Starbucks closed its 8,000 outlets to start an anti-racism training program, on Tuesday 29 May, to give minorities same treatment in restaurants and shops.
Starbucks is committed to starting this training program after Starbucks manager case in Philadelphia summoned the police for feeling uncomfortable with two black men waiting for a friend at the booth. The arrests sparked protests and allegations of racial discrimination in coffee outlets known for their liberal stance on social issues
Anti-bias training intended to make participants identify their own subconscious racism and avoid unintentional discrimination.
Starbucks closed its 8,000 stores in the United States on Tuesday, May 29, at 2 pm, as the first step in training 175,000 employees on racial tolerance. Around 6,000 licensed Starbucks stores will remain open at locations such as shops and airports, and these employees will be trained next period.
Starbucks training is expected to have a long-term impact on employee behavior and open awareness for other companies to address racism in restaurants and shops, said Heather McGhee, chair of Demos' public policy group.
McGhee said one of her earliest memories of racial discrimination was when a black girl was chased from a candy store by a white shop manager.
McGhee and Chairman of the NAACP Defense and Education Fund (NAACP LDF) Law, Sherrilyn Ifill, is the one who recommends Starbucks organize this program and communicate with company executives, especially Chief Operating Officer Rosalind Brewer, who is also an African-American.
"People forget that being treated as citizens full of dignity in the public of this country is important for civil rights movement, from Freedom Riders to Montgomery bus boycott, in the 1950s and 1960s, Ifill said.
NAACP LDF has also sued the company Abercrombie & Fitch (ANF.N), Wet Seal and Denny's Corp. (DENN.O) for racial discrimination and eventually promised to change its racial discrimination policy.
This anti-racism training program, Starbucks employees will watch videos featuring company leaders, hip-hop artists and experts from the Perception Institute as well as a short documentary on the history of racism in the public sphere. Starbucks employees will also participate in discussions and problem-solving sessions to identify and avoid racial and racism discrimination.
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