The Apple Developer Academy in Detroit, the only program of its kind in North America, is currently accepting applications for its 2025-2026 cohort, scheduled to begin in August. Since the program’s inception in 2021, Gilbert Family Foundation has served as a leading sponsor of the academy. Their support has enabled and enhanced the success of the program and led to life-changing opportunities for academy graduates.

Established as part of Apple’s Racial Equity and Justice Initiative, in partnership with Michigan State University, the academy provides participants with comprehensive curriculum and the tools needed to build iOS apps that contribute to their local businesses and communities. The academy’s intensive, free 10-month program focuses on equipping students with knowledge and skills in coding, design, marketing, project management and more. The program’s impact extends beyond these 10 months, thanks to support from Gilbert Family Foundation, including a direct talent pipeline into Rocket Companies and other local businesses, entrepreneurial training and more.

“The Apple Developer Academy is one example of how the Gilbert Family Foundation is cultivating one-of-a-kind opportunities that empower Detroit residents to learn, grow and, ultimately, become employed,” said Laura Grannemann, Executive Director of Gilbert Family Foundation. “This program not only educates but also provides graduates a platform to cultivate and demonstrate their skills, network with professional and unlock their full potential.”

Second-Year Renaissance Program Strengthened by Operations School

For the past two years, a select group of participants have been invited to participate in the academy’s second-year Renaissance program, which offers advanced training, mentorship and collaboration opportunities with partner organizations. This year, Gilbert Family Foundation strengthened the Renaissance program through the inclusion of Operations School, a six-month program providing specialized workforce training and entrepreneurship education so graduates can build their own businesses.

According to research from the Progressive Policy Institute, the iOS app economy now supports approximately 2.4 million jobs in the United States. Gilbert Family Foundation’s support for Operations School aims to bring more of these in-demand jobs to Detroit by inspiring the next generation of app developers/entrepreneurs.

 

Connections to Rocket Companies, Community Partners and More

As one of Detroit’s largest employers, Rocket Companies is uniquely positioned to support learners transitioning out of the program. To accomplish this, Gilbert Family Foundation has worked closely with the Rocket Community Fund’s education and employment team and Rocket Companies’ talent acquisition team to provide quality internship and job opportunities.

Cinnamon Ashford and Josh Gomez, graduates of the first-year cohort and former Renaissance interns, are examples of the unique path that graduates can take. Following their graduation from the Apple Developer Academy, both Ashford and Gomez were recruited to work on the mobile app for Venture 313, a $10 million program launched by Gilbert Family Foundation in 2022 to provide Detroit-based entrepreneurs with capital, mentorship and other opportunities.

Following this project, Gomez transitioned into a career with Rocket Mortgage while also continuing to work on BiteSight, a food scanner and nutrition app he developed during his time at the academy. Similarly, Ashford transitioned into a part-time project manager role with a technology vendor supporting Venture 313. For Ashford’s next step, she and two other graduates will join Black Tech Saturdays, a Rocket Community Fund grantee, as technical specialists focused on connecting Detroiters to job opportunities.

“Being a part of the Apple Developer Academy opened many doors for me,” said Ashford. “I’m very excited to be a part of Detroit’s growing tech community and to help more Detroiters connect to these amazing opportunities.”

Maverick Brazill, a current student at the University of Michigan-Dearborn, parlayed his success with the Apple Developer Academy into one of this year’s 350 summer internships with Rocket Companies. Brazill currently interns with one of Rocket’s engineering teams, where his experience at the Academy is already paying off.

“The Apple Developer Academy was the perfect springboard to my internship with Rocket Companies,” said Brazill. “I’m grateful for the opportunity to work with Rocket’s amazing technology team and to learn practical skills from such experienced and innovative professionals.”

Devin Allen, another participant in the first cohort, leveraged his experience to secure a job with StockX, the Detroit-based tech company focused on the large and growing resale market for sneakers, apparel and accessories, electronics, collectibles, and trading cards.

“My favorite part about the Academy experience was learning something new every day and collaborating with other teams on projects,” said Allen. “I fell in love with the energy of downtown Detroit.”

Another Academy participant, Monique Mansfield, now leverages her skills to help others find meaningful employment as the Outreach and Events Coordinator for Detroit At Work, an initiative of the Detroit Employment Solutions Corporation. In her role, Mansfield helps Detroiters remove barriers to employment and find opportunities in the workforce. Mansfield credits the Apple Developer Academy’s staff for connecting her to the role.

“I love tech not only for the opportunities it creates, but how it engages the community.”  said Mansfield. “As I have grown in my career, the Apple Developer Academy has helped me improve my project management skills and technical skills.”

The Apple Developer Academy is free and open to all to apply, regardless of prior coding experience. For more information or to apply, visit developeracademy.msu.edu.