On Sunday , Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz sent out letter saying that baristas will not write the messages on cups after March 22 . Coffee chain 's ' Race Together ' campaign , was featured on social media and was accused of using racial tensions to fill its bottom line . Starbucks CEO # ##bard said ' nothing is acceptable ' and phase out is part of cadence of timeline the company originally planned . Schultz wrote that while there has been criticism of initiative , the company ' did not expect universal praise ' Six - time NBA champion has spoken out in defense of Schultz and the company 's ' Race Together ' campaign .
On Sunday , Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz sent out letter saying that baristas will not write the messages on cups after March 22 . Coffee chain 's 'Race Together ' campaign , was slammed on social media and was accused of using racial tensions to boost its bottom line . Starbucks spokesman Jim Olson said 'nothing is changing ' and phase out is part of cadence of timeline the company originally planned . Schultz wrote that while there has been criticism of initiative , the company 'did not expect universal praise ' Six-time NBA champion has spoken out in defense of Schultz and the company 's 'Race Together ' campaign .