Capitol News

The Apple Developer Academy celebrated its third graduating class today, empowering nearly 200 Detroiters with the skills to excel in the city’s rapidly expanding tech sector.

This partnership between Apple and Michigan State University, supported by the Gilbert Family Foundation, offers a free, intensive 10-month program focused on coding, design, marketing, project management, and newly introduced curriculum for artificial intelligence technologies and frameworks. The academy prioritizes inclusivity, encouraging a diverse range of students aged 18 to over 70 to develop innovative tech solutions that address local community needs.

As part of the Gilbert Family Foundation and Rocket Community Fund’s $500 million, 10-year commitment to Detroit, the Apple Developer Academy goes beyond providing training. It fosters a direct talent pipeline that connects graduates with internships and career opportunities at local businesses throughout Detroit. This strengthens the city’s tech ecosystem and creates pathways to economic mobility for Detroiters.

“The Apple Developer Academy is a perfect example of how we’re supporting Detroiters to build skills that will help them get paid,” said Laura Grannemann, executive director of the Gilbert Family Foundation. “Detroit is rapidly becoming one of the nation’s leading technology hubs, and the academy’s graduates are uniquely equipped to take advantage of the city’s growth. The success of this year’s graduates is a testament to the potential that exists within our city when we remove traditional barriers to access.”

The academy represents one aspect of Michigan State University’s increasing presence in Detroit and effort to expand throughout the state.

“The Apple Developer Academy empowers students with innovative problem-solving skills and cutting-edge technology,” said Dave Weatherspoon, vice provost of Michigan State University. “MSU is proud to participate in a program that prioritizes equity and accessibility, equipping Detroiters with the tools to develop apps that address critical challenges. These students bring essential, often overlooked perspectives that will lead to better solutions for the future.”

Established as part of Apple’s Racial Equity and Justice Initiative (REJI), the academy's comprehensive curriculum equips students with knowledge needed to build iOS apps contributing to their local businesses and communities.

“It’s exciting to see the impactful ideas that students at the Apple Developer Academy are building,” said Alisha Johnson Wilder, director of REJI. “We created REJI with the goal of further advancing our work to build an equitable world. These students continue proving that with technology and greater access to resources so much is possible. We can’t wait to see how this year’s graduating class continues making a positive impact in Detroit and beyond.”

Dezmond Blair, a graduating student at the academy who is now a coding mentor at Foundations program plans on continuing building apps with particular interest in visionOS – Apple's spatial computing platform for Vision Pro. Blair was also recognized as a 2024 Swift Student Challenge Distinguished Winner for his app project MTB-XTREME.

“The Apple Developer Academy has truly put me on path towards becoming world-class developer,” said Blair. “I’m looking forward utilizing my knowledge creating publishing own apps working likeminded developers create experiences changing world.”

To further support graduates’ career paths fifty exceptional students will continue training second-year Renaissance program offering advanced training mentorship collaboration opportunities local organizations including Detroit Historical Museum interior design studio Parini sustainable boutique retailer eugenie Detroit MSU Museum while many academy graduates already secured positions prominent companies Renaissance learners encouraged consider launching own businesses participating Operations School six-month program providing specialized workforce training entrepreneurship education equipping graduates not only technical skills but business acumen needed build own tech ventures

Detroit residents aged eighteen older encouraged apply next cohort Apple Developer Academy free open all regardless prior coding experience Learn more or apply for Apple Developer Academy