Apple & Southbank team to support new Black creative talent
Apple has teamed up with the renowned Southbank Centre in a project to support Black creatives in the UK in an extension of the company’s work with its Racial Equity and Justice Initiative (REJI).
Working for racial justice
This is the first Apple REJI initiative to take place in Europe. The project will see Apple and the Southbank Centre working together to support emerging Black talent. That means providing tools, resources, and opportunities for emerging Black talent in the UK.
Apple began working with the Southbank Centre began in summer 2022 when it supported the Southbank Centre’s Photo-Fantastic accelerator programme for aspiring image makers. Fifteen emerging, London-based Black photographers took part, and their work has been exhibited at the Southbank Centre throughout September.
Apple announced the creation of the REJI initiatives in 2020, when he penned a passionate letter in defiance of racism. “The unfinished work of racial justice and equality call us all to account. Things must change, and Apple’s committed to being a force for that change. Today, I’m proud to announce Apple’s Racial Equity and Justice Initiative, with a $100 million commitment,” he said at the time.
The company has invested millions in this principle and recently boosted the initiative with tens of millions of additional investment. The company has regularly supported Black History Month.
How the new UK scheme works
The partnership will launch later this Autumn. It works like this:
- Southbank Centre will provide an intensive, industry-led training and development program to help address and remove the structural barriers Black creatives often face in the creative industries.
- Southbank Centre will collaborate with local schools to spark a passion for creativity among the next generation of talent, providing a powerful experience for participants early in their creative journeys.
These two distinct programs will be offered across three creative hubs in London, Birmingham, and Manchester.
What Apple said
“We all have a part to play when it comes to creating a more equitable world,” said Alisha Johnson, Apple’s director of REJI. “We’re thrilled to support the Southbank Centre’s important work to uplift the next generation of Black creatives and to expand our Racial Equity and Justice Initiative to the UK.”
Announcing the new project, Tim Cook wrote:
As part of our work to address challenges in racial equity and justice, we’re excited to partner with Southbank Centre to increase representation in the arts. This is a wonderful program designed to unlock people’s full creative potential, and we’re thrilled to be a part of it. https://t.co/FKAbGmaCRK
— Tim Cook (@tim_cook) September 26, 2022
What the Southbank Centre said
Elaine Bedell, CEO of the Southbank Centre, added: “At the Southbank Centre, we believe that everyone should have equal access to art and creativity and it’s our founding principle. We’re proud to partner with Apple on their first Racial Equity and Justice Initiative in the UK, to help nurture and grow the pipeline of diverse creative talent across the country.”
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