Apple CEO Tim Cook sat down with civil rights activist Rev. Jesse Jackson on Monday to talk about a range of topics, including the company's ongoing initiative to create a more diverse tech industry.
Specific details of the hour-long meeting have not been disclosed, though both Apple and Jackson have gone on record as calling the discussion productive, USA Today reports.
"I am impressed with him and the conversation," Jackson said about Cook. "He has a real vision for Apple and he sees the value in inclusiveness."
In a statement sent to the publication, Apple spokeswoman Krisen Huguet said, "Apple is deeply committed to diversity within our company and the advancement of human rights around the world. We had a productive meeting with Rev. Jesse Jackson and we value his input. We look forward to working with him, our employees, customers and other stakeholders as we look for ways to do more."
Jackson is visiting San Francisco's Bay Area for a diversity in the workplace conference to be held by his Rainbow PUSH Coalition. The workshop will take place at Intel's headquarters in Santa Clara, Calif. He is also planning to join a rally outside of Apple's Cupertino headquarters being held by labor leaders to bring attention to a wage gap between corporate employees and lower level workers.
The rally is thought to be linked to a recent call for Silicon Valley security guard unionization. Last month, a local labor union spearheading an effort to unionize security guards and other laborers asked Apple for support in garnering better wages for contract workers. The company has yet to reply.
Employee diversification and wage gaps have become hot topics in tech. As part of a push to release diversification statistics, Apple in August issued a report that revealed most of its employees are white men. At the time, Jackson's Rainbow PUSH Coalitionpraised Apple for releasing the data.
Apple has since made workplace diversification a major initiative, coining the "inclusion inspires innovation" tagline used by Cook and others to promote the issue.
76 Comments
Keep that corporate extortion racket as far away from Apple as possible. No good can possibly come from this. Anyone remotely familiar with Jackson and his history knows these things ultimately benefit him and his cronies.
This is utterly ludicrous. Why?
Jackson should stay far away from Apple. Tim, Jackson does not represent the black population at all. He is just lining his pocket. Please don't give a free Ipad or Iphone.
Tough position Apple is in. Tim is damned if he meets with Jackson (as he will have to give in to the extortion), or damned if he doesn't (as he will be decried as a "hater"). Anyone who knows Apple is aware of the lengths they go to to be "inclusive". I would agree that this is just a way for Jackson to stay in the news and line his pockets.
Keep that corporate extortion racket as far away from Apple as possible. No good can possibly come from this. Anyone remotely familiar with Jackson and his history knows these things ultimately benefit him and his cronies.
http://www.theonion.com/articles/jesse-jackson-honored-for-providing-innercity-yout,505/
I think Apple can do this without his "help."