Apple Inc. CEO Had A Private Meeting With Rev. Jesse Jackson

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Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) CEO Tim Cook held a private meeting with Rev. Jesse Jackson on Monday, according to the civil rights leader. Jackson told USA TODAY that he is impressed with Cook and his conversation. Also, according to Jackson, Cook has a real vision for Apple and sees the value in inclusiveness.

Apple supports diversity

Apple spokeswoman Kristen Huguet said the company firmly supports diversity within the organization and believes in the advancement of human rights around the world. Huguet said the meeting with Rev. Jackson ended on a positive note, and the company values his input. Additionally, Huguet said they are keen to work with him.

“We look forward to working with him, our employees, customers and other stakeholders as we look for ways to do more,” said Huguet.

Cook has given more weight to diversity and equality, as he recently came out as gay. The Apple CEO, in his letter declaring his sexuality, said the company will continue to take a strong stand on furthering workplace equality.

Jackson meets heads of top tech firms

At present, Jackson is in the Bay Area where his organization, the Rainbow PUSH Coalition, is organizing a workshop on how to address the racial gap in high tech. The workshop is being hosted at Intel Corporation (NASDAQ:INTC)’s headquarters. On Thursday, Jackson will also participate in a rally that will be staged in front of Apple’s headquarters in Cupertino, and the labor leader, as well as service workers, will talk about the wealth gap in Silicon Valley.

Jackson is heading a campaign to question high tech companies on how they are taking care of the problem related to the lack of women, blacks and Hispanics in the workplace. Before Cook, Jackson met with Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) CEO Satya Nadella and had a meeting scheduled with Intel CEO Brian Krzanich.

Last month, NBC Bay Area reported that the United Service Works West and Rev. Jackson asked Apple to create a better workplace for security guards, who are paid $19.77 per hour on average. In a recent report from the Valleywag titled “The Non-White Workers of Silicon Valley Get Screwed Every Day,” Apple and other big companies in Silicon Valley were slammed.

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