Apple pushes for racial equity and justice with new projects

Apple makes a $25 million contribution to 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. | Source: Propel

Apple might not be present at CES 2021, but it has a lot to say, especially when it comes to challenging systemic racism and working to advance racial equity in the U.S. The company just announced new significant projects that are part of its US$100 Racial Equity and Justice Initiative (REJI) program launched in June.

The company aims to help dismantle systemic barriers to opportunities and fight against injustices faced by communities of colour. Apple hopes these programs can help these communities across the country and encourage the next generation of diverse leaders. 

The projects 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, where there are vibrant Black entrepreneur and developer communities; and venture capital funding for Black and Brown entrepreneurs through Harlem Capital and Siebert Williams Shank's Clear Vision Impact Fund. Together, Apple's REJI commitments aim to expand opportunities for communities of colour across the country and help ready diverse leadership in the next-generation.

The company also plans to establish two new grants to support HBCU engineering programs. The Innovation Grants strive to help HBCU Colleges of Engineering develop their silicon and hardware engineering curriculum with experts from Apple. And the new Faculty Fellows Program will help HBCU educators to pursue R&D with mentorship programs, curriculum development assistance, and funds to equip their lab spaces. 

Apple is also now offering scholarships to 100 new Apple Scholars from underrepresented communities. Aside from financial support, the Apple Scholars program includes mentorship and career development experience at Apple.

Apple will contribute to The King Center, a living memorial to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s legacy, to share his teachings and inspire new generations to carry forward his unfinished work. Next week, Dr. King's 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's "Challenge for Change" series—a set of conversation guides and learning-based challenges on issues related to race and inequality.

"We are all accountable to the urgent work of building a more just, more equitable world—and these new projects send a clear signal of Apple's enduring commitment," said Tim Cook, Apple's CEO, in a statement. "We're launching REJI's latest initiatives with partners across a broad range of industries and backgrounds—from students to teachers, developers to entrepreneurs, and community organizers to justice advocates—working together to empower communities that have borne the brunt of racism and discrimination for far too long. We are honoured 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."

REJI was announced back in June 2020 in the wake of protests worldwide following the killings of Breonna Taylor, George Floyd, and countless others. The initiative builds on Apple's work to advance racial equity in education, the economy, and the criminal justice system. It is led by Apple's vice president of Environment, Policy and Social Initiatives, Lisa Jackson.