Apple’s new REJI projects to challenge systemic racism, advance racial equity nationwide
Apple is supporting the launch of the Propel Center (rendering above) — an innovation hub for the entire HBCU community that will provide curriculum, internships, and mentorship opportunities. | Image credit: Apple
Apple has announced a set of major new projects as part of its $100 million
Racial Equity and Justice Initiative (REJI), which aims to expand
opportunities for communities of color across the country and to help build the
next generation of diverse leaders. Among these efforts are 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 entrepreneurs of color.
As CEO Tim Cook said:
“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. 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.”
Apple’s first US developer academy to open in downtown Detroit
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Later this year, Apple will open an Apple Developer Academy in Detroit — 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, the Academy will be open to all learners across Detroit,
regardless of their academic background or whether they have any previous coding
experience; Apple expects the programming to reach close to 1,000 students each
year with a curriculum that covers coding, design, marketing and professional
skills.
And next month, Apple will host the inaugural cohort of its Entrepreneur Camp
for Black Founders and Developers (ECBFD) for a virtual experience —
offering one-on-one, code-level guidance from Apple experts and engineers, as
well as mentorship and insights from top Apple leaders.
Empowering entrepreneurs
To address systemic barriers to access and
funding
faced by Black and Brown entrepreneurs, Apple also announced two new investments
in the venture capital and banking spaces — both designed to provide capital to
minority-owned businesses:
-
The company will invest $10 million with NYC-based Harlem
Capital to support its investments in 1,000
companies with diverse founders over the next 20 years. Harlem Capital will
lend its expertise to Apple’s broader efforts to advance access to economic
opportunity, and offer guidance and mentorship to students at the Detroit
Developer Academy and participants in the ECBFD. Apple will also support
Harlem Capital’s internship program, focused on opening doors for aspiring
women and minority investors.
-
Apple will also invest $25 million in Siebert Williams Shank’s Clear
Vision Impact
Fund
— a partnership with Microsoft that 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.
Apple also continues to contribute toward community colleges, nonprofits and
local organizations working to empower and expand opportunity for the next
generation.
Apple 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. This
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.
Learn more about Apple’s Racial Equity and Justice Initiative
here
…
Starbucks launches $100M Community Resilience Fund
Image credit: Starbucks
Meanwhile, Starbucks has also launched new initiatives, aimed at using its
scale and platform to positively impact the communities it serves. First, the
coffee giant will invest $100 million to launch the Starbucks Community
Resilience Fund — focused on supporting small businesses and community
development projects in Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC)
neighborhoods.
President and CEO Kevin Johnson said of the announcement:
“Starbucks has always been a company focused on caring for our partners,
creating experiences for our customers and playing a positive role in our
communities and throughout society. We are excited to make this investment as it
aligns with our Mission and Values and supports our aspiration to advance equity
and opportunity in the communities we serve.”
Advancing racial equity and environmental resilience
By 2025, the Starbucks Community Resilience Fund will invest $100 million to
advance racial equity and environmental resilience by supporting small business
growth and community development projects in neighborhoods with historically
limited access to capital. The investments will initially focus on 12 US
metropolitan areas and their surrounding regions: Atlanta, Detroit,
Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, Minneapolis, New Orleans, New
York City, Philadelphia, San Francisco Bay Area, Seattle and
Washington DC.
In partnership with community leaders, community development finance
institutions (CDFIs) and other impact-focused financial institutions, the Fund
will help provide access to capital intended to support small businesses and
neighborhood projects — including those addressing the inequitable impacts of
climate change.
As part of the initiative, Starbucks will work with partners including the
Opportunity Finance Network (OFN) to allocate funds to local CDFIs that
will provide borrowers with access to capital, ongoing mentorship and technical
assistance.
“Starbucks is investing in the survival of small business by working with CDFIs
in key cities across America. CDFIs deliver affordable credit as well as
training on disaster recovery and rebuilding — and that is exactly what small
businesses need right now to withstand ongoing economic and climate changes,”
said OFN President and CEO, Lisa Mensah. “With partners like Starbucks and
CDFIs, these small businesses will have a fighting chance to recover, rebuild,
hire workers and serve their local economy.”
The effort expands on Starbucks 2019 commitment to invest $10 million in four
Chicago-based
CDFIs:
Accion Chicago, Chicago Community Loan Fund, IFF and Local
Initiatives Support Corporation.
Honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy
As part of Starbucks long-standing heritage of honoring Dr. Martin Luther King’s
legacy of service, the company also announced a collaboration with National
Museum of African American History and
Culture
to share the museum’s digital educational resources and opportunities through
Starbucks digital platforms.
As part of the collaboration, Starbucks will invite partners and customers to
participate in the Freedmen’s Bureau Transcription
Project.
Through the project, volunteers can help digitally transcribe handwritten
records containing information from newly emancipated Black people during the
Reconstruction period. The initiative helps African Americans discover their
ancestors and historians better understand the years following the Civil War.
These records will be used later in a museum exhibition planned for 2021 on the
Reconstruction Era.
Starbucks customers can access the museum’s
content through
the Starbucks App and Starbucks
Stories
through February.
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Sustainable Brands Staff
Published Jan 20, 2021 1pm EST / 10am PST / 6pm GMT / 7pm CET