Apple launching Black History Month collections, content
Apple has announced it is going to launch several new and updated collections and exclusive content to celebrate Black History Month this February.
Black History Month originated in the United States, where it was first celebrated in 1970. It has received official recognition from governments in the US and Canada, where it was first celebrated in 1995. Among the nations that also observe it include Ireland, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom, with all the three countries celebrating it in October instead.
The Apple Black History Month content and collections this February are aimed at highlighting and amplifying black businesses, artists, creators and developers.
As part of the launch, there will be curated features across the App Store, the Apple TV app, Apple Music, Apple Podcasts and Apple Books. Moreover, Apple is bringing customers new Apple Maps Guides, Today at Apple sessions, the Apple Watch Black Unity Collection and more.
The App Store Black History Month Hub will feature black-owned businesses, gaming apps and social justice apps. Also featured will be black developers and entertainment, along with stories with black developers talking about the significance of representation in games and apps, with creators from Zynga and ustwo games.
On the Apple TV app, the “Essential: Stories That Honor Black Families” collection will feature curated sets of television shows and movies that explore fatherhood, queer chosen families, motherhood, iconic TV families and more. Available for free will be “The Oprah Conversation” episodes “Caste: Part 1” and “Caste: Part 2” that feature Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and author Isabel Wilkerson and her book, “Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents.”
Apple Music will launch a month-long experience, also across Apple Music TV and Apple Music radio, to spotlight some of the most extraordinary musicians spanning hip hop, blues, jazz, soul, R&B, gospel and pop. Also featured will be curated playlists, original videos, essays and more from black musicians, influencers, directors and writers, including Naomi Campbell, Jaden Smith, Erykah Badu, Common, John Legend, Ava DuVernay and Tracee Ellis Ross.
Apple Podcasts will be featuring shows from powerful black voices, including Baratunde Thurston, Michele Obama, Phoebe Robinson and Joe Budden. Moreover, a collection of shows from global creators sharing thoughtful interpretations of black families and an extended promotion of “Seizing Freedom” from Virginia Public Media will be featured. “Seizing Freedom” documents the struggle to define freedom after a 400-year period of slavery.
On Apple Books, there will be a broad new collection that highlights great audiobooks as well as books by black writers across several different genres.
Apple is also going to offer curated Apple Maps Guides that were created in collaboration with Brooklyn, New York-based black-owned business directory app EatOkra.
Teaming up with design group It’s Nice That, Today at Apple is hosting New World, a program of practical online sessions and step-by-step lessons studying the power of creativity to bring about change. This February, curator and author Kimberly Drew will be moderating sessions led by black creatives to discuss their creative practices and sources of inspiration. The creatives; including typographer Tré Seals, creative director-filmmaker-photographer Joshua Kissi and visual artist-photographer-educator Shan Wallace; will also be demonstrating and teaching one specific technique or skill. (You can sign up at apple.co/new-world).
The Apple Watch Black Unity Collection includes a limited-edition Apple Watch Series 6, a Unity watch face and the Black Unity Sport Band.
