Charlotte Hosts Historic HBCU Smart Hackathon to Promote Diversity in Tech

Charlotte Shines with HBCU Smart Hackathon!

Hey there, Charlotte! Something super exciting just happened in our city that’s grabbing everyone’s attention. American Airlines, alongside Black Enterprise, hosted a fantastic national coding competition right in the heart of Charlotte. This event was a first of its kind, bringing together a vibrant mix of students from historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) for the ninth annual Smart Hackathon. It all went down from November 14-17 at the Charlotte City Center Marriott and boy, was it a sight to behold!

What’s the Big Deal?

Now, let’s dive into why this event is such a huge deal. In a time where technology jobs are booming, it’s essential that the workforce reflects the diversity of our communities. A recent report from the National Science Foundation shared that Black Americans made up only 9% of the STEM workforce in 2021, and while that’s an increase from 7% in 2011, there’s still a long way to go. That’s where the Smart Hackathon comes into play. Derek Dingle, the executive vice president over at Black Enterprise, hit the nail on the head when he explained that one of the major goals of this hackathon is to open up tech opportunities for students, aligning them with industries that need skills now and in the future.

What’s Cooking in the Hackathon Kitchen?

Each participating HBCU submitted teams of five students ready to battle it out creatively. For schools with fewer applicants, they teamed up to form a group. These young tech whizzes rolled up their sleeves and got to work, creating apps that didn’t just wow the judges but also aimed to tackle real-world problems. Judges—who were a star-studded lineup from American Airlines, Black Enterprise, and leading tech experts—eagerly evaluated entries based on criteria including social impact, creative problem-solving, and overall viability of their creations.

But Wait, There’s More!

Of course, it’s not just about the glory of victory; there were scholarships and nifty prizes up for grabs too! Think American Airlines flight miles, shiny drones, high-tech headphones, and laptops! The competitive spirit was fierce as junior and senior computer science and engineering students vied for some serious bragging rights.

Networking and Growth

This event wasn’t just a competition, though. It served as an incredible networking opportunity. Students rubbed shoulders with big names in various industries, including event partners like Lowe’s, Fidelity Investments, and the City of Charlotte. Plus, the attendees took part in financial literacy seminars, bringing an all-around value to their experience. It’s about building skills but also about making those connections that matter in the journey ahead. As Dingle sums it up, “This is a chance for the students to build their skills, make contacts, and advance their professional careers.”

Voices from the Ground

One of the participants who knows the impact of this event firsthand is Tasia Bolling, a graduate of Johnson C. Smith University. She participated in the hackathon in 2020 as a back-end developer. Although her team didn’t take home the top prize, she felt the experience was invaluable. Tasia emphasized that the hackathon goes beyond just coding – it’s about forming a community, networking with peers, and ensuring that students can forge meaningful connections with each other. “This hackathon is more than just coding,” she said. “It’s about building your community and being able to connect with other students.”

Looking Ahead

Charlotte is glowing with pride over this impactful event, which brings to light the enormous potential within our HBCU students. This is just the beginning, and with each year that passes, the Smart Hackathon continues to pave the way for future Black tech leaders. So here’s to more events like this that not only empower our students but also drive home the importance of inclusion and diversity in the tech world.

So let’s keep rooting for our students and supporting initiatives that foster their growth! With united efforts, we can all contribute to a thriving future.