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Each Starbucks store is the heart of a neighborhood, and we aspire to make each one a welcoming and inclusive third place. From our early decision to offer healthcare to part-time workers to our commitment to support diverse hiring and economic development through our community store initiative — we have been dedicated to creating not just opportunity, but equal opportunity. Through our community partnerships, feedback from our partners and customers, and counsel from civil rights and community leaders, Starbucks will continue our journey to be a place where everyone is welcome. Here are some of our milestones along the way:

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Our Mission: "To inspire and nurture the human spirit — one person, one cup and one neighborhood at a time."

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To show our support for diversity in college admissions and giving students of color an equal chance to access higher education, Starbucks joined other businesses and organizations to file an <a href="https://www.naacpldf.org/wp-content/uploads/Brief-for-Major-American-Business-Enterprises-Supporting-Respondents-FINAL.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">amicus brief</a> to the Supreme Court supporting universities’ flexibility to consider race in admissions to promote student body diversity.

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Starbucks graduates first cohort of partners in the inaugural mentorship program.

New large-print and Braille menus are made available in all stores in the U.S. and Canada. Starbucks worked with the National Braille Press to create the new menus to make stores more accessible for blind and low-vision customers.

October 2020

Starbucks shares <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/stories/2020/our-commitment-to-inclusion-diversity-and-equity-at-starbucks/">next steps it’s taking to&nbsp;advance racial and social equity </a>as part of&nbsp;its ongoing journey to create&nbsp;a welcoming and inclusive Third Place. These commitments include: &nbsp;

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

The Starbucks Foundation commits $1 million in Neighborhood Grants to promote racial equity and creating more inclusive and just communities. Nominated by Starbucks partners, and with input from civil rights leaders, these grants will support efforts in over 100 cities and towns across the United States.

Throughout its 49-year history, Starbucks partners have come together for one another in the aftermath of hateful incidents. As part of an ongoing commitment to create a sense of inclusion and belonging, Starbucks launches an internal series of courageous conversations addressing difficult topics and to help increase partners understanding of themselves and others.

On May 30, more than 2,000 partners and their families came together virtually to join a conversation about the murders of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery and Breonna Taylor and other racial injustices that have shaken the entire country. Throughout the dialogue partners shared stories, expressed emotions, and supported one another. As ceo Kevin Johnson <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/stories/2020/letter-from-ceo-courageous-conversations-in-the-wake-of-george-floyds-murder/">said in a letter</a> to partners: “While we may not have all the answers, we know the path forward requires these courageous conversations with one another. As I shared at the close of today’s meeting it is, in part, our promise to one another as partners to live our mission and values daily.”

Starbucks donates a combined $100,000 to the Human Rights Campaign and the National Center for Transgender Equality in honor of Pride Month to aid in their support for vulnerable members of the LGTBQ+ community due to the impacts of COVID-19.

Starbucks publishes the <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/press/2020/an-update-on-starbucks-civil-rights-assessment/">2019 assessment</a> on Civil Rights, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion conducted by Covington &amp; Burling LLP, under the leadership of the former Attorney General Eric Holder. The report, which reviews the company’s progress since the <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/uploads/2019/01/Covington-Report-to-Starbucks-Jan-23-2019.pdf">2018 report</a>, evaluates Starbucks ongoing efforts to promote equity, diversity and inclusion and how this supports the company’s Mission and Values.&nbsp;

Starbucks shares its median pay gaps by gender globally, and by gender and race in the US. In 2019 the median pay for women globally is 98.3% of the median for men. In the U.S., the median pay ratio is 100% for women and 100% for people of color.

TATA Starbucks Private Limited in India <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/press/2019/tata-starbucks-achieves-100-pay-equity/">achieves 100 percent pay equity</a>&nbsp;for women and&nbsp;men. Women now make up 29 percent of Starbucks’ workforce in India, a key gender diversity milestone toward the goal of 40 percent by 2022.&nbsp;

Starbucks opens the&nbsp;<a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/asia/stories/2019/career-opportunities-expand-in-malaysia-with-opening-of-new-starbucks-signing-store-in-penang/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Penang Signing Store in Malaysia</a>, creating career opportunities for Deaf and Hard of Hearing partners (employees) while also serving as a gathering spot for the area’s deaf community. This is the company’s fourth signing store, with two in Malaysia, one in Guangzhou, China, and one in Washington D.C.&nbsp;

The Starbucks Foundation awards $1.4 million in Opportunity for All grants, to help&nbsp;<a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/press/2019/the-starbucks-foundation-2019-opportunity-for-all-grants/">63 programs</a>&nbsp;across the U.S.&nbsp;create pathways to jobs and careers&nbsp;for students, young adults and other people facing barriers.

Starbucks announces&nbsp;<a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/stories/2019/investing-in-chicago-how-10m-starbucks-loan-helps-underserved-areas/">it will invest $10 million</a>&nbsp;to support entrepreneurs, small business owners and nonprofits in Chicago. The loan will be distributed in January by a network of mission-based lenders called community development financial institutions, which work to revitalize struggling neighborhoods on the city’s South and West sides.

Starbucks releases&nbsp;<a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/stories/2019/women-in-coffee-sirens-blend/">Siren’s Blend</a>, a new core coffee inspired and created by trailblazing women in the coffee industry.

Starbucks launches its <a href="https://tobewelcoming.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">“To Be Welcoming”</a>&nbsp;Curriculum, in partnership with Arizona State University. The free 15-course online class is designed to address bias and encourage more meaningful conversations around our shared human experience.

Starbucks opens its 14th <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/stories/2019/welcome-to-jonesboro-ga-home-of-newest-starbucks-community-store/">Community Store in Jonesboro, Ga.</a>, part of an initiative to support economic development in diverse, underserved areas of the country.

The company <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/stories/2019/meet-some-of-the-25000-veterans-and-military-spouses-starbucks-has-hired/">commits to hiring 5,000 veterans and military spouses annually</a>. Starbucks has hired more than 25,000 veterans and military spouses to date, more than doubling its initial promise to hire 10,000 by 2018.&nbsp;

Shonda Rhimes, the award-winning creator of hit TV shows Grey’s Anatomy and Scandal, shares the importance of storytelling in our culture. Starbucks invited Rhimes to be part of its <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/press/2019/update-on-starbucks-ongoing-diversity-equity-and-inclusion-efforts/">Third Place Development Series</a>, the company’s commitment to creating a more welcoming and inclusive experience for partners and customers.

Starbucks is recognized as a Best Place to Work for Disability Inclusion by scoring 100 on the <a href="http://disabilityin.org/DEIReport2019" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Disability Equality Index</a> (DEI).

Starbucks joined over 200 companies to file a joint <a href="https://assets2.hrc.org/files/assets/resources/Title-seven-business-amicus-brief.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">amicus brief</a> to the Supreme Court in support of LGBTQ rights. The landmark briefing argues that existing federal civil rights law should protect LGTBQ people from discrimination in contexts ranging from employment to housing, healthcare and education. To file the brief the company worked with prominent civil rights groups the Human Rights Campaign, Lambda Legal, Out &amp; Equal, Out Leadership, and Freedom for All Americans.

Starbucks also joined the Human Rights Campaign’s <a href="https://www.hrc.org/resources/business-coalition-for-equality" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Business Coalition</a> in support of the Equality Act, a bill that would protect LGBTQ people from discrimination in housing, the workplace, public accommodations, and other settings under federal law. The Equality Act has since passed in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Starbucks’ <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/press/2019/new-starbucks-in-new-orleans-focuses-on-community/">13th Community Store opens in New Orleans, La.</a>, creating more than 30 jobs in the area.

The Starbucks Foundation celebrates Pride Month by matching up to $250,000 in donations to Lady Gaga’s Born This Way Foundation. The money goes towards improving access to mental health resources for LGBTQ+ communities.

Starbucks introduces opportunity for new and current partners to self-identify with the company as LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer) similar to other identifications, such as disability, refugee, veteran and military spouse. The move was the result of efforts by the Pride Alliance partner network to create another way to build upon the company’s commitment to the inclusion and diversity of all partners. 

On Equal Pay Day, Starbucks and 25 other U.S. employers in the Employers for Pay Equity consortium <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/stories/2019/25-companies-join-starbucks-to-end-u-s-gender-pay-gap/">join to agree to a shared set of Pay Equity Principles</a> to help eliminate the gender pay gap.

China and Canada, two of Starbucks largest international markets, <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/stories/2019/pay-equity-around-the-globe/">achieve 100 percent gender pay equity</a> one year after Starbucks announced <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/stories/2018/equalpay/">100 percent pay equity in the United States</a>.

Following a recommendation in our <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/press/2019/starbucks-overview-of-the-covington-assessment-on-civil-rights-equity-diversity-and-inclusion/">Ci</a><a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/uploads/2019/01/Covington-Report-to-Starbucks-Jan-23-2019.pdf">vil Rights Assessment</a>, Starbucks published its principles on <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/press/2019/starbucks-principles-for-upholding-the-third-place-for-our-partners-our-customers-and-our-communities/">upholding the third place</a>. This public statement describes the key principles and responsibilities of making a welcoming space for all, including our zero-tolerance position on discrimination, that will continue to guide Starbucks as the company holds itself accountable to them.

Starbucks opens its 12th <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/stories/2018/at-new-starbucks-community-store-they-know-why-the-redbird-sings/">Community Store in Dallas</a>.

On Veterans Day, the company announces <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/stories/2018/meet-some-of-the-21000-veterans-and-military-spouses-starbucks-has-hired/">21,000 veterans and military spouses have been hired</a> since creating the military hiring commitment in 2013, and that&nbsp;<a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/stories/2019/military-spouse-partners-make-everywhere-home/">50 Military Family Stores</a>, which focus on honoring and hiring veterans and military spouses, have been dedicated around the nation.&nbsp; &nbsp;

The <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/stories/2018/eight-things-to-know-about-the-new-starbucks-signing-store/">first U.S. Starbucks signing store</a> opens in Washington, D.C., providing employment opportunities for Deaf and hard of hearing partners and led by partners fluent in American Sign Language.

<a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/stories/2018/hire-philly-opportunity-youth-fair/">Hire! Philly job and resource fair</a> creates career opportunities and provides career preparation resources for 1,700 Philadelphians. Starbucks serves on the Advisory Board of the Hire! Philly coalition – a group of employers from the Philadelphia region dedicated to creating workforce opportunities.

Starbucks announces a partnership with Arizona State University to develop an open-sourced curriculum to address forms of bias.

The company opens a <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/press/2018/starbucks-opens-community-store-in-birmingham/">Community Store in Birmingham, Ala.</a>, to support economic revitalization and diverse hiring.

The Starbucks Foundation announces&nbsp;<a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/press/2018/the-starbucks-foundations-2018-opportunity-for-all-partnerships/">Opportunity For All Grant recipients</a>, donating $1.3 million to 47 organizations across the country that focus on supporting underserved communities and youth.

Starbucks rolls out the first of a series of Third Place Development training modules designed for all partners that continues our commitment to address bias.

The company joins <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/press/2018/starbucks-joins-the-us-chamber-foundations-hiring-100000-military-spouses/">U.S. Chamber Foundation’s campaign</a> to hire 100,000 military spouses.

Starbucks announces the company’s health insurance plans cover not only gender reassignment surgery, which had been covered since 2012, but also a <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/stories/2018/they-are-lifesaving-starbucks-offers-expanded-benefits-for-trans-people/">host of other procedures for transgender partners in the U.S.</a> that were previously deemed cosmetic, and therefore not covered.

Starbucks broadens its health insurance options for transgender partners to not only include gender reassignment surgery (which had been covered since 2013), but also a host of procedures that were previously considered cosmetic.

Starbucks launches the Welcoming Refugees Alliance, partner network dedicated to welcoming and empowering refugee partners and allies, on World Refugee Day.

The company <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/stories/2018/closing-stores-opening-hearts-starbucks-partners-share-their-responses/">closes 8,000 stores</a> in the U.S. for company-wide implicit bias training and <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/stories/2018/curriculum-for-the-third-place-our-commitment-renewed/">makes the curriculum publicly available</a>.

Starbucks announces its new <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/press/2018/use-of-the-third-place-policy/">Use of the Third Place policy</a>, defining a customer as anyone who enters a Starbucks space regardless of whether they make a purchase.

The company connects with 2,600 young people at the <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/stories/2018/atlanta-opportunity-hiring-fair-2018/">Atlanta Job and Resource Fair</a>.

Rashon Nelson and Donte Robinson are arrested in a Starbucks Philadelphia store. Kevin Johnson, Starbucks chief executive officer, <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/press/2018/starbucks-ceo-reprehensible-outcome-in-philadelphia-incident/">calls the outcome “reprehensible”</a> and <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/press/2018/a-follow-up-message-from-starbucks-ceo-in-philadelphia/">publicly apologizes</a>, saying “This is not who we are.”

Starbucks announces <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/stories/2018/starbucks-pay-equity-for-partners/">100 percent pay equity</a> across race and gender for U.S. partners, sets global goal.

Starbucks opens <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/stories/2017/starbucks-to-open-first-store-in-bed-stuy-brooklyn/">Community Store in Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn.</a>

New Community Stores open in <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/press/2017/starbucks-to-open-in-southern-dallas-and-trenton-nj/">Dallas and Trenton, N.J.</a>, part of the company’s strategy to invest in underserved communities across the U.S.

A new&nbsp;<a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/press/2017/starbucks-supports-local-revitalization-and-youth-hiring-in-miami-gardens/">Community Store opens in Miami Gardens, Fla.,</a> to support local revitalization and youth hiring.

Starbucks participates in <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/stories/2017/second-chances-businesses-join-to-help-break-down-barriers-to-employment/">Opportunity Job and Resource Fair in Washington, D.C.</a>

The <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/stories/2017/community-is-the-focus-of-new-starbucks-in-white-center-wash/">White Center (Seattle) Community Store</a> opens.

Starbucks opens <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/stories/2017/mural-in-new-starbucks-draws-on-community-creates-opportunities/">Community Store in Long Beach, Calif.</a>

The company participates in <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/stories/2017/dallas-opportunity-fair/">Dallas Opportunity Job and Resource Fair.</a>

Starbucks Equity, Inclusion and Diversity Timeline - Starbucks Stories

Stories to inspire and nurture the human spirit

Starbucks Stories

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Starbucks Corporation

Starbucks Equity, Inclusion and Diversity Timeline

This timeline lists milestones in all the ways we have demonstrated our commitment to be welcoming over the years.

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https://stories.starbucks.com/press/2022/starbucks-equity-and-inclusion-timeline/

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Starbucks Equity and Inclusion Timeline

For more than three decades, Starbucks has been committed to building a culture where everyone is welcome. We stand as an ally to the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer community – affirming every&nbsp;way&nbsp;people may choose to identify. Here’s a look at the company’s LGBTQIA2+ support and advocacy.&nbsp;

Starbucks History of LGBTQIA2+ Inclusion

Advocating for Federal Recognition of Marriage Equality

In December 2022, the U.S. reached an important milestone when the Respect for Marriage Act was signed into law, reflecting broad support for same-sex and interracial marriages. Starbucks chief global public policy counsel Zulima Espinel shared Starbucks ongoing commitment to advance inclusion and equity for all in a <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/press/2022/message-from-zulima-advancing-protections-for-marriage-equality/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">letter to partners</a>.

In July, Starbucks joined more than 170 organizations and the <a href="https://www.hrc.org/press-releases/human-rights-campaign-mobilizes-more-than-170-businesses-over-20-000-supporters-in-support-of-respect-for-marriage-act-senate-vote" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Human Rights Campaign</a> in urging the U.S. Senate to pass the Respect for Marriage Act. As we continue to stand up for our partners and their families, this statement reaffirms our support for marriage equality and our long history of advancing inclusion and equity for all.

Awarding grants for nonprofits

Between June 2021 and May 2022, The Starbucks Foundation has provided more than 300 grants to non-profit organizations supporting LGBTQIA2+ communities, totaling more than $700,000. Many of these organizations were nominated by partners based on neighborhood partnerships they have developed in service of their local communities.

Supporting causes important to partners

Starbucks makes $50,000 donation to the <a href="https://transequality.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">National Center for Transgender Equality</a>, which advocates for policies that increase understanding and acceptance of transgender people.

Protecting the Rights of LGBTQIA2+ partners and communities&nbsp;&nbsp;

Starbucks joined over 170 companies and the Human Rights Campaign in an <a href="https://www.hrc.org/resources/business-statement-on-anti-lgbtq-state-legislation" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">advocacy</a> statement to address and oppose policy actions or legislation that discriminate against the LGBTQIA2+ community. The statement reiterates our position that every person deserves consistent protection against discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. &nbsp;

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Supporting vulnerable members of the LGBTQ+ community

Starbucks donates $50,000 to the <a href="https://www.lavenderrightsproject.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Lavender Rights Project</a> to support providing low-cost legal services for transgender and queer low-income people and other marginalized communities in Washington state and $50,000 to the <a href="https://transequality.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">National Center for Transgender Equality</a> to increase understanding and acceptance of trans people across the United States.&nbsp;

Dennis Brockman named chief inclusion &amp; diversity officer

Starbucks appoints the Dennis Brockman as chief inclusion and diversity officer, now reporting directly to the company’s chief executive officer. Brockman, a 13-year partner, is dedicated to ensuring inclusive perspectives are represented at the company’s highest levels.

Recognition for workplace equality

Starbucks receives a 100 percent score on the Human Rights Campaign Corporate Equality Index based on corporate policies and practices for LGBTQ equality for the 11th year.

Awarding grants for local LGBTQ+ nonprofits

The Starbucks Foundation awards 88 grants during the calendar year to nonprofit organizations supporting LGBTQ+ communities, totaling more than $150,000. Many of these organizations were nominated by partners based on neighborhood partnerships they have developed in service of their local communities.

Donates a combined $100,000 to the Human Rights Campaign and the National Center for Transgender Equality in honor of Pride Month to aid in their support for vulnerable members of the LGBTQ+ community due to the impacts of COVID-19. Awarding grants for local LGBTQ+ nonprofits

The Starbucks Foundation announces it has awarded 100 grants to nonprofit organizations supporting LGBTQ+ communities, totaling more than $300,000. Many of these organizations were nominated by partners based on neighborhood partnerships they have developed in service of their local communities.

Starbucks receives a 100 percent score on the <a href="https://assets2.hrc.org/files/assets/resources/CEI-2020.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Human Rights Campaign Corporate Equality Index</a> based on corporate policies and practices for LGBTQ+ equality for the tenth year.

#whatsyourname campaign

Starbucks UK launches <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/emea/stories/2020/whatsyourname/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">#whatsyourname campaign</a> to celebrate the significant act for some transgender and gender diverse people as they use their new name in public. As part of this campaign, £100,000 was raised for the charity&nbsp;<a href="https://mermaidsuk.org.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mermaids</a>&nbsp;to support a helpline for young trans people and their families. <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/emea/stories/2020/whatsyourname/"> </a>

Amending names on transgender partners’ birth certificates&nbsp;

In support of Brazil’s National Trans Day of Visibility on January 29, Starbucks in Brazil, launched the <a href="https://historias.starbucks.com/en-es/press/2022/starbucks-launches-3rd-edition-of-i-am-project-on-brazils-national-trans-day-of-visibility/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">“I Am” (“Eu Sou”) annual project</a> to offer free legal support for transgender partners seeking to amend their names and genders on their birth certificates. With permission from participants, the emotional journey was <a href="https://nam12.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DPw-WAnAgPQI&amp;data=04%7C01%7CRafael.Franco%40edelman.com%7C3714460c79754ef9f21908d9e76169ef%7Cb824bfb3918e43c2bb1cdcc1ba40a82b%7C0%7C0%7C637795227840437731%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000&amp;sdata=mqLd2es5xg2hJQ%2FXEjSEObrjPAknrKkIZjClBNYHkv0%3D&amp;reserved=0" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">documented</a> and the video won the Grand Prix at the 2021 Cannes Lions Festival and an Effie Award.&nbsp;

Building a culture of inclusion and diversity

Starbucks appoints the company’s first chief inclusion and diversity officer, responsible for the company’s global inclusion and diversity strategy.

Helping partners expand their families

Expands <a href="https://www.starbucks.com/careers/working-at-starbucks/benefits-and-perks">fertility benefits beyond adoption expenses</a> in an effort to assist partners whose needs may not be met by their health care insurance company, such as same-gender couples looking to become parents or individuals seeking fertility services. The Family Expansion Reimbursement Program covers up to $10,000 for adoption, surrogacy or intrauterine insemination, up to a lifetime maximum of $30,000. The company also increases lifetime maximums for fertility benefits under all Starbucks medical plans to $25,000 for fertility services and $10,000 for prescription drugs.

In collaboration with Arizona State University, Starbucks releases its <a href="https://tobewelcoming.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">To Be Welcoming</a> curriculum with 15 free courses available to the public online designed to address bias through understanding the human experience, including the intersectional courses <a href="https://courses-sga.starbucksglobalacademy.com/courses/course-v1:ASU+TBW800+2019/about" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Welcoming Dialogue on Sexuality Bias</a> and <a href="https://courses-sga.starbucksglobalacademy.com/courses/course-v1:ASU+TBW600+2019/about" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Welcoming Dialogue on Gender Bias</a>.

Teaming up with Born This Way Foundation

Starbucks and Lady Gaga’s Born This Way Foundation come together to help make the world a more compassionate and welcoming place for the LGBTQ community. During Pride Month (June 1-30), The Starbucks Foundation is matching <a href="http://bornthisway.foundation/starbucks" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">donations to Born This Way</a>, up to $250,000, to make a kinder, braver world.

New and current partners can now choose to self-identify with the company as LGBTQ – similar to other identifications, such as disability, refugee, veteran and military spouse. The option was the result of efforts by the Pride Alliance partner network to create another way to build upon the company’s commitment to the inclusion and diversity of all partners. 

Advocating for Civil Rights Protection

Two decades after Starbucks partners marched in its first Pride Parade in Seattle, hundreds of Starbucks Pride Alliance partners, friends and family join Pride events in <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/emea/stories/2018/hundreds-of-starbucks-partners-friends-and-family-join-the-pride-in-london/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">London</a> (above) and around the world.

Expanded benefits for transgender partners

Starbucks <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/stories/2018/they-are-lifesaving-starbucks-offers-expanded-benefits-for-trans-people/">broadens its health insurance options for transgender partners</a> to not only include gender reassignment surgery (which had been covered since 2013), but also a host of procedures that were previously considered cosmetic, such as breast reduction or augmentation surgery, facial feminization, hair transplants and more. “Starbucks is taking a stand and standing up for trans people and saying that our procedures aren’t just cosmetic – they are lifesaving. They’re affirming,” said Ron Crawford, vice president of benefits at Starbucks.

Supporting local LGBTQ+ communities in Brazil&nbsp;

Starting in 2018, Starbucks in Brazil has worked with local advocacy groups, such as Casa 1 (Sao Paulo) and Grupo Arco-Iris (Rio de Janeiro), among others, to support LGBTQ+ inclusion efforts through the donation of Starbucks product sales such as the Pride Frappuccino® and t-shirts, to help those in vulnerable situations due to their sexual orientation.&nbsp;

The&nbsp;Starbucks Foundation&nbsp;contributes <a href="https://news.starbucks.com/news/a-message-from-starbucks-regarding-the-tragedy-in-orlando">$50,000 to the&nbsp;OneOrlando Fund</a> to help people and families impacted by the Pulse Nightclub shooting in Orlando, Fla.

Calling for equal treatment

Starbucks joins with more than 200 other business leaders to urge equal treatment for the LGBTQ community. Lucy Helm, then general counsel and now chief partner officer, shares a letter to partners underscoring&nbsp;<a href="https://news.starbucks.com/views/starbucks-commitment-to-inclusion">Starbucks commitment to inclusion</a>. “From our very earliest days, we have strived to create a company and culture that treats everyone – partners and customers alike – with respect and dignity,” Helm wrote. “We will continue to champion these values and to stand for our partners, our customers and our communities.”

Starbucks earns 100 out of 100 for the first time on the 2015 Corporate Equality Index (CEI), an initiative administered by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation on corporate policies and practices as <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/press/2017/human-rights-campaign-recognizes-starbucks-as-top-employer/">a top employer for LGBTQ workplace equality</a>.

In order to help partners in self-identification, Starbucks updates its technology systems to ensure that documentation in stores reflect a partner’s “known as” name or nickname that is consistent with their gender identity or expression. This is an especially meaningful move for transgender partners, who now see their preferred name each time they log in for a shift. 

Seattle Police Department<a href="https://news.starbucks.com/news/safe-place-program-at-starbucks">&nbsp;Safe Place program</a>&nbsp;rolls out to Starbucks stores in Seattle, with special designation as secure places for victims of anti-LGBTQ-related crimes and harassment. More than 2,000 store partners receive SPD Safe Place training and window clings identify the 100 participating company-owned stores in the greater Seattle area.

Marriage equality becomes the law of the land in the United States thanks to the <a href="https://news.starbucks.com/news/starbucks-applauds-supreme-courts-ruling-on-marriage-equality">U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling</a>. Earlier in the year, Starbucks had signed on to The People’s Brief in favor of the decision.

Starbucks&nbsp;<a href="https://news.starbucks.com/news/for-the-first-time-starbucks-raises-the-pride-flag-atop-its-headquarters">flies the Pride flag atop its Seattle headquarters</a>&nbsp;for the first time. “Given our public stance on diversity and inclusion of all people, particularly on this issue, it makes sense to raise the flag in celebration,” said Lucy Helm, then-general counsel who is now chief partner officer for Starbucks. “Being open, inclusive and forward-thinking is at the core of what Starbucks is about.”

Starbucks chairman and chief executive officer Howard Schultz makes a vocal statement on diversity and equality during a spontaneous exchange at the 2013 Starbucks Annual Meeting of Shareholders. In response to a stockholder who voiced his view that the company had lost customers because of its support for marriage equality, Schultz said. “Not every decision is an economic decision. The lens in which we are making that decision is through the lens of our people.”

Expanding transgender partner support

Starbucks&nbsp;<a href="https://news.starbucks.com/news/transgender-partners-share-stories-of-unconditional-acceptance-at-starbucks">supports transgender partners</a>&nbsp;by adding coverage of gender reassignment surgery to the company’s health benefits.

Promoting marriage equality

Starbucks files an amicus brief in the U.S. Supreme Court case challenging the Defense of Marriage Act. The year before, the company had joined with other Pacific Northwest employers in supporting marriage equality legislation in Washington state.

Starbucks <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/stories/2008/starbucks-joins-redtm-to-help-save-lives-in-africa/">joins (RED)™</a> to help invest in AIDS programs in Africa through the Global Fund.

Starbucks Pride partner affinity group officially becomes the Starbucks Pride Alliance Network.

Starbucks issues Workplace Gender Transition Guidelines to support partners who are transgender or considering transitioning to promote understanding of fair and equitable treatment of transgender and gender-diverse partners.

Starbucks includes a quote from author Armistead Maupin on its cups as part of its “The Way I See It” series, a collection of thoughts and expressions printed on the back of Starbucks cups to inspire conversation. 

The <a href="https://www.hrc.org/campaigns/corporate-equality-index" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Human Rights Campaign’s first Corporate Equality Index</a> includes Starbucks in its national benchmarking tool on LGBTQ corporate policies and practices with a score of 86. &nbsp;

LGBTQ partners meet informally at Seattle area bars which eventually becomes&nbsp;Starbucks LGBTQ partner affinity group. The group goes on to become the Starbucks Pride Partner Network and grows to include thousands of partners around the world. 

Timeline: Starbucks history of LGBTQIA2+ inclusion - Starbucks Stories

Timeline: Starbucks history of LGBTQIA2+ inclusion

For more than three decades, Starbucks has been committed to building a culture where all are welcome, standing as an ally stood as an ally to the LGBTQ+ community.

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Timeline: Starbucks history of LGBTQ inclusion

https://stories.starbucks.com/stories/2022/starbucks-pride-a-long-legacy-of-lgbtq-inclusion/

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From our earliest days, diversity and inclusion have been at the heart of how we do business. It is reflected in <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/stories/2015/starbucks-mission-and-values/">Our Mission and Values</a>, which is dedicated to creating a culture of belonging where everyone is welcome. We are working closely with community leaders, civil rights leaders, organizations that promote racial equity and our partners to uphold our commitment to make a positive contribution to our communities.

Here is a review of key milestones marking the company’s commitment to racial justice and social equity.

Starbucks <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/press/2022/starbucks-broadens-efforts-to-advance-racial-and-social-equity-on-behalf-of-partners-and-communities/">announces launch of a leadership accelerator program</a> beginning with BIPOC partners, focused on empowering partner capacity for self-promotion, advocacy and career navigation.

Starbucks sets goals to increase annual spend with diverse suppliers to $1.5B by 2030.

Starbucks <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/press/2022/starbucks-selects-seven-local-lenders-for-first-round-of-community-resilience-fund/">announces it will issue $21 million</a> to seven community development financial institutions (CDFIs) as part of its Community Resilience Fund.

The Starbucks Foundation shares impact results from its more than $5 million investment in eight <a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://stories.starbucks.com/press/2021/the-starbucks-foundation-announces-nonprofit-recipients-of-grants-to-support-bipoc-youth/" target="_blank">nonprofits supporting BIPOC youth</a>, reported to support more than 100,000 youth across the country.

<a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/stories/2021/starbucks-grants-support-equitable-access-to-food/">Starbucks donates $1.7 million to Feeding America</a> to support equitable food access grants, designed to help food banks provide nutritious food to households with BIPOC individuals residing in communities experiencing high rates of food insecurity.

March 2021

Publishes third civil rights assessment

Starbucks publishes its third Civil Rights Assessment conducted by Covington &amp; Burling LLP under the leadership of former U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder, Jr. The report is an objective evaluation that 1) provides a factual and honest review of the company’s journey in inclusion, diversity and equity and 2) helps track progress over time to drive truly lasting change. Read the report <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/uploads/2021/03/Starbucks-2021-Civil-Rights-Assessment.pdf">here</a>.

Achieves 100% pay equity

Starbucks <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/stories/2021/starbucks-celebrates-its-50th-anniversary-and-looks-toward-a-future-of-endless-possibility/">shared</a> that last year it once again achieved and maintained 100% pay equity by race and gender for similar roles 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 <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/press/2020/how-starbucks-is-addressing-the-pay-gap/#:~:text=Starbucks%20is%20committed%20to%20100,equity%20for%20Starbucks%20partners%20globally.">here</a>.

Invests in BIPOC businesses and communities

Starbucks announces plan to invest $100 million to create the <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/press/2021/starbucks-expands-initiatives-to-advance-opportunity-equity-and-inclusion-in-the-communities-it-serves/">Starbucks Community Resilience Fund</a> focused on advancing racial equity and environmental resilience by supporting small business growth and community development projects in BIPOC neighborhoods.

Partners with Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture

In honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy, Starbucks <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/stories/2021/starbucks-partners-with-national-museum-of-african-american-history-and-culture/">partners with the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture</a> to share the museum’s educational resources and digital initiatives like the Freedmen’s Bureau Transcription Project.

Starbucks shares <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/stories/2020/our-commitment-to-inclusion-diversity-and-equity-at-starbucks/">next steps it’s taking to advance racial and social equity </a>as part of its ongoing journey to create a welcoming and inclusive Third Place.

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

Starbucks <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/stories/2020/starbucks-shares-update-on-standing-together-against-racial-injustice/">stands in solidarity against racial injustice</a> with Black partners, community and customers.

$1M in grants to promote racial equity

The Starbucks Foundation commits $1 million in <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/stories/2020/the-starbucks-foundation-selects-more-than-400-non-profits-in-latest-round-of-neighborhood-grants/">Neighborhood Grants</a> to promote racial equity and create more inclusive and just communities. Nominated by Starbucks partners, and with input from civil rights leaders, these grants will support efforts in over 100 cities and towns across the United States.

Starbucks&nbsp;<a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/press/2020/letter-to-partners-continuing-to-support-racial-justice-with-action/">recognizes Juneteenth</a>&nbsp;as an annual U.S. company holiday.

Starbucks marks the milestone of opening <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/press/2020/starbucks-expands-commitment-in-underserved-communities-across-the-us/">16 Community Stores in underserved neighborhoods</a> with the newest Community Store, in the historic Anacostia area of Washington, D.C. Since launching the initiative in 2015, Starbucks has opened Community Stores in cities such as New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, Baltimore, Dallas, and Ferguson, Mo., and has set a goal to open 100 Community Stores by 2025.

Courageous conversations

Starbucks launches an internal series of courageous conversations with thousands of partners and their families coming together virtually to join a talk about the murders of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery and Breonna Taylor. These conversations will address difficult topics and help increase partners’ understanding of themselves and others.

Publishes civil rights assessment

Starbucks shares the&nbsp;<a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/press/2020/an-update-on-starbucks-civil-rights-assessment/">2019 assessment</a>&nbsp;on Civil Rights, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion conducted by Covington &amp; Burling LLP, under the leadership of the former U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder. The report, which reviews the company’s progress since the&nbsp;<a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/uploads/2019/01/Covington-Report-to-Starbucks-Jan-23-2019.pdf">2018 report</a>, evaluates Starbucks ongoing efforts to promote equity, diversity and inclusion in support of the company’s Mission and Values.

Hires company’s first chief inclusion and diversity officer

Starbucks appoints Nzinga “Zing” Shaw to serve as the company’s first chief inclusion and diversity officer.

Equal pay for people of color

Starbucks shares its median pay gaps by gender and race in the United States. In the U.S., the median pay ratio is 100 percent for people of color. <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/press/2020/how-starbucks-is-addressing-the-pay-gap/">Here’s how Starbucks is working to address pay equity</a>.

$10M to Chicago neighborhoods

Starbucks announces&nbsp;<a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/stories/2019/investing-in-chicago-how-10m-starbucks-loan-helps-underserved-areas/">it will invest $10 million</a>&nbsp;to support entrepreneurs, small business owners and nonprofits in Chicago. The loan will be distributed by a network of mission-based lenders called community development financial institutions, which work to revitalize struggling neighborhoods on the city’s south and west sides.

Free anti-bias curriculum

Starbucks launches its&nbsp;<a href="https://tobewelcoming.com/">“To Be Welcoming”</a>&nbsp;Curriculum, in partnership with Arizona State University. The free 15-course online curriculum addresses bias and encourages more meaningful conversations around our shared human experience.

‘The Story of Access’

The company shares publicly on its website Stanley Nelson’s film, <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/stories/2019/the-story-of-access/">”The Story of Access,”</a> which explores the history of people of color in public places.

Zero-tolerance for discrimination

Starbucks publishes its principles on&nbsp;<a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/press/2019/starbucks-principles-for-upholding-the-third-place-for-our-partners-our-customers-and-our-communities/">upholding the third place</a>. This public statement describes the key principles and responsibilities of creating a welcoming space for all, including our zero-tolerance position on discrimination.

Closing stores for bias training

The company&nbsp;<a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/stories/2018/closing-stores-opening-hearts-starbucks-partners-share-their-responses/">closes 8,000 stores</a>&nbsp;in the U.S. for company-wide implicit bias training and&nbsp;<a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/stories/2018/curriculum-for-the-third-place-our-commitment-renewed/">makes the curriculum publicly available</a>.

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Starbucks announces its <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/press/2018/use-of-the-third-place-policy/">Use of the Third Place policy</a>, defining a customer as anyone who enters a Starbucks space regardless of whether they make a purchase.

Two African American men are arrested in a Starbucks Philadelphia store. Kevin Johnson, Starbucks chief executive officer,&nbsp;<a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/stories/2018/starbucks-ceo-reprehensible-outcome-in-philadelphia-incident/">calls the outcome “reprehensible”</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;publicly apologizes, saying, <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/stories/2018/a-follow-up-message-from-starbucks-ceo-in-philadelphia/">“This is not who we are.”</a>

Starbucks announces it has reached&nbsp;<a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/stories/2018/starbucks-pay-equity-for-partners/">100 percent pay equity</a>&nbsp;across race and gender for U.S. partners performing similar work and sets a global goal.

Expands hiring of underserved youth

After reaching the initial goal of 10,000 hires by 2018, Starbucks expands its&nbsp;<a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/stories/2017/starbucks-expands-hiring-goals/">Opportunity Youth commitment</a>&nbsp;to 100,000 &nbsp;hires.

Starbucks supports the My Brother’s Keeper Alliance, with events in Oakland in July and Detroit in November focused on creating coalitions and hiring and creating pathways to opportunity for Black men.

Signs White House Fair Chance Business Pledge

Starbucks helps eliminate barriers for those with a criminal record by signing the Obama administration’s&nbsp;<a href="https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/the-press-office/2016/04/11/fact-sheet-white-house-launches-fair-chance-business-pledge">White House Fair Chance Business Pledge</a>.

Opens first Community Store

Starbucks opens its&nbsp;<a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/stories/2016/starbucks-opens-in-jamaica-queens/">first Community Store in Jamaica, Queens, N.Y.</a>&nbsp;with a commitment to open at least 15 stores with the aim of creating new jobs, engaging local women and minority-owned vendors and suppliers and collaborating with local nonprofits to support training opportunities for youth in diverse, underserved U.S. communities.

Commitment to acting with courage

Starbucks updates <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/stories/2015/starbucks-mission-and-values/">Our Mission and Values</a>, with focus on inclusion and action. It states, “With our partners, our coffee and our customers at our core, we live these values … Acting with courage, challenging the status quo and finding new ways to grow our company and each other.”

<a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/stories/2015/just-mercy-available-in-starbucks-stores/">Starbucks stores in the U.S. carry Bryan Stevenson’s book</a>, “Just Mercy”, donating 100 percent of the profits from the book sales to the Equal Justice Initiative.

Opportunity Fair &amp; Forum

Starbucks supports the launch of the first-ever&nbsp;<a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/stories/2015/chicago-opportunity-fair-and-forum/">Opportunity Fair &amp; Forum</a>&nbsp;in Chicago, and would go on to host events in <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yLWNknKdv8E">Phoenix</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oEVNVejpzFU">Los Angeles</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IdUu-ruwToY">Seattle</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ZeDpGj0PkY">Dallas</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ES9NHs4I4Ro">Washington, D.C.&nbsp;</a>and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DLL7MaAlPtw">Atlanta</a>, resulting in more than 5,000 on-the-spot job offers. The event also marks the official launch of the <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/stories/2015/top-us-based-companies-launch-100k-opportunities-initiative/#:~:text=About%20the%20100%2C000%20Opportunities%20Initiative,to%20employment%20for%20young%20people.">100,000 Opportunities Initiative</a>, a coalition of Starbucks and leading companies committed to engaging 100,000 young people in jobs, internships and apprenticeships.

Milestones: Starbucks efforts to support racial equity and justice - Starbucks Stories

Milestones: Starbucks efforts to support racial equity and justice