Digital Music News (DMN) reports on the growing efforts in support of racial justice. The new entrants in establishing funds to that effect are YouTube and Apple.
YouTube’s plans were announced by its CEO Susan Wojciciki in as “mid-year update” blog. For its part, Apple prepared a four-minute video clip, with Apple CEO Tim Cook announcing the plan.
YouTube’s $100 million pledge will be “dedicated to amplifying and developing the voices of black creators and artists and their stories.” At the moment though, no further details are available about the distribution of the funds themselves.
YouTube will organize an Original fundraiser entitled Bear Witness, Take Action. As DMN notes, the live stream will invite activists, creators, artists, and others to participate in a roundtable conversation about race, and a portion of the guests – presumably the artists – will provide live musical performances.
YouTube will organize one more connected activity on its “Spotlight” channel. During June 2020 the channel will “explore contemporary race issues and promoting content that showcases incredibly important stories about the centuries-long fight for equity.”
In his video message, Tim Cook said that “the $100 million Initiative will begin with investments in the United States, though a global expansion is being planned presently.” The fund will “support a variety of programs and organizations, with a particular emphasis on education (including historically black universities and community colleges), economic equality, and reforming the criminal justice sphere.”
Cook also announced his intention to “form a new developer entrepreneurial camp for black individuals, increase spending with black-owned partners and suppliers, and take steps to enhance diversity on the Apple team.”
