Hamilton family schedules private meeting with Starbucks CEO

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- After months of protests, the family of Dontre Hamilton will meet with the Starbuck's CEO next week.

FOX6 News is told this will actually be their second meeting. What's being discussed is still unclear.

The Hamilton's have been protesting Starbucks since an employee there was the first to call police about Dontre Hamilton last April.

It is the spot that started everything.

Late last April, Officer Christopher Manney arrived to Red Arrow Park. Eventually a struggle began between Manney and Dontre Hamilton before Manney shot and killed the 31-year-old.

Hamilton's family says he was the victim of profiling.

For months they protested inside the coffee shop and sent letters to the company. Now, next week the family of Dontre Hamilton will meet with the Starbuck's CEO Howard Schultz.

"We've created this campaign with USA Today called Race Together," said Schultz.

The meeting comes on the heels of a controversial campaign. Encouraging baristas to engage in conversations with customers about race.

"What can we do to create more empathy? More compassion? More understanding?" said Schultz.

After months of wanting their voices to be heard, the Hamiltons will come face-to-face with Schultz April 1st.

What will be discussed is unknown.

But for a family who once felt powerless, it hopes meeting a CEO can bring it one step closer to healing.

The lawyer for the Hamilton family says lawyers will be present from both sides and the meeting will be private.