CORNWALL, Ontario – Starbucks will be closing its doors around 2:30 p.m. today (Monday) as employees are taking part in training on race, bias and inclusion.
Over 1,000 Canadian stores will be closed this afternoon because of the training. Similarly, 8,000 stores in the United States closed their doors in late May for the same workshop.
The training is prompted following the arrest of two Black men who were refused permission to use the washroom at a Philadelphia location. A video of the arrest was made public, and it was received with public out-cries and protests.
In a letter to customers, Michael Conway, President of Starbucks Canada, said the training will include discussion about how employees can make the public space feel inclusive to everyone, amongst other efforts.
