Tech giant Apple announced today the addition of $30 million in new commitments to its Racial Equity and Justice Initiative (REJI). According to the company, the commitments will go towards new projects targeted at helping equip the next generation of students and leaders to dismantle structures that perpetuate inequities and institutional racism.
Apple launched REJI with an initial $100 million commitment in June 2020, in the wake of protests following the killings of Breonna Taylor and George Floyd. Led by Lisa Jackson, Apple’s vice president of Environment, Policy, and SocialSocial criteria examine how it manages relationships with employees, suppliers, customers, and the communities where it operates. Initiatives, REJI builds on the company’s initiatives to advance racial equity in education, the economy, and the criminal justice system.
Jackson said:
“We are focused on advancing enduring change, and our newest grant commitments will further that effort by supporting problem solvers and solution seekers in communities of color nationwide. Education, economic opportunity, and environmentalEnvironmental criteria consider how a company performs as a steward of nature. justice are fundamental pillars to ensuring racial equity, and everyone has a role to play in this critical mission.”
The new projects include a partnership with California State University (CSU) to launch a Global Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) Equity Innovation Hub, working in collaboration with HSIs throughout the US to foster student success by equipping learners with skills for high-demand careers. Additionally, Apple stated that it will expand its Entrepreneur Camp program to welcome its first cohort of Hispanic/Latinx founders and developers next year, and the company committed to investing in organizations that support racial justice, including the Anti-Recidivism Coalition, The Council on Criminal Justice, Innocence Project, The Last Mile, Recidiviz, The Sentencing Project, and Vera Institute of Justice.
Apple CEO Tim Cook said:
“The call to build a more just and equitable world is an urgent one, and at Apple, we feel a collective responsibility to help drive progress forward. The commitments we’re sharing will help the young leaders of today and tomorrow start new businesses, develop groundbreaking innovations, and inspire countless others to join the fight for justice. We’re grateful to all of the trailblazing organizations we’re partnering with for their tireless dedication to equity as we work toward a better future together.”
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