\nApple\u00ae today announced a set of major new projects as part of its $100 million Racial Equity and Justice Initiative (REJI) to help dismantle systemic barriers to opportunity and combat injustices faced by communities of color. These forward-looking and comprehensive efforts include the Propel Center, a first-of-its-kind global innovation and learning hub for Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs); an Apple Developer Academy to support coding and tech education for students in Detroit; and venture capital funding for Black and Brown entrepreneurs. Together, Apple\u2019s REJI commitments aim to expand opportunities for communities of color across the country and to help build the next generation of diverse leaders.\n<\/p>\n
\n\u201cWe are all accountable to the urgent work of building a more just, more equitable world \u2014 and these new projects send a clear signal of Apple\u2019s enduring commitment,\u201d said Tim Cook, Apple\u2019s CEO. \u201cWe\u2019re launching REJI\u2019s latest initiatives with partners across a broad range of industries and backgrounds \u2014 from students to teachers, developers to entrepreneurs, and community organizers to justice advocates \u2014 working together to empower communities that have borne the brunt of racism and discrimination for far too long. We are honored to help bring this vision to bear, and to match our words and actions to the values of equity and inclusion we have always prized at Apple.\u201d\n<\/p>\n
\nLast June, Apple announced REJI in the wake of protests around the world following the killings of Breonna Taylor, George Floyd, and countless others. The initiative builds on Apple\u2019s work to advance racial equity in education, the economy, and the criminal justice system, and is led by Apple\u2019s vice president of Environment, Policy and Social Initiatives, Lisa Jackson. REJI complements Apple\u2019s internal efforts to improve diversity and inclusion at every level of the company.\n<\/p>\n
\n\u201cEvery individual deserves equal access to opportunity regardless of skin color or zip code,\u201d said Jackson. \u201cFor too long, communities of color have faced gross injustices and institutional barriers to their pursuit of the American dream, and we are proud to lend our voices and resources to build new engines of opportunity that empower, inspire, and create meaningful change.\u201d\n<\/p>\n
Apple\u2019s Support for HBCUs Expands with the Propel Center<\/b><\/p>\n
\nApple is working with Southern Company and a range of community stakeholders to support the launch of the Propel Center, a first-of-its-kind innovation and learning hub for the HBCU community. Apple\u2019s $25 million contribution will enable the Propel Center to support HBCU students and faculty through a robust virtual platform, a physical campus in the historic Atlanta University Center, as well as on-campus activations at partner institutions.\n<\/p>\n
\nThe center is designed to support the next generation of diverse leaders, providing innovative curricula, technology support, career opportunities, and fellowship programs. The Propel Center will offer a wide range of educational tracks, including AI and machine learning, agricultural technologies, social justice, entertainment arts, app development, augmented reality, design and creative arts, career preparation, and entrepreneurship. Experts from Apple will help develop curricula and provide ongoing mentorship and learning support, along with offering internship opportunities.\n<\/p>\n
\nThe Propel Center was imagined and designed by Ed Farm, a groundbreaking organization that works to promote innovation and educational equity. The initiative builds upon Apple\u2019s partnership with Ed Farm and the company\u2019s work with three dozen HBCUs, bringing coding, creativity, and career opportunities to campuses and communities across the US.\n<\/p>\n
\n\u201cWe\u2019re thrilled to be partnering with Apple on this extraordinary project,\u201d said Anthony Oni, Ed Farm\u2019s founder and chairman of the board, and a vice president at Southern Company. \u201cThe Propel Center will help cultivate leadership and drive innovation in tech and beyond, acting as a springboard for change in communities across America.\u201d\n<\/p>\n
\nAs part of Apple\u2019s ongoing partnerships with HBCUs, the company is also establishing two new grants to support HBCU engineering programs. Apple\u2019s new Innovation Grants will help HBCU Colleges of Engineering develop their silicon and hardware engineering curriculum in partnership with Apple\u2019s experts. The new Faculty Fellows Program will support HBCU educators pursuing R&D with mentorship programs, curriculum development assistance, and funds to equip their lab spaces.\n<\/p>\n
\nBuilding on its longstanding scholarship program with the Thurgood Marshall College Fund, Apple is also now offering scholarships to 100 new Apple Scholars from underrepresented communities. In addition to financial support, the Apple Scholars program includes mentorship and career development experience at Apple.\n<\/p>\n
Apple\u2019s First US Developer Academy to Open in Downtown Detroit<\/b><\/p>\n
\nLater this year, Apple will open an Apple Developer Academy in Detroit \u2014 the first of its kind in the US. Detroit has a vibrant Black entrepreneur and developer community, with over 50,000 Black-owned businesses, according to US Census data. The academy is designed to empower young Black entrepreneurs, creators, and coders, helping them cultivate the skills necessary for jobs in the rapidly growing iOS app economy. Launched in collaboration with Michigan State University, Apple Developer Academy courses will be open to all learners across Detroit, regardless of their academic background or whether they have any previous coding experience.\n<\/p>\n
\nThe Apple Developer Academy will offer two programs in Detroit. A 30-day introductory program is designed for learners who are considering app economy careers and looking to better understand what it means to be a developer. The full academy program is an intensive 10- to 12-month program that will help aspiring developers build the skills needed to participate in the iOS app economy, and even start their own businesses. Apple expects the academy\u2019s programming to reach close to 1,000 students each year with a curriculum that covers coding, design, marketing, and professional skills.\n<\/p>\n
\nAnd next month, Apple will host the inaugural cohort of its Entrepreneur Camp for Black Founders and Developers for a virtual experience, offering one-on-one code-level guidance from Apple experts and engineers, as well as mentorship, inspiration, and insights from top Apple leaders.\n<\/p>\n
Empowering Entrepreneurs Through New Funding Partnerships<\/b><\/p>\n
\nTo address systemic barriers to access and funding faced by Black and Brown entrepreneurs, Apple is today announcing two new investments in the venture capital and banking spaces, with both projects designed to provide capital to minority-owned businesses. The company will invest $10 million with Harlem Capital \u2014 an early-stage venture capital firm based in New York \u2014 to support its investments in 1,000 companies with diverse founders over the next 20 years. In addition to providing capital to entrepreneurs of color, Harlem Capital will also lend its expertise to Apple\u2019s broader efforts to advance access to economic opportunity. The firm will offer guidance and mentorship to students at the Detroit Developer Academy and participants in Apple\u2019s Entrepreneur Camp for Black Founders and Developers. Apple will also support Harlem Capital\u2019s internship program, focused on opening doors for aspiring women and minority investors.\n<\/p>\n
\nThe company will also invest $25 million in Siebert Williams Shank\u2019s Clear Vision Impact Fund, which provides capital to small and medium-size businesses, with an emphasis on minority-owned companies. The fund looks to support businesses that operate in or serve underserved markets, and that foster inclusive growth initiatives.\n<\/p>\n
Lifting up Community Organizations<\/b><\/p>\n
\nAs part of its REJI work, Apple continues to build on its contributions toward community colleges, nonprofit advocates, and local organizations working to empower and expand opportunity for the next generation.\n<\/p>\n
\nApple is making a contribution to The King Center, a living memorial to the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. to share his teachings and inspire new generations to carry forward his unfinished work. Next week, Dr. King\u2019s daughter and the CEO of The King Center, Dr. Bernice A. King, will issue a call to action encouraging young people to give back to their communities as part of Apple\u2019s \u201cChallenge for Change\u201d series \u2014 a set of conversation guides and learning-based challenges on issues related to race and inequality.\n<\/p>\n
\nApple\u2019s contribution to The King Center joins the company\u2019s previous donations to nonprofit organizations that advance equity and justice, including the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute and the Equal Justice Initiative in Montgomery, Alabama.\n<\/p>\n
\nApple revolutionized personal technology with the introduction of the Macintosh in 1984. Today, Apple leads the world in innovation with iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, and Apple TV. Apple\u2019s five software platforms \u2014 iOS, iPadOS, macOS, watchOS, and tvOS \u2014 provide seamless experiences across all Apple devices and empower people with breakthrough services including the App Store, Apple Music, Apple Pay, and iCloud. Apple\u2019s more than 100,000 employees are dedicated to making the best products on earth, and to leaving the world better than we found it.\n<\/p>\n
\nNOTE TO EDITORS: For additional information visit Apple Newsroom (www.apple.com\/newsroom<\/a>), or call Apple\u2019s Media Helpline at (408) 974-2042.\n<\/p>\n \n\u00a9 2021 Apple Inc. All rights reserved. Apple and the Apple logo are trademarks of Apple. Other company and product names may be trademarks of their respective owners.\n<\/p>\n View source version on businesswire.com: <\/span>https:\/\/www.businesswire.com\/news\/home\/20210113005297\/en\/<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n \nApple KEYWORDS:<\/b> United States North America California Michigan<\/p>\n INDUSTRY KEYWORDS:<\/b> Technology Fund Raising Professional Services Foundation Philanthropy Consumer Training Telecommunications University Software Education Internet Other Consumer Mobile\/Wireless Hardware Finance Consumer Electronics<\/p>\n MEDIA:<\/b><\/p>\n Apple Launches Major New Racial Equity and Justice Initiative Projects to Challenge Systemic Racism, Advance Racial Equity Nationwide Commitments build on Apple\u2019s $100 million pledge and include a first-of-its-kind education hub for HBCUs and an Apple Developer Academy in Detroit CUPERTINO, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)– Apple\u00ae today announced a set of major new projects as part of its $100 million Racial Equity and Justice Initiative (REJI) to help dismantle systemic barriers to opportunity and combat injustices faced by communities of color. These forward-looking and comprehensive efforts include the Propel Center, a first-of-its-kind global innovation and learning hub for Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs); an Apple Developer Academy to support coding and tech education for students in Detroit; and venture capital funding … <\/p>\n<\/p>\n
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Josh Rosenstock, 408-862-1142
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jrosenstock@apple.com
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Rachel Wolf Tulley, 408-974-0078
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rachel_tulley@apple.com <\/a><\/p>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"