Apple Launches Inaugural Entrepreneur Camp for Black Founders and Developers

Apple has officially announced the latest program under its $100 million USD Racial Equity and Justice Initiative. The tech giant has selected founders and teams from 13 app companies for the inaugural class for the Entrepreneur Camp for Black Founders and Developers.

As a part of Apple’s ongoing efforts “to empower the Black community and dismantle barriers to opportunity,” the company is hoping the program will provide developers the opportunity to grow their existing apps and master new technical skills. The program is designed to help these young Black creators apply a critical lens on app user experience, offer assistance through hands-on technology labs, as well as offer one-to-one coding guidance with Apple experts and engineers.

The company partnered with Harlem Capital, a New York-based firm that invests in diverse founders. Lisa Jackson, Apple’s VP of Environment, Policy and Social Initiatives commented on those selected saying, “These incredible app creators and business leaders embody the entrepreneurial spirit that runs so deep in the Black community. 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.” The partnership aims to help build the next generation of diverse leaders in communities of color nationwide.

Amongst those taking part in the Entrepreneur Camp are David Bosun-Arebuwa, the founder of the B3am app which uses an iPhone camera to recognize gym equipment and explain how to use the product, and Adam Taylor, founder of Black which surfaces “culturally relevant and multifaceted news” for the Black community. Additionally, Aurelia Edwards joins the class as the co-founder and CEO of Nailstry, the first marketplace that solely focuses on press-on nails and nail art.

Apple’s first Entrepreneur Camp was in 2019 and featured a class of female app founders and developers. Apple claims that all participants went on to land the funding and earn recognition.

Apple first announced the racial equity pledge in June 2020 and celebrated Black History Month with a special edition release of the Apple Watch Black Unity Collection.

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