Sephora is taking a page out of Starbucks’ diversity training manual after SZA accused one of their employees of racial profiling.
The makeup retailer will close its storefronts, distribution centers and corporate offices on one hour on Wednesday for “inclusion workshops,” reports Reuters.
“On the morning of 6/5, every Sephora store, distribution center, and corporate office in the US will close to host inclusion workshops for our employees,” the brand wrote on Facebook. These values have always been at the heart of Sephora, and we’re excited to welcome everyone when we reopen.”
Sephora also introduced its “We Belong to Something Beautiful” campaign which promotes diversity among the brand’s staff and customers.
As Blavity previously reported, SZA accused an employee of calling security on her while she shopped at a location in Calabasas, California.
Lmao Sandy Sephora location 614 Calabasas called security to make sure I wasn’t stealing . We had a long talk. U have a blessed day Sandy
— SZA (@sza) May 1, 2019
Can a bitch cop her fenty in peace er whut
— SZA (@sza) May 1, 2019
“Lmao Sandy Sephora location 614 Calabasas called security to make sure I wasn’t stealing. We had a long talk. U have a blessed day Sandy,” she wrote in April. “Can a bitch cop her fenty in peace er whut.”
Sephora apologized for the mishap on Twitter, according to People.
“We want to let you know we take complaints like this very seriously and are actively working with our teams to address the situation immediately,” Sephora wrote. “You are part of the Sephora family, and we are committed to ensuring every member of our community feels welcome and included at our stores.”
Rihanna eventually responded with a Fenty Beauty gift card.
“Go buy yo Fenty Beauty in peace sis!” Rihanna wrote.
Sephora’s closures mirror Starbucks’ response to a racially charged incident at one of their stores. In May 2018, Starbucks closed all of its locations for a day for diversity training. The training was prompted by the arrests of two Black men who were waiting for a friend in a Philadelphia location.