Diversity and Inclusion Company Index: Apple
It was back in 2014 when big tech companies acknowledged the underrepresentation of minorities at their companies and made it a public goal to own up to the diversity issue. Seven years later, as we take a closer look at their diversity reports, we see slow and halting progress in diversifying their status with single-digit increases in the percentage of women, Black and Latino employees.
On our radar this week is Apple’s Diversity, Equality, and Inclusion index (DEI).
As it turns out, unlike the other big IT companies, Apple hasn’t released any D&I reports for 2021. The last diversity report from Apple was released in 2018.
Back then, Apple reported having one Black executive out of a total of 123, less than 1%, and 284 Black managers out of a total of 9,878, less than 3%.
Nine percent of its U.S. workforce is Black, but that drops to 3% when looking at leadership roles.
Half of Apple’s overall U.S. workforce was White, while Asian and Hispanic employees made up 23% and 14% of total employees, respectively.
In its diversity and inclusion report, Apple highlighted hiring more women and underrepresented minorities every year. “As we bring in new team members and support their growth at Apple, we’re highly encouraged that our workforce will become more representative at all levels of the company.”
Apple also offers Diversity Network Associations, which are employee-led groups designed to “foster a culture of belonging through education, leadership programs and networking.” More than 25,000 employees participate in groups such as Black@Apple, Accessibility@Apple, Women@Apple, and more, including faith-based groups.
Racial Equity and Justice Initiative
In 2020, Apple CEO Tim Cook in response to scores of protests against police brutality following the killings of Breonna Taylor, George Floyd, and countless others announced the launch of a $100 million Racial Equity and Justice Initiative (REJI).
On the eve of 2021, the company announced multiple investments that fall within the REJI initiative to help dismantle systemic barriers to opportunity and combat injustices faced by communities of color.
“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,” he noted.
These forward-looking and comprehensive efforts include 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 Black and Brown entrepreneurs. Together, Apple’s REJI commitments aim to expand opportunities for communities of color across the country and to help build the next generation of diverse leaders.
Entrepreneur Camp for Black Founders and Developers
As part of Apple’s ongoing commitment to empower the Black community and dismantle barriers to opportunity, the company welcomed on February leaders and their teams from 13 app companies as the inaugural cohort of Entrepreneur Camp for Black Founders and Developers.
The program is designed to give developers the opportunity to take their existing app experience to the next level by mastering new technical skills, applying a critical lens to the user experience, and more through hands-on technology labs, one-on-one code-level guidance from Apple experts and engineers, and mentorship, inspiration, and insights from top Apple leaders.
“These incredible app creators and business leaders embody the entrepreneurial spirit that runs so deep in the Black community,” said Lisa Jackson, Apple’s vice president of Environment, Policy, and Social Initiatives, who leads REJI. “Their work already demonstrates the power of coding to build a better world, and we’re honored to support them as they blaze a trail we know so many more will follow.”
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