Starbucks is celebrating Black History Month with the debut of a new collection of cups designed by artist Damon Brown. The collection is part of the coffee chain’s Artists Collaboration Series, which aims to showcase the unique stories of artists from around the world.
Brown, also known as Creative Lou, incorporated colors significant to the Black community in his artwork, while staying true to Starbucks’ brand by incorporating pops of sky blue and cream. This marks the first time the coffee chain has featured designs specifically for the Black community, a departure from its previous collaborations that have celebrated events such as Pride Month.
“An intentional play on the classic color palette of red, black, and green that you may typically see represented in Black art or during Black History Month—to make it more modern and purposeful,” explained Brown about his creation.
Brown’s relationship with Starbucks began with a mural he created for a location in Seattle. His work was also featured in a poster commemorating the coffee shop’s 50th anniversary, which reintroduced the siren logo. The artist expressed his hope that the new cup designs will bring lasting joy to customers, emphasizing that the collection is meant to be enjoyed and celebrated beyond February, extending the recognition of Black history throughout the year.
The latest cold cups and tumblers from the collection will be available at Starbucks locations in the U.S. and Canada starting on Jan. 30. In addition to the cup collection, Starbucks continues to show support for Black organizations, including the NAACP and Afri