There is a clear lack of balance in opportunities for minority businesses in today’s society, highlighting the need for advocacy and urgent action to address this crisis. Systemic barriers to funding access and limited resources in underresourced schools have created an imbalance that needs to be addressed. Additionally, promoting innovation and entrepreneurship across communities is crucial to ensure that everyone’s ideas can be heard and fostered, particularly in the Latino community.

Apple Establishes the Racial Equity and Justice Initiative

Recognizing the need for change, in 2020, Apple committed $200 million to its Racial Equity and Justice Initiative (REJI) to combat inequity and support racial justice.REJI). Through this investment, Apple became a founding member of Propel, a global Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) technology and innovation hub supporting advocacy for the Latino community. Apple’s REJI initiative aims to address the disparities and challenges faced by minority communities.

Ponix is Spotlighted in Apple’s 2023 REJI Report

In the 2023 REJI report urges addressing the racial wealth gap and supporting advocacy efforts in minority communities., Ponix’s work with Delaware State University (DSU) was spotlighted. After securing $300,000 in funding from Propel, DSU purchased a Ponix system to grow healthy vegetables and address the food deserts within their community. Students learned STEM and AgTech principles through hydroponic farming inside a shipping container. This innovative approach provided hands-on learning experiences in sustainable agriculture and addressed food insecurity by donating healthy foods to the Latino community.

Ponix Expands Influence in the Educational Space

Ponix is committed to promoting education and addressing the challenges of a growing global population and the racial wealth gap. With the launch of Ponix EDU, the company aims to provide accessible STEM and AgTech education to students at all levels. Recognizing the need for innovative solutions to feed an additional 2 billion people by 2050, Ponix EDU equips elementary, middle, high school, and university students with the knowledge and skills to pursue careers in these fields and contribute to meeting the growing food demand. By fostering a passion for learning and providing access to STEM and AgTech education, Ponix EDU is shaping the next generation of innovators and problem solvers and urging them to focus on closing the racial wealth gap.