Apple once again supports Black History Month in 2023

Apple has once again put its weight behind Black History Month with new content, curated movies, and a nice Black Unity Apple Watch sport loop, watch face and more.

Almost 100 years fighting for better representation

The first Black History Week took place in the US in 1926, promoted by the acclaimed ‘Father of Black History’, Carter G Woodson. Since 1976, US presidents have officially declared February to be Black History Month in the US. It aims to put the spotlight on the many achievements of humans with African or Caribbean heritage, and the month acts as a bulwark against racism and prejudice.

Apple has pledged to be a force of change against systemic racism. “If this pandemic has taught us anything, I hope it’s that none of us can use injustice’s long history as an excuse not to act,” said Apple CEO, Tim Cook in March 2021.

Beginning in February 23, all-new activations — including a series of Apple Maps Guides created by the Smithsonian, TV and film collections curated by Dr. Jelani Cobb, and more will be available to explore.

Active support for creative advocacy

Apple also says that through its Racial Equity and Justice Initiative (REJI), Apple is expanding its support of five organizations focused on uplifting Black and Brown communities by unlocking creative potential through technology.

The company is supporting Art Gallery of New South Wales (Sydney), Ghetto Film School (New York, Los Angeles, London), Music Forward (Los Angeles), Shout Mouse Press (Washington, D.C.), and The National Museum of African American Music (Nashville, Tennessee).

Apple’s support for these organizations is a continuation of REJI grants over the past two years that helped organizations committed to providing economic, educational, and creative opportunities in communities of color.

Apple Watch and iPhone

Members of Apple’s Black creative community and allies came together to develop this year’s Black Unity Collection.

The Black Unity Sport Loop ($49) features the word “Unity” woven abstractly into the band using red, green, and black yarns that pay homage to the Pan-African flag. There is also a new Unity Mosaic watch face that incorporates geometric shapes in green, black, red, and yellow, the design changes by the minute. iPhone users get the new Unity wallpaper.

Apps and games

The App Store will spotlight apps and games forging creative solutions for Black communities in areas such as music, banking, and gaming. Among these apps and games are Dot’s Home, a 2022 App Store Award-winning game designed to educate users on housing disparities experienced in communities of color.

The App Store will also celebrate 50 years of hip-hop culture by spotlighting numerous apps that allow users to listen, watch, and learn the significance of it.

Naturally, Apple Music will underscore the innumerable ways that Black artists have contributed to music and culture through healing, improvisation, reinvention, and so much more. The For Us, By Us playlist will be updated to capture expressions of resilience and resistance, there will be new episodes of The Message and additional shows on Apple radio channels.

Coming to your TV

The Apple TV app will offer content curated by Dr. Jelani Cobb, dean of the Columbia University School of Journalism and a staff writer at The New Yorker. The theme of this year’s collections is “The Matter of Black Lives,” focusing on stories that illustrate three specific pillars: “Freedom in Black,” “Love in Spite Of,” and “The Mosaic.”

Apple Fitness+

Apple Fitness+ will share new workouts featuring playlists celebrating Black artists, as well as a new meditation dedicated to Black History Month led by Fitness+ trainer JoAnna Hardy. On January 30, Fitness+ will release a new episode of Time to Walk — an audio experience with some of the world’s most inspiring people — featuring legendary singer Patti LaBelle.

Apple News

Apple News will highlight compelling articles, interviews, and audio stories about the Black experience in America, including perspectives and analysis from top journalists. Curated collections will showcase stories from Black-led newsrooms, including Capital B, Essence, NewsOne, Howard University’s The Hilltop, and more.

Apple Podcasts

Beginning February 1, Apple Podcasts will spotlight shows that embody the omnipresence of Blackness — the ways that Black music, media, spaces, and theory positively influence our understanding of the world and one another — from creators Bridget Todd, Bob the Drag Queen, Monét X Change, and Apple Music’s Ebro Darden. 

Apple Books

During Black History Month, Apple Books will showcase its Read More Black Authors collection.

Apple Maps

The Smithsonian created a series of Guides in Apple Maps to spotlight key landmarks in the struggle for civil rights over the past century (1900-1957, 1960-1978, 1980-2020). Users can explore the Guides to learn more about the events, people, and places that have shaped the nation’s history.

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