BusinessRace and EthnicityStarbucks creates own Black Lives Matter shirt for employees

admin4 years ago6222 min

Starbucks creates own Black Lives Matter shirt for employees

FILE – This June 26, 2019, file photo shows a Starbucks sign outside a Starbucks coffee shop in downtown Pittsburgh. Starbucks announced Friday, June 12, 2020, that the company is creating its own Black Lives Matter shirt for employees to wear if they choose. The move comes after the coffee chain reportedly banned employees from wearing Black Lives Matter gear. GENE J. PUSKAR AP

Starbucks is creating its own Black Lives Matter shirt for employees to wear if they choose. The move comes after the coffee chain reportedly banned employees from wearing Black Lives Matter gear.

The T-shirt depicts protest signs with phrases including “Black Lives Matter,” “Speak Up” and “Time for Change.” One sign shows a raised black fist. “It’s not a moment, it’s a movement,” the shirt reads.

Social media blew up over news reports that Starbucks had told employees in a memo they couldn’t wear Black Lives Matter shirts or other paraphernalia because it might be used to amplify divisiveness. Protests have been erupting around the globe over the death of George Floyd in the hands of a Minneapolis police officer, which has in turn re-energized the Black Lives Matter movement.

Starbucks did not respond to questions about its memo but said it is partnering with the Starbucks Black Partner Network and Black Starbucks leaders to make 250,000 shirts available to staffers in the U.S. and Canada. Until the corporate T-shirts are available, Starbucks staffers can wear their own Black Lives Matter T-shirts and other gear.

Starbucks Foundation last week pledged to donate $1 million to organizations that promote racial equity and social justice. The organizations will be nominated by employees.

Starbucks has run into problems over race issues before. In 2018 it closed all of its stores for anti-bias training after two black men in a Philadelphia Starbucks were arrested when a store manager called police on them for purportedly being in the cafe and not buying anything.

In 2015 Starbucks was widely panned for its effort to spark discussions around race by having baristas write “Race Together” on customers’ cups. The company quickly ended the practice in response to the criticism.

Story Details


Date: Jun 12, 2020 2:08PM (GMT 18:08) – Words 302
Slug: BC-US–Starbucks-Black Lives Matter
Headline: Starbucks creates own Black Lives Matter shirt for employees
Source: AP

admin

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Our Mission

C2Change (Channeling Creative Change) Magazine launched to chronicle and bring attention to social and racial injustices—providing a platform for voiceless and disenfranchised people of color. Founded in 2018, our mission is to build dialogue about personal experiences, community challenges, and cultural struggles; chronicling each experience, challenge and struggle to push for the continual change and betterment of our communities for the next generation.

Current Magazine Issue

Copyright © 2021. All Rights Reserved. Website designed and hosted by R.L. Byrd, LLC.