Years ago, while attending college, I was introduced to the world of Starbucks by my aunt, even when the price of their tall coffee was out of my budget. The enticing aroma of her venti French vanilla cappuccino drew me in instantly. Soon, I began noticing Starbucks locations popping up everywhere, and I found myself wanting one of those coveted gold rewards cards, a badge of honor for a club I never intended to join.
However, my admiration for my local Starbucks baristas, who served up coffee adorned with the iconic siren logo, took a turn recently. A message from my brother-in-law alerted me to a troubling company policy: Starbucks employees were prohibited from wearing Black Lives Matter apparel during their shifts, as it contradicted the company’s dress code. This revelation prompted me to renounce my once-beloved coffee shop, particularly given that their global chief diversity and inclusion officer is a Black woman.
I wrestled with the decision to discard my gold card so quickly after learning about this policy, aware that Nzinga Carter, the diversity officer, might be navigating a difficult landscape. I can only imagine the internal struggles she faced in advocating for the Black Lives Matter movement within a predominantly white and male corporate environment. It’s possible that her voice was either amplified or stifled in the decision-making process regarding such a significant stance.
The reality for Black women and women of color in leadership positions often involves making difficult sacrifices. They must carefully select their battles, weighing the cost of speaking up against the potential loss of their seat at the table. Even with diversity training offered to all staff earlier this year, which resulted in a temporary store closure, that effort feels more like a band-aid than a genuine solution to the pervasive challenges confronted by women of color in leadership roles.
Starbucks’s claim on their website about being committed to supporting Black partners and communities rings hollow when juxtaposed with their actions. Their initial decision to restrict baristas from participating in a pivotal social movement contradicts their stated values. While they eventually reversed this policy, the gesture seemed too little and came too late.
As a former devoted Starbucks patron and a Black woman who appreciated the diversity among my local baristas, I find it impossible to support a company that only reacts to backlash. The ongoing marches, protests, and social media dialogues for equality are collective efforts that transcend race.
I occupy a seat at the table—one not specifically designed for me—but I still find it challenging to voice my thoughts when it matters most. The struggle of finding genuine power in such spaces can be overwhelming, especially when historical silencing looms large. I ponder whether Nzinga Carter faces similar challenges.
In response to this situation, I relinquished my gold rewards card and the dream of accumulating enough stars for free Starbucks merchandise. While any establishment can exhibit biases, including the small café I now frequent for my morning brew, I recognize the importance of ensuring that all voices are heard. We must not remain passive while others take the lead.
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In summary, the experience of navigating corporate policies as a Black woman underscores the complexities of leadership and the necessity of authentic representation. As I move forward, I remain committed to standing for what I believe in, reminding myself that every voice matters in the pursuit of equity.