Former Attorney General Eric Holder’s recommendations for “diversity” policies at Starbucks have landed the coffee retailer in legal trouble as it faces allegations of racial discrimination.
The company enlisted the services of Covington & Burling, a prestigious D.C. law firm where Holder serves as senior counsel, to conduct “civil rights assessments” following a controversial 2018 incident in a Philadelphia store.
The incident involved employees calling the police on two black men who had not made a purchase but wanted to use the restroom and refused to leave when denied.
In response, Starbucks sought Holder’s expertise to improve its practices and become a better “ally”.
Holder’s team subsequently published a report with suggestions such as tying executive pay to diversity targets, setting spending goals for “diverse suppliers,” and implementing a mentorship program for “BIPOC” employees.
However, Starbucks is now facing a lawsuit from the National Center for Public Policy Research, a shareholder, accusing the company of violating civil rights and engaging in racial discrimination.
The suit highlights a broader trend of “diversity, equity, and inclusion” policies at major companies that have faced criticism for allegedly excluding white individuals.
Attorney Adam Mortara expressed astonishment at Holder’s recommendations, questioning the justification for advising a company to adopt such practices.
Notably, Holder’s report did not address the legality of the suggested policies.
It is worth noting that Holder has reportedly charged upwards of $2,000 an hour for similar work in other instances.
While Holder remains unaffected by legal action, the controversy surrounding Starbucks’ implementation of his recommendations raises questions about the intersection of diversity initiatives and potential allegations of discrimination in the corporate world.
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