Starbucks on Tuesday was preparing to close more than 8,000 locations on Tuesday afternoon while employees undergo mandatory anti-bias training.
The closures come in the wake of a viral video showing two black men being arrested at a Starbucks store in Philadelphia, as other customers argued with police about their decision. The video accumulated more than 100,000 retweets on Twitter.
Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz called the incident “reprehensible” and said in a letter Tuesday that about 175,000 Starbucks employees would get anti-bias training.
“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,” he wrote.
“Discussing racism and discrimination is not easy, and various people have helped us create a learning experience that we hope will be educational, participatory and make us a better company,” Schultz added.
According to the coffee company, the stores will close “for several hours” Tuesday afternoon and re-open on Wednesday.
For several hours this afternoon, we will close stores and offices to discuss how to make Starbucks a place where all people feel welcome.
Thank you for your patience and support as we renew our promise to make Starbucks an inclusive gathering place for all.
See you tomorrow.
— Starbucks Coffee (@Starbucks) May 29, 2018
