Winter storm unfolds across Minnesota

MPR News is your trusted resource for the news you need. With your support, MPR News brings accessible, courageous journalism and authentic conversation to everyone - free of paywalls and barriers. Your gift makes a difference.

Create a More Connected Minnesota

Starbucks is trying to launch a conversation on race with its customers, but does it really know what that entails?

The company says it's moving ahead with its "Race Together" campaign, even though at least one component generated controversy. It required baristas to engage customers on race and social justice issues while filling their beverage orders. According to the company, that phase of the campaign is now over.

Many in the Counter Stories crew have vast experience as racial equity, sensitivity and 'implicit bias' trainers. So they have well-formed opinions on the environments these conversations need to happen in, how they're conducted, and how people respond once they're in them.

Starbucks is trying to launch a national conversation on race, but does it really know what that entails?

A social media uproar caused Starbucks to pull back on its "Race Together" campaign, but not before the Counter Stories team weighed in.

Part of the "Race Together" initiative called for baristas to engage customers on race and social justice issues while filling their 'Iced Roasted Chestnut Macchiato' orders.

Many in the Counter Stories crew have vast experience as racial equity, sensitivity and 'implicit bias' trainers. So they have well formed opinions on the environments these conversations need to happen in, how they're conducted, and how people respond once they're in them.

Counter Stories: Race with your coffee?

Share

Create a More Connected Minnesota