What you need to know
- Apple is launching its first US Developer Academy in Detroit later this year.
- It will offer a curriculum for Black entrepreneurs, creators, and coders in partnership with Michigan State University.
- The course is now accepting applications for both students and mentors.
Apple's Developer Academy in Detroit is accepting applications for both students and mentors for its program, which will begin on October 4, 2021.
Apple announced the move in January as part of its $100 million Racial Equity and Justice Initiative. From the release:
Later this year, Apple will open an Apple Developer Academy in Detroit — the first of its kind in the US. Detroit has a vibrant Black entrepreneur and developer community, with over 50,000 Black-owned businesses, according to US Census data. The academy is designed to empower young Black entrepreneurs, creators, and coders, helping them cultivate the skills necessary for jobs in the rapidly growing iOS app economy. Launched in collaboration with Michigan State University, Apple Developer Academy courses will be open to all learners across Detroit, regardless of their academic background or whether they have any previous coding experience.
Applications are now open for students and mentors for the one-year program. Students 18 or over can sign up to learn about the Apple ecosystem, coding, design, entrepreneurship, and professional skills. There is also a month-long program for people curious about the possibility of the career path.
You can apply at Michigan State University's website, from the posting:
The Academy is open to all, with a priority for Detroit residents. Each student at the Academy is unique. We are looking for passionate and creative individuals with a variety of backgrounds, big ideas, and motivation to participate. You don't need to have a background in coding, design, or entrepreneurship to be a student in the Academy. Academy students are problem-solvers who are not afraid of tackling the world's toughest challenges, are ready to learn, and want to make an impact.
There are no prerequisites to the program and it is totally free, with equipment provided to students. The application requires uploading a brief video, submissions must be made by June 30.
The program is also looking for mentors in Business and Marketing, Design, and Coding:
Michigan State University is looking to bring highly motivated and diverse mentors with industry and/or academic experience to the Apple Developer Academy. Successful candidates need to be critical thinkers in a fast-paced, flexible environment and work with the mentor team to create new learning experiences for students in the Apple Developer Academy and associated Foundations Program.
According to the listings, the year-long program will begin on October 4, 2021, and run until August 2 next year. Students will attend for 20 hours a week Monday-Friday in either the morning or the afternoon.
