HBCU hackathon brings top teams to Charlotte

BLACK ENTERPRISE

The 10th annual Black Enterprise BE Smart Hackathon, which includes coding competition and tech job recruitment, is in Charlotte through Nov. 8.

Students from 43 historically Black colleges will gather in Charlotte for coding competition and tech job recruitment.

The 10th annual Black Enterprise BE Smart Hackathon will bring together 310 students from across the country through Nov. 6-8. The hackathon at LeMeridien Charlotte, themed “Built Brilliant. Built Different: 10 Years of Elevating Excellence,” celebrates a decade of innovation, collaboration, and empowerment through technology. 

The hackathon is a platform for computer engineering, computer science, and cybersecurity majors to showcase their talent — as connecting directly to tech internships and full-time job opportunities.

“As the technology industry continues to evolve, the demand for skilled professionals is higher than ever, and Black Enterprise recognizes the importance of nurturing the talent that already exists within HBCUs,” Black Enterprise CEO Earl “Butch” Graves Jr. said in a statement. “As artificial intelligence becomes part of everyday life, we’re proving that HBCU students are the original AI — authentically intelligent.”

The hackathon includes 62 teams from 43 HBCUs, including Johnson C. Smith, North Carolina A&T State and Shaw universities in North Carolina as well as Benedict College and Claflin University in South Carolina. 

The 2024 winner, Protégé from Spelman College, is in the field as well as Philander Smith University and Talladega College. 

Morgan State University, the only school to participate in the nine previous hackathons, earned the highest technical score in 2024.

During the 24-hour coding challenge, sponsors will provide mentors and real-world problem statements. Teams will be evaluated on innovation, usability, technical complexity, and pitch delivery. 

Winners will receive prizes and recruitment opportunities with major companies in tech and finance.

Comments