Starbucks has announced that it will close more than 8,000 company-owned U.S. stores for several hours on May 29 in order to offer education on racial bias.
The coffee shops will shutter that afternoon, and training will be provided to about 175,000 employees. Corporate offices will also be closed, the company explained in a press release Tuesday.
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The announcement comes as the company tries to recover from news that two black men, waiting at a Philadelphia Starbucks for a friend, were arrested by police.
CEO Kevin Johnson was quick to apologize and call the arrests “reprehensible,” and met with the men that were arrested. But that hasn’t stopped protesters from gathering in front of the coffee chain.
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Many have called for the popular coffee spot to be boycotted.
“I’ve spent the last few days in Philadelphia with my leadership team listening to the community, learning what we did wrong and the steps we need to take to fix it,” Johnson said in Tuesday’s release.
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“Closing our stores for racial bias training is just one step in a journey that requires dedication from every level of our company and partnerships in our local communities.”
The content of the training will be developed in consultation with national and local experts, the release said.
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The company is also reviewing its training practices.
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The company’s attorney, Stewart Cohen, issued another statement Tuesday, saying the “painful incident” can become a means for positive change.
“We have a situation – and the people at the center of it have come together with civility, common purpose and a willingness to listen and work towards a solution,” he said.
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“Together we ask that the community respect this process.”