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Apple celebrating diversity in Cupertino with several employee events this week

Diversity

Yesterday, Apple released its first ever diversity report and a letter from CEO Tim Cook explaining Apple’s approach to diversity and inclusion and its importance at Apple. The report details several facts, including that 55% of Apple’s United States workforce is white and only 30% of the Apple workforce is female.

Writing about the report, Cook said, “I’m not satisfied with the numbers on this page. They’re not new to us, and we’ve been working hard for quite some time to improve them.” In a move to further promote diversity and inclusion within Apple’s culture, Apple is holding several events this week at its Cupertino headquarters, according to sources…

The first event, held earlier today was a talk by Los Angeles Unified School District Teacher of the Year and the lead teacher of Foshay Learning Center’s Technology Academy Leslie Aaronson, a student, and a member of Apple’s Worldwide Developer Relations team. The subject of the talk was “inspiring the next generation of tech talent.”

This session makes sense as a move for Apple to promote the hiring of more women in technology-related roles within the company. This push is nothing new for Apple, as the 2014 Worldwide Developers Conference earlier this year promoted women in tech through various scholarships to attend the San Francisco-based conference.

Sources say that an interesting session held by Apple executives as well as a celebratory beer bash will be held tomorrow. Apple executives including Michael Tchao (the Vice President of iPad Marketing) and Jacky Haynes (a lead executive in Apple’s operations department) will talk about their life experiences.

The beer bash, which is basically like a party that will surely include a popular band, will serve various foods and wine. The vegetable samosas and potato knishes on the menu sound particularly tasty, and the wines are said to be sourced from female winemakers.

Friday’s events will include an Apple University course discussing Martin Luther King Jr. and his impact as well as a session led by Apple employees with music sold on iTunes.

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Comments

  1. Computer_Whiz123 - 10 years ago

    Now THAT is how you make quality products!

    • myke2241 - 10 years ago

      I’m black and notice right away only one black dude in the picture. and where is he standing, really!!!!

  2. Taste_of_Apple - 10 years ago

    Reblogged this on Taste of Apple Tech and commented:
    This is a good step toward building a better Apple. Showing pride in it’s employees helps them feel valued. Celebrating together will lead to greater kinship and further collaboration.

  3. throwthatham - 10 years ago

    How nice for them. What about the rest of us?

    • flaviosuave - 10 years ago

      Do you mean white males? If so, you can just keep banking on the incredible inherent advantages you already enjoy in our society on a daily basis, and bask in the warm, reflected glow of the glass ceiling beneath your feet.

  4. Jerry Donel - 10 years ago

    Just one more insult to people of color — Tim Cook ought to be ashamed of himself! And Apple University discussing Martin Luther King Jr.?? GIVE ME A BREAK!

  5. herb02135go - 10 years ago

    gag me.

  6. Mark Granger - 10 years ago

    Either that is a prop or Tim Cook is Iron Man. Those Mac Pros are HEAVY!

  7. Where is Dr Dre??

  8. Litang Chen - 10 years ago

    Cook: I am pleasure to introduce
    Apple`s newest product, “iCinerary Urn” XDDD

  9. Art Collins (@acollins94) - 10 years ago

    One must always keep in mind that the 55% White number is in the USA, where the number is likely relative to the US population. It’s so easy to be critical when you simply take a number and try to statistically analyze what you believe meets your personal bias. People should give it a rest, as Apple is a diverse company, considering the employee mix worldwide, and all this does is put fuel on a fire that isn’t necessary.

  10. Jim Trikakis - 10 years ago

    Wonder if there is any data showing how many Non-white people has created products (and services) that was new or revolutionary in the past 100 years? Hiring someone is one thing, but building a product by taking the risk seems to be a better gauge than just hiring people to reach some magical diversity number.