Apple diversity head sorry for comments

THE first ever vice-president of diversity for Apple has apologised for saying “white, blue-eyed, blond men” can be as diverse as a team which includes women and people of colour.

Denise Young Smith, who is herself African American, told a conference in Colombia that diversity did not necessarily mean a range of skin colours or gender.

“Diversity is the human experience,” she said. “I get a little bit frustrated when diversity is tagged to people of colour, or women, or LGBT. There can be 12 white, blueeyed, blond men in a room and they’re going to be diverse too because they’re going to bring a different experiences and perspectives.”

But she later apologised. “I regret the choice of words I used to make this point,” she wrote in an email to colleagues. “I understand why some people took offence. My comments were not representative of how I think about diversity or how Apple sees it. For that, I’m sorry.”

Ms Smith, described as the most powerful black woman in Silicon Valley, added: “I want to assure you Apple’s view and our dedication to diversity has not changed.”