RALEIGH – Apple has said it’s committed to building a more diverse tech workforce. Now it gets to prove it in the Triangle’s backyard.

Even before the tech giant announced on Monday plans for a $1 billion east coast hub in RTP, it had touched base with some local HBCUs and community leaders to discuss what it could mean for the community here.

The area boasts three Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) alone. There’s another eight scattered around the state, making North Carolina among the nation’s states with the most HBCUs.

“I was speechless when Apple reached out to me,” said Dr. Paulette Dillard, president and CEO of Shaw University, who spoke with Apple officials by phone ahead of the announcement.

“Shaw University applauds Apple’s strong commitment to create jobs for underserved communities in North Carolina.”

Dr. Paulette Dillard

In the wake of George Floyd’s murder and the nation’s racial reckoning that continues today, Apple committed $100 million to a Racial Equity and Justice Initiative back in June.

The company also partnered with Saint Augustine’s University in Raleigh and other HBCUs to announce the creation of the Propel Center in Atlanta — an educational tech hub for Black colleges. And it added a slew of new HBCU regional coding centers as part of its Community Education Initiative (CEI), initially launched three years ago.

But now that Apple is setting up shop here in RTP, many are watching closely to see how they plan to follow up.

“We believe they will fulfill promises just as they have in the past,” said Dillard, pointing out that Shaw University already has an existing partnership with Apple as one of its tech hubs in its CEI initiative.

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While she didn’t talk specifics with Apple during the call, she said she looks forward to “remaining engaged” with Apple in the coming months to help them understand the needs of local HBCUs — “especially the needs of underrepresented graduates entering the workforce.”

“If any state can be a model for diversity and inclusion, North Carolina certainly can,” she said.

Cautious optimism

While there is a general sense of optimism at the news, others are slightly more muted.

“On the surface, it looks like a great opportunity for North Carolina and the highly motivated and qualified technical professionals we have,” said Donna M. Grant, Ph.D., an associate professor at North Carolina Central University’s (NCCU) School of Business in Durham.

“We greatly appreciate the attention to diverse hires, particularly in technology roles.”

But expectations are high.

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“I would love to see Apple work directly with us at NCCU and our academic programming to ensure we are preparing students to master the skillsets that are required for success with Apple,” she said.”We invite their insight into our curriculum and would love their presence in our classrooms, with co-curricular engagements, and through internship programs.”

Community leader Katie Gailes, who works cultivating local talent and getting minority-owned businesses off the ground, said she’s also tempering her enthusiasm.

“How these pledges are translated into real impact on the ground depends on the business model and how the projects are implemented and monitored,” she said. “I say we celebrate the statements, and watch the implementation with hope and optimism.”

Greg Boone

‘Wait and see’ approach

Greg Boone is co-CEO of Blue Acorn iCi, an e-commerce consulting firm. He’s also a Durham native and graduate from NC A&T State University, an HBCU based in Greensboro, NC.

“As someone born and raised [here] and seen the rise of the tech industry here over the past couple of decades, I couldn’t be more thrilled,” he told TechWire.

“The number of jobs, the impact it will have on the surrounding universities, the community, the innovative culture, this is an amazing turning point for the RTP area and NC in general.”

“I personally feel like Apple’s announcement will create a tech gold rush in the area, and we will see an influx of talent from outside of Research Triangle and even the state,” he added.

On the flipside, he also wants to hold Apple to its word.

“Truth of the matter is, diverse companies outperform their competition. I’m definitely hoping for transparency on this. We should track and measure the progress of this. We will have to see how unwavering their commitment to diversity actually is, in the coming months and years.”

Local exec Amie Thompson is also taking a “wait and see” approach.

“I am curious about how this type of investment will impact underserved communities in the long run,” said the CEO of Creative Allies, a Raleigh-based marketing firm.

Creative Allies CEO Amie Thompson.

“High-paying jobs are great but not if they are only filled by people from outside of our state. It’s important to me that after the excitement of this wears down, the impact on the people in our state is visible and reaches the NC citizens that need help the most.”

For the time being, however, most are willing to give Apple some time to prove itself.

“It’s great for the area,” said Bill Spruill, CEO and founder of Global Data Consortium.

“It will both help to train new talent but also to attract experienced talent as well. The more talent in the region the easier it is to recruit for my own businesses.”

Added Donald Thompson, Triangle investor and entrepreneur and CEO of Walk West: “Apple is synonymous with innovation. Apple’s decision to build a new campus in RTP is further evidence that our state is ready to lead in the digital economy. Congratulations to all who supported this game changing economic development win for our state.”