Starbucks is launching a new campaign geared toward having conversations on race between its employees and customers.
“Race Together” has already started in Oakland, Los Angeles, St. Louis, New York and Chicago. Over 2,000 Starbucks partners have discussed racial issues at open forums, and CEO Howard Schultz is pushing for more.
Starbucks baristas were given the option as of Monday to give customers cups with “Race Together” on them in the hopes of sparking a conversation.
Mr. Schultz said on the company’s website that the campaign, which is in partnership with USA Today, is not a solution to racial tensions within certain communities, “but it is an opportunity to begin to re-examine how we can create a more empathetic and inclusive society — one conversation at a time.”
The CEO said that if baristas are uncomfortable with the campaign, there is no mandate to force a conversation about race with customers.
• Douglas Ernst can be reached at dernst@washingtontimes.com.
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