Apple has added a new page to its website detailing its Racial Equity and Justice Initiative efforts, and has opened up applications to its Impact Accelerator program to Black- and Brown-owned businesses.
In an update to its website, Apple has introduced a page about the Racial Equity and Justice Initiative, detailing its $100 million effort to "dismantle systemic racism and grow opportunities for people confronting it every day." The page includes explanations for areas the initiative will focus on, including education, criminal justice reform, and economic equality.
The education-led elements include the Community Education Initiative, the learning hub at the Propel Center, the Apple Developer Academy covering Detroit, and supporting minority-serving institutions. Its criminal justice reform work includes donations to organizations such as the Equal Justice Initiative, which has worked since 1989 to defend basic human rights.
For its economic equality endeavors, to make "more room at the head of the table for Black and Brown businesses," the page lists its investments in Harlem Capital and Siebert Williams Shank's Clear Vision Impact Fund. There is also a reference to Apple's Entrepreneur Camp for Black Founders and Developers, which provides one-on-one code-level guidance from Apple engineers, ongoing support, and membership to the Apple Developer Program.
Apple also launched access to its Impact Accelerator program, an initiative designed to enable Black and Brown businesses that share Apple's "focus on innovation and our commitment to the environment." This includes customized training, access to Apple experts, and an alumni community to help further companies it supports.
Apple CEO Tim Cook took to Twitter to alert potential organizations to the Impact Accelerator's opening of applications.
Fighting systemic barriers to opportunity means redefining business as usual. We're thrilled to open applications to our Impact Accelerator for Black- and Brown-owned businesses addressing environmental challenges. Learn more about it here: https://t.co/yEdTYZChBF
-- Tim Cook (@tim_cook) February 1, 2021
Apple originally announced it was creating the accelerator in July 2020, as part of its commitment to reach 100% carbon neutrality by 2030.
The Racial Equality and Justice Initiative site also includes more details elsewhere in Apple about its work, including related Apple Newsroom announcements and elements within Apple Music and Apple News.
The page's publication occurs at the start of Black History Month, which Apple is marking in many different ways, including a special hub within the App Store, highlighting musicians and related content in Apple Music and the Apple TV app, and the Apple Watch Black Unity Collection.