January 18, 2023
TO UPDATE
In celebration of Black History Month, Apple is releasing new Black Unity collections and content
Apple celebrates Black History Month with exclusive content and curated launches that celebrate Black culture and community. Starting today, customers can show their support with this year’s Black Unity Collection, which includes a special-edition Apple Watch Black Unity Sport Loop and a new matching watch face and iPhone wallpaper. Brand new activations are available starting February – including a series of Apple Maps Guides created by the Smithsonian, TV and Movie Collections created by Dr. Jelani Cobb will be curated, and more. Additionally, through its Racial Equity and Justice Initiative (REJI), Apple is expanding its support of five organizations focused on empowering black and brown communities by unleashing creative potential through technology.
Apple Watch and iPhone
Members of Apple’s Black Creative Community and allies came together to create this year’s Black Unity Collection, designing the new expressions inspired by the creative process of Mosaic, celebrating the vibrancy of Black communities and the power of unity.
The Black Unity Sport Loop has the word “Unity” abstractly woven into the ribbon using red, green and black yarns that pay homage to the Pan-African flag, while a unique yarn layering gives the letters a sense of three-dimensionality. Additionally, the Unity Mosaic watch face contains green, black, red, and yellow geometric shapes, and as the minutes change, each number uses parts of other numbers to morph into new shapes. iPhone users can also show their support with the new Unity wallpaper for their lock screen.
Apple supports the Art Gallery of New South Wales (Sydney), Ghetto Film School (New York, Los Angeles, London), Music Forward (Los Angeles), Shout Mouse Press (Washington, DC) and the National Museum of African American Music (Nashville, Tennessee). Apple’s support for these organizations is a continuation of REJI grants over the past two years, which have helped organizations committed to providing economic, educational and creative opportunities in communities of color.
app store
The App Store will highlight apps and games that develop creative solutions for black communities in areas like music, banking and gaming. These apps and games include Dot’s Home, a 2022 App Store Award-winning game designed to educate users about housing differences experienced in communities of color, and financial wellness apps like Goalsetter, Altro, and CapWay, which Provide community with financial resources. The App Store will also celebrate 50 years of hip-hop culture by spotlighting numerous apps that allow users to listen, see and learn the significance of this creative movement, past and present.
apple music
Apple Music will highlight the myriad ways Black artists have contributed to music and culture through healing, improvisation, reinvention and more across all genres. the For us, by us The playlist will be updated to capture expressions of resilience and resistance, and users can also enjoy new episodes of The message and additional radio programming on Apple Music 1, Country and HITS.
Apple TV app
Viewers can visit the Apple TV app to explore series and films created by Dr. Jelani Cobb, dean of Columbia University School of Journalism and staff writer at The New Yorker. The theme of this year’s collections is “The Matter of Black Lives” and focuses on stories that illustrate three specific pillars: “Freedom in Black”, “Love in defiance” and “The Mosaic”.
Apple Fitness+
Apple Fitness+ will share new workouts with playlists celebrating black artists, as well as a new meditation dedicated to Black History Month, led by Fitness+ trainer JoAnna Hardy. On January 30th, Fitness+ is releasing a new episode of Time to Walk – an audio experience featuring some of the world’s most inspiring people – starring legendary singer Patti LaBelle. On this walk, LaBelle talks about her famous cooking and the powerful role her late sister played in her life. On the same day, Time to Run, an audio running experience with playlists and coaching designed to help users become more consistent and better runners, will debut a new episode featuring Fitness+ trainer Cory Wharton-Malcolm, who will celebrate Black History Month with a South LA Run celebrates songs from the artists who helped popularize hip-hop on the West Coast.
Apple News
Throughout the month, Apple News will feature compelling articles, interviews and audio reports on the experience of Black America, including perspectives and analysis from top journalists. Curated collections feature stories from black-owned newsrooms including Capital B, Essence, NewsOne, Howard University’s The Hilltop and more.
Apple Podcasts
Every day, listeners open Apple Podcasts to hear from the world’s most inspiring and influential voices. And each year, in honor of Black History Month, Apple’s collections help listeners discover creators who provide essential historical context and insightful perspectives on news and culture. Beginning February 1, Apple Podcasts will highlight shows that embody the ubiquity of blackness — the ways black music, media, space, and theory positively influence our understanding of the world and each other — from creators Bridget Todd, Bob the Drag Queen, Monet X Change and Ebro Darden from Apple Music. Listeners will also be able to explore a tailored selection of podcast recommendations created by Black Disruptors – visionaries in their fields who defy the status quo to share beautiful art and innovation – such as environmental activist Leah Thomas, were curated.
Apple books
During Black History Month, Apple Books features its Read More Black Authors Collection that connects readers and listeners with great books and audiobooks across genres.
Apple Maps
The Smithsonian has created a series of guides in Apple Maps to highlight key milestones in the civil rights struggle over the past century (1900–1957, 1960–1978, 1980–2020). Users can browse the guides to learn more about the events, people, and places that shaped the nation’s history.
Prices and Availability
- The Black Unity Sport Loop is available to order on apple.com and in the Apple Store app starting today, and will be available in select Apple Stores beginning January 24 $49 (US).
- The black Unity Sport Loop is available in 41mm and 45mm sizes and is compatible with Apple Watch SE, Apple Watch Series 4 or later, and Apple Watch Ultra (45mm band only).
- The Unity 2023 watch face will be available next week and requires Apple Watch Series 4 or later with watchOS 9.3 and iPhone 8 or later and iPhone SE (2nd generation) or later with iOS 16.3.
- The new Unity iPhone lock screen wallpaper will also be available next week and requires iPhone 8 or later with iOS 16.3.
- Apple Watch Black Unity Sport Loop packaging, Apple Store locations and the Apple Store app have the App Clip feature that allows customers to easily download the matching Unity watch face, or customers can download it from apple.com.
Press Contacts
Apple Media Helpline
(408) 974-2042
