invest $100 million to launch the Starbucks Community Resilience Fund focused on supporting small businesses and community development projects.

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We are on a journey to advance racial and social equity for our partners (employees), our community and our society. And we have made progress. Almost 50 years ago, we set out to be a different kind of company—with a third place community where everyone is welcome and respected at its core. But now, today, in this moment, we know there is much more to do. Bold actions that we must take as our journey continues, to act with intention, transparency and accountability.&nbsp;

It is a journey grounded in our mission to inspire and nurture the human spirit.&nbsp;

It is our responsibility, and it is our commitment.

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Advancing Starbucks Culture of Inclusion, Diversity, and Equity

Our work to advance inclusion, diversity and equity at Starbucks has already led to important policies, programs and initiatives. We are building on the work in our prior Civil Rights Assessments conducted by Covington &amp; Burling, including the recommendation to hire a Chief Inclusion &amp; Diversity Officer, Zing Shaw, vp chief inclusion &amp; diversity officer, who joined Starbucks in December 2019 to help establish a strategic vision for the path ahead for Starbucks.&nbsp;To create an even more diverse and equitable workplace means there is still more to be done, and we are committed to taking further actions toward tangible and lasting change.

We will be intentional in cultivating a culture of inclusion, with a focus on partner retention and development.

We will be transparent in our approach to Inclusion and Diversity goal setting and progress.&nbsp;&nbsp;

We will hold ourselves accountable at the highest levels of the organization.

Supporting community resilience

When we talk about using Starbucks “scale for good,” we mean that every business has the potential to promote equity in the community it serves; and since Starbucks serves more than 30,000 communities, we have the potential—and yes, responsibility—to promote equity on a larger scale than some other businesses.

We will take our next steps in strengthening the communities we serve.&nbsp;

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We are on a journey to advance racial and social equity for our partners (employees), our community and our society. And we have made progress.

Our commitment to Inclusion, Diversity, and Equity at Starbucks

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Today Starbucks shared next steps it’s taking to advance racial and social equity as part of its ongoing journey to create a welcoming and inclusive Third Place.

In<a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/stories/2020/starbucks-role-and-responsibility-in-advancing-racial-and-social-equity/"> letter to partners</a>, ceo Kevin Johnson outlined new commitments the company will make to elevate inclusion, diversity, and equity on behalf of partners (employees) and the communities it serves – rooted in intentionality, transparency and accountability.&nbsp;

“As we discuss inclusion, diversity and equity, we discover time and again that these topics are foundational to our Starbucks Mission and Values,” Johnson said. “Of course, they are. The very concept of the Third Place embodies inclusion – creating a place of warmth and belonging, where everyone is welcome."

The full list of those commitments is available <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/stories/2020/our-commitment-to-inclusion-diversity-and-equity-at-starbucks/">here</a> with key highlights including:

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

Starbucks shared next steps it’s taking to advance racial and social equity as part of its ongoing journey to create a welcoming and inclusive Third Place.

Starbucks announces new commitments to advance racial and social equity

https://stories.starbucks.com/stories/2020/starbucks-announces-new-commitments-to-advance-racial-and-social-equity/

By now it has become an annual tradition, a symbol of the LGBTQ movement and a celebration of Pride. Today, Starbucks raised its Pride Flag high above its headquarters at the Starbucks Support Center, as it has <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/stories/2014/for-the-first-time-starbucks-raises-the-pride-flag-atop-its-headquarters/">each June since 2014</a>. At 19 by 38 feet, the rainbow banner is larger than the average Seattle apartment, and among the largest ever made to recognize lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer inclusion.

“I am so honored to be here today at the rising of our Pride Flag,” said <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/leadership/rossann-williams/">Rossann Williams</a>, who leads retail operations in more than 8,000 company-operated stores across the United States. “I'm so proud to work for a company where we are all seen and respected as individuals. This has been woven into the fabric of our culture for almost 50 years. That's who we are.”

Starbucks’ support for the LGBTQ community <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/stories/2019/starbucks-pride-a-long-legacy-of-lgbtq-inclusion/">goes back decades</a>, offering health benefits for same-sex domestic partners of part- and full-time employees since 1998. More than 10 years ago, Starbucks established Workplace Gender Transition Guidelines to support transgender partners and added coverage of gender reassignment surgery to the company’s health benefits in 2013, and <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/stories/2018/they-are-lifesaving-starbucks-offers-expanded-benefits-for-trans-people/">expanded benefits in 2018</a>. The company has also spoken out in <a href="https://news.starbucks.com/news/starbucks-applauds-supreme-courts-ruling-on-marriage-equality">support of marriage equality</a>, helped create <a href="https://news.starbucks.com/news/safe-place-program-at-starbucks">safe spaces</a> for victims of anti-LGBTQ-related crimes and harassment, and <a href="https://news.starbucks.com/views/starbucks-commitment-to-inclusion">urged equal treatment for the LGBTQ community.</a>

Starbucks partners have been powerful advocates for the LGBTQ community both inside and outside the company from the beginning. The <a href="https://www.facebook.com/StarbucksPride/">Starbucks Pride Alliance Network</a>, which held its first informal meeting in 1996, now includes thousands of partners in chapters around the world.

Williams underscored the company’s commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion as a core part of its mission and values. “There’s never been a more important time for all of us to stand together however we self-identify. We’re all in this together,” she said.

<a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/stories/2019/love-meet-the-designer-of-the-starbucks-pride-cup-people-are-buzzing-about/">LOVE: Meet the designer of the Starbucks Pride cup people are buzzing about </a>

Cloudy with a chance of rainbows: Pride Flag hoisted at Starbucks HQ - Starbucks Stories

Cloudy with a chance of rainbows: Pride Flag hoisted at Starbucks HQ

Starbucks raised its Pride Flag high above its headquarters at the Starbucks Support Center, as it has each June since 2014 as a symbol of the LGBTQ movement and a celebration of Pride.

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Every day at Starbucks we set out to be a different kind of company that champions Our Mission and Values rooted in providing a third place that is welcoming to everyone. To live out this principle, we strive to create opportunity for all by elevating equity, diversity and inclusion in everything we do – to benefit our partners, our customers and the communities we serve. Through ongoing community partnerships, feedback from our partners and customers, and counsel from civil rights leaders, Starbucks will continue our journey to be a place where everyone is welcome. 

Here are some of our latest updates on these efforts since we released the <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/press/2019/starbucks-overview-of-the-covington-assessment-on-civil-rights-equity-diversity-and-inclusion/">Civil Rights Assessment</a> in January 2019:

We are committed to advancing this work as we aspire to live our Mission and Values and create an even more inclusive, diverse and equitable company where everyone is welcome.

To learn more, visit: <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/stories/equity-inclusion/">https://stories.starbucks.com/stories/equity-inclusion/</a>

At Starbucks we set out to be a different kind of company and provide a welcoming third place for everyone. Here are the latest updates on our efforts.

An update on Starbucks ongoing diversity, equity and inclusion efforts - Starbucks Stories

An update on Starbucks ongoing diversity, equity and inclusion efforts

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