Starbucks Closes 8,000 Stores for Racial Bias Training

What’s the story?

• Starbucks is closing more than 8,000 company-operated stores Tuesday afternoon to provide racial bias training for 175,000 employees.

Why the training?

• The training comes after a video went viral that showed two African American men being arrested at a Starbucks in Philadelphia. A store manager called police when the men refused to leave the Starbucks after being denied restroom access without purchasing anything.
• Starbucks executive chairman Howard Schultz wrote in an open letter on Tuesday:

 "The incident has prompted us to reflect more deeply on all forms of bias, the role of our stores in communities and our responsibility to ensure that nothing like this happens again at Starbucks. The reflection has led to a long-term commitment to reform systemwide policies, while elevating inclusion and equity in all we do.”

What do you think?

Were you affected by the Starbucks closure? Should other companies host racial bias training? Should Congress mandate racial bias training the same way certain states have mandatory sexual harassment training? Hit Take Action and tell your reps, then share your thoughts below.

—Josh Herman

(Photo Credit garett_mosher / iStock)