Apple commits $100 million to racial equity programs while disclosing its own diversity hiring record The tech giant says 53% of its new hires in the U.S. are from historically underrepresented groups. Apple employees attended an event about Apple's new campus announcement in Austin in December 2018.(Ricardo Brazziell / AP) By Tribune News Service As Apple continues its rapid growth in Austin, the tech giant says it’s strengthening its national investments in education, technology and venture funding programs as part of a goal to combat injustice faced by communities of color. The donations are part of a $100 million racial equity and justice initiative designed to reduce barriers and provide opportunities for people of color across the country. The programs are the first identified by the company since announcing its intentions in June, as social justice protests erupted around the country.