In a video shared by Apple CEO Tim Cook today, he announced Apple’s Racial Equity and Justice Initiative, with a $100 million commitment, saying “The unfinished work of racial justice and equality call us all to account.” The initiative will be lead by Lisa Jackson, Apple’s VP of Environment, Policy, and Social Initiatives.
“Each of us has a role to play in making sure we rise to the occasion. Things must change, and Apple’s committed to being a force for that change,” said Tim Cook, Apple’s CEO. “Today, I’m proud to announce Apple’s Racial Equity and Justice Initiative, with a $100 million commitment. Beginning in the United States, and expanding globally over time, the initiative will challenge the systemic barriers to opportunity and dignity that exist for communities of color and particularly for the Black community, with special focus on issues of education, economic equality, and criminal justice reform.
Tim later goes on to say “The effort will build on our longstanding work with Historically Black Colleges and Universities, community colleges, STEM education, and under-served students and teachers, and force new partnerships with organizations like the Equal Justice Initiative. It will bring together skills and knowledge from across the company and make changes that touch just about everything we do, all in service of achieving something transformative for our communities.”
In the video, he also announces a new Developer Entrepreneur Camp for Black Developers, “with the goal of fostering and lifting up the brightest lights and best ideas in the developer family.”
The full video is embedded below if you’d like to hear the full statement and all details from Tim. Earlier this month, Tim sent employees a memo regarding George Floyd’s death and the need for racial equality, and later released a public statement called “Speaking up on racism.”
