Apple To Build Developer Academy In Detroit As Part Of $100M Racial Equity Initiative

Apple Inc AAPL announced Wednesday it will open its first Apple Developer Academy in Detroit.

The project is part of Apple's $100-million Racial Equity and Justice initiative.

The company started the initiative last summer after the police killings of Breonna Taylor and George Floyd.

"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," Apple CEO Tim Cook said in a statement.

Why It's Important: One reason Apple selected Detroit as the location is because the city has tens of thousands of small businesses that are owned by minorities.

The company said it hopes that the academy will allow minority entrepreneurs to continue to grow successful businesses in Detroit.

"Detroit has 50,000 small businesses that are owned by Black and Brown owners, and we thought this would match very well with that entrepreneurial spirit and the kind of folks who are rebuilding and building in Detroit," Lisa Jackson, Apple's vice president of Environment, Policy and Social Initiatives, said in a statement.

What's Next: The company will provide two different programs. One is a shorter, more introductory course that spans 30 days, while the other is a more in-depth 10-to-12-month program.

The shorter program will teach students what being a developer entails, while the longer program will aim to fully equip students with the skills and knowledge to be a full-fledged developer.