Apple and YouTube announce $100m funds for black creators

The announcements come in response to recent protests in the US that call attention to discrimination against black Americans, following the police killing of George Floyd last month.

Apple CEO Tim Cook last week revealed the company's initiative, called Racial Equity and Justice, in a four-minute video. In it, the CEO explains that the initiative will begin with investments in the US and gradually expand globally.

The fund will also support programmes and organisations on issues like education, economic equality and criminal justice reform. The initiative will be led by Lisa Jackson who was previously the director of Apple’s environmental policies.

Cook also expressed his intention to develop a startup entrepreneurial camp for black developers, increase spending with black-owned partners and suppliers, and bolster the company’s efforts to enhance diversity on the Apple team.

YouTube’s initiative was announced by the company’s CEO Susan Wojcicki in an official blog on June 11. YouTube’s $100m pledge will strive to amplify and develop the voices of black creators and artists and their stories.

Wojcicki cites a YouTube Originals fundraiser called 'Bear Witness, Take Action', in support of the Equal Justice Initiative, as the type of projects it would like to uplift. It will invite activists, creators, artists and others to participate in a roundtable conversation about racial issues. Some of the guests will also give live musical performances.

She also writes that YouTube updated its hate speech policy, which has resulted in the removal of more than 100 000 videos and 100 million comments for hate and harassment in the last quarter alone. In addition, YouTube's Spotlight channel will delve into contemporary race issues throughout June – in addition to stories about the centuries-long fight for equality in the US.

“I’m committed to listening – to Black employees at YouTube, to Black creators, to Black artists, to leaders in the Black community, and to Black users who tune in to YouTube every day. There is much work to do to advance racial equity in the long term, and these efforts will continue in the months and years ahead,” Wojcicki said.