Apple has announced a $30 million new contribution to support Latinx and Hispanic groups, expanding on its Racial Equity Initiative investment.
Apple has now added almost a third to its contributions following the launch of the $100 million Racial Equity and Justice Initiative. The $30 million new commitment will be used to support innovators and students as well as organizations that expand learning opportunities for historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs).
“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,” Tim Cook, Apple CEO, said in a statement. The commitments we share will enable the young leaders of tomorrow to start new businesses and develop innovative solutions, as well as inspire many others to join the fight against injustice.”
He said, “We are grateful to all the trailblazing organisations we have partnered with for their unfailing dedication to equity as they work towards a better future together.”
Apple claims that 60% of undergraduates at HBCUs or Hispanic-Service Insitutions are Hispanic, Latinx, and Black. Apple claims that the new investment will help to equip the next generation leaders and students.
New HSI Equity Innovation Hub and expanded education programs for HBCUs are some of the projects funded by this new investment. The new investment will fund a new cohort of Apple Entrepreneurs, and funding to support the advancement of criminal justice reform.
The new investment includes partnering with California State University (CSU) specifically to create a Global HSI Equity Innovation Center.
Erika D. Beck is the president of California State University Northridge. “By reframe service through an equity-justice lense, the Global HSI Equity Innovation Hub seeks exponentially to accelerate educational equity across all CSU systems,” she said.
She said, “We are grateful for Apple’s support as it allows us to shift from thinking about how students must be successful to instead think about what our institutions need to do to succeed in serving the Latinx community or students from other underrepresented backgrounds.” The CSUN Equity Hub is a great place to continue collaborating on proven strategies that are beneficial for all.