Apple’s total investment in its Racial Equity and Justice Initiative passed $200 million with an addition of $25 million in venture capital. The fund has the goal of expanding opportunities for Black, Hispanic/Latinx and Indigenous communities.
The Mac-maker has now more than doubled its original 2020 financial commitment to the REJI.
Apple Racial Equity and Justice Initiative takes on a global problem
The REJI was launched in June 2020 during the protests over the murder of George Floyd while in police custody. Since then, the fund has been used to support education, economic empowerment and criminal justice reform work in the U.S., Australia, the U.K. and Mexico.
“Building a more just and equitable world is urgent work that demands collaboration, commitment, and a common sense of purpose,” said Tim Cook, Apple’s CEO, in a statement. “We are proud to partner with many extraordinary organizations that are dedicated to addressing injustice and eliminating barriers to opportunity. And we’ll continue to lead with our values as we expand our efforts to create opportunities, lift up communities, and help build a better future for all.”
Ongoing REJI efforts
REJI’s education grants include over $50 million to Historically Black Colleges and Universities and Hispanic-Serving Institutions.
And the fund contributes to financial institutions — including venture capital firms, Community Development Financial Institutions and Minority Depository Institutions — that support Black, Hispanic/Latinx and Indigenous entrepreneurs and businesses.
REJI’s criminal justice reform grants have supported legal services, safe housing, identification services, healthcare access and more for over 19,000 individuals.
In addition, Apple announced Wednesday a new partnership with the My Brother’s Keeper Alliance. The aim is to help close opportunity gaps faced by boys and young men of color by supporting training for community leaders, expanding programming for boys and young men of color and making community impact microgrants.
“We launched REJI at a critical inflection point for our country,” said Lisa Jackson, Apple’s vice president of Environment, Policy, and Social Initiatives. “We are resolved to keep building on the progress we’ve made to ensure equitable opportunity for Black and Brown communities across America and around the world.”
