From “Apple launches major new Racial Equity and Justice Initiative projects to challenge systemic racism, advance racial equity nationwide” posted Wednesday on the Apple Newsroom:
Apple 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’s REJI commitments aim to expand opportunities for communities of color across the country and to help build the next generation of diverse leaders.
“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. “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 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.”
Cue Tim Cook’s appearance Wednesday on CBS This Morning:
My take: Smart move. Historically black colleges and universities are key. I was afraid Apple was going to give away a bunch of iPads and make a big deal about it.
See also: Gayle King: Apple has a ‘big announcement’ tomorrow
To improve yields work at the early stages of the supply chain
We often allow ourselves to get too far down-in-the-weeds looking under the leaves instead of raising our heads and observing what is going on in the forest above.
Are those programmers going to be taught using Windows tools, or iOS tools? I think this is nothing more than rebranding Apple’s efforts to increase the numbers of Mac/iOS developers. If I’m right Apple hasn’t taken a stand, hasn’t increased funding, it is only tying an issue to Company goals of expanding the Apple universe.
A genuine effort would be led by a Billion dollar commitment to reach the disenfranchised in Los Angeles, New York, Philadelphia, Atlanta, New Orleans, St Louis, Chicago and other cities where minorities have and continue to suffer from systemic racism.
As an aside, yesterday I changed my multi decade registration as a Republican to that of a Democrat. I then sent a letter to my local Republican committee of my change and the reasons why. PED, I understand, and support the decision, if this portion of my post is edited out, but enough is enough.
I disagree that this move is self-serving, but that’s just my opinion.
For the rest: Well said, Gregg. The Grand Old Party moved from underneath you. Your principled stand, and that of others like you, may one day bring back the Noble Opposition.
I salute you.
My view is that, if you always hire the best, without regard for race, creed, gender, attraction, etc etc, you get the best people and you have a larger pool to pull from.
I also believe that we white folk (I’m speaking for myself here) owe some assistance to folks who we have suppressed.
Sorry, PED, there is really no way to avoid discussing this announcement without being “political”.
Gregg, congratulations on your party decision. As I have said to others, please defend your values, be they conservative or liberal, but please stop defending bad people.
Agree completely. However, people’s discernment of “bad people” sure seems suspect these days.
We have huge amount of untapped, untrained, unproductive talent in “economically and systematically discriminated” communities across the USA.
During summer of 2018 and 2019, I volunteered to teach iOS development as part of 10-week program by Apple and the City of Chicago. And I witnessed, quality and quantity of resources committed by Apple for such a short program in Chicago.
The commitment by Apple, will definitely deliver huge benefits and improve how things gets done at local level, and contribute to build better knowledge distribution infrastructure by improving local talents and institutions.
I hope more corporations innovate on Apple’s playbook to prioritize investments in “disadvantaged communities” to have better knowledge centers.
I salute you too, Gregg. Not as much for choosing a different party affiliation, but more so for upholding your own ideals and the common sense of sanity.
This may be a very large commitment in the long term, but there is a s opportunity for it to pay off.
I am happy that many “companies” via their CEO’s or boards are pulling political funding (lobbying) and contributions, but I’d be a lot happier if they directed those monies to improving regular people’s (some of their customers) opportunities rather than seeking corporate help. But that’s not likely to happen anytime soon.
We have since learned that Jobs gave quite a bit, but chose to do it anonymously.
Kudos to Apple.
Just look at the huge numbers of professional Fx staff needed on any major film, that all came through computer science and film arts training in the 90’s-2010’s. Expanding coding and other education before and beyond college opens up many more in-demand avenues for non-manual labor or dead end service jobs.