Apple selects 15 Black- and Brown-owned businesses

These innovative companies from across the US are working on environmental solutions

 Apple selects 15 Black- and Brown-owned businesses
These innovative companies from across the US are working on environmental solutions

(Black PR Wire) CUPERTINO, CALIFORNIA -- Apple today
unveiled its first class of 15 Black and Brown-owned businesses on
the cutting edge of green technology and clean energy, who will join the company’s Impact Accelerator to support equity and opportunity in the environmental sector. Part of Apple’s Racial Equity and Justice Initiative, this program will help to combat systemic barriers to opportunity, while also advancing innovative solutions for communities most impacted by climate change.

The 15 businesses are based across the US — from Silicon Valley in California, to Detroit, Michigan, to tribal nations across the Midwest — and driving innovation in energy efficiency, solar, green chemistry, recycling, and other environmental areas. Many share a specific focus on bringing clean energy, opportunity, and vital services to vulnerable and underserved communities.

“We are thrilled to welcome our first Impact Accelerator class, and
look forward to seeing how these innovative businesses will expand
their work to protect the planet and our communities,” said Lisa
Jackson, Apple’s vice president of Environment, Policy, and Social
Initiatives. “On our journey to our 2030 carbon neutral goal for
our supply chain and products, we’re determined to help create a
greener and more equitable future for all people. The businesses we’re partnering with today are poised to become tomorrow’s diverse and innovative industry leaders, creating ripples of change to help communities everywhere adapt to the urgent challenges posed by climate change.”

Selected companies will participate in customized training, and have access to Apple experts and an alumni community. The
Impact Accelerator is tailored to support Black-, Brown-, and Native
American and Indigenous-owned businesses that share Apple’s focus on innovation and commitment to the environment as they achieve their next stage of development. Following the three-month virtual program, the companies will be considered for opportunities to act as suppliers to Apple as it works to become carbon neutral for its supply chain and products by 2030.

The Companies: BlocPower, Founder and CEO: Donnel Baird; Climate Technology Company in Brooklyn, NY

Mosaic Global Transportation, Founder, President, and CEO:
Maurice H. Brewster; Transportation Firm in San Jose, CA

Volt Energy Utility, Co-Founder and CEO: Gilbert Campbell III;
Utility-Solar Energy Development Firm in Washington, D.C.

Bench-Tek Solutions, Founder and CEO: Maria Castellon;
Manufacturing and Automation Company in Santa Clara, CA

GreenTek Solutions, Founder and CEO: Anuar Garcia; Recycling and Reuse Company in Houston, TX Diversified Chemical
Technologies, Inc., President and Chief Financial Officer: Karl
Johnson; Chemical Safety Firm in Detroit, Michigan

Oceti Sakowin Power Authority, Chairman and Head of the Board of
Directors: Lyle Jack; Clean Energy Developer in Tribal Regions Across the Dakotas

Vericool, Inc., Founder and CEO: Darrell Jobe; Packaging and
Shipment Company in Livermore, CA

Dunamis Clean Energy Partners, Founder and CEO: Natalie King;
Environmental Solutions Company in Southfield, MI

VMX International, Founder, President, and CEO: Vickie Lewis;
Environmental Services Company in Detroit, MI

Argent Associates, Founder, President, and CEO: Beatriz
Manetta: Technology Consultancy in Plano, TX

Inspectorio, Co-Founders: Carlos Moncayo and David Klein;
Supply Chain Solutions Firm in Minneapolis, MN

Group O, CEO: Gregg Ontiveros; Supply Chain Solutions Firm in
Milan, IL

RFG-MPW Environmental & Facility Services, Chairman and
CEO: Roderick Rickman; Industrial Cleaning and Environmental Service Firm in Detroit, MI

L2S Engineering, LLC, Founder: Laurie Ann Sibani; Mechanical,
Electrical, and Plumbing Engineering Design Firm in Leesburg, VA and Apollo Beach, FL

For more information about Apple’s commitment to protecting
the environment, visit apple.com/ environment.

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