Apple and Propel Center will host an accelerator program for HBCU students

Apple and Propel Center will host 50 students from 19 HBCUs as a part of the humanities and entertainment industry accelerator program.

The Propel Center was launched by Apple and Southern Company three years ago to enhance the work of HBCUs and their students. According to the program it will start June 10 at Tennessee State University and will conclude at Clark Atlanta University in Atlanta the week of June 16.

Participants will use Apple products and technologies to create music and album art and use digital marketing principles to inform stories, in addition to take part in profession discussions, socialize with industry experts and profit from CV constructing workshops.

“Creativity is central to everything we do at Apple, and we’re excited to help create more pathways into the arts and entertainment industries for HBCU students,” said Alisha Johnson Wilder, director of the Racial Equity and Justice Initiative at Apple. “Through Propel Center programs, we help expand opportunities for emerging creatives from diverse backgrounds, ensuring these talented students have access to the technology, resources and expertise they need to become leaders in the creative arts.”

Propel Center President Lisa Herring added: “Harnessing the undeniable power of creativity and collaboration has enabled the Propel Center and Apple to create a nurturing and inspiring environment to develop the many talents of our HBCU students. This year’s accelerator signifies Apple and our industry partners’ continued commitment to help close equality and diversity gaps in the arts and entertainment industries and other key business sectors.”

Apple has not backed down from its commitment to social justice, as evidenced by the Racial Equality and Justice Initiative (REIJ). Apple’s support for each the Propel Center and the 2024 Arts and Entertainment Industry Accelerator is an element of this broad set of programs and policies established to support Black, Latino and Indigenous communities.

“We launched the program with a $100 million commitment and have since more than doubled our commitment to over $200 million,” he says Apple’s REIJ 2023 Impact Review. “This funding supports projects and partnerships in three priority areas: education, economic empowerment and criminal justice reform. These are areas where we have historically seen a disproportionate impact on underresourced communities.”