Embracing our differences Aside from extraordinary coffee, Starbucks has made a business out of human connections, community involvement and the celebration of cultures. And so, it’s  only natural that as a guiding principle, diversity is integral to everything we do.
The word “diversity” means many things to different people. We see diversity as “all the ways we differ and are the same.” This concept encompasses, but is not limited to, human differences with regard to race, ethnicity, gender, culture, and physical ability. In addressing diversity, we also consider issues like tenure, style, and our individual roles within the company. Just as critical to our success as a global company is the idea of inclusion, defined as a combination of differences and similarities in the pursuit of new ideas and individual relationships made everyday. 
Putting diversity into practice Talking about diversity is important. Acting on it is essential. Creating a place for customers to feel welcome, providing equal opportunities and benefits to every one of our partners (employees) and working with minority or  women owned businesses are among the ways we meet and set new goals for an inclusive business.
While we serve coffee to the entire world, we strive to meet and respect the interests of our local communities. Our partnership with Magic Johnson’s Urban Coffee Opportunities helps introduce Starbucks to ethnically diverse communities throughout the country, providing even more places for people to connect. Find out more about our diversity efforts in the CSR annual report. |
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