November 1, 2023
The annual BE Smart Hackathon is gearing up for its eighth year! Let the competition begin.
The annual BE Smart Hackathon is gearing up for its eighth year! Let the competition begin.
Hosted by American Airlines, the upcoming four-day event boasts the largest gathering of HBCU students to date, all poised to become leaders in the tech industry. A group of 180 students have been selected to meet at the American Airline headquarters in Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas, from Thursday, Nov. 2 to Sunday, Nov. 5. Along the way, the BE Smart Hackathon promises these dynamic minds a memorable experience around this year’s theme, “No Code No Switch,” and myriad life-changing opportunities.
Earl “Butch” Graves Jr., president and CEO of BLACK ENTERPRISE, has witnessed the impact of the ever-evolving technology industry. “The demand for skilled professionals is higher than ever, and BE recognizes the importance of nurturing the talent that already exists within HBCUs,” he stated in a press release.
Graves continued: “This event, in partnership with American Airlines, is a testament to our unwavering commitment to fostering diversity in the tech industry and ensuring that HBCU students have access to the opportunities and mentorship they need to excel in their careers.”
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Since its inception, the BE Smart Hackathon has enabled students from renowned HBCUs to forge lasting connections, access mentorship opportunities, and enrich their résumés with meaningful experiences. The 24-Hour hack will feature 36 teams in a friendly competition. Thanks to American Airlines, each team will have access to technical staff for mentoring and guidance in preparing and delivering their presentations to the judging panel.
Last October, a three-member team from Atlanta’s Morehouse College took home the win at the 7th Annual BE Smart Hackathon, representing the “best of the best” in tech among HBCUs across the country. Juniors Kevin Drew, Trent Gaylord, and Elijah Truitt were later flown to Chicago to claim the remainder of their first-place prize. That trip presented an unique opportunity for the trio to show their winning concept to Eben Hewitt, chief information officer at the Hyatt, the Hackathon’s presenting sponsor, at its corporate headquarters in Chicago.
“American Airlines is proud to support the BE Smart Hackathon and play a role in
fostering the next generation of tech leaders,” said Cedric Rockamore, chief diversity
officer at American Airlines. “We believe in the talent and innovation that these students bring to the table, and we’re excited to provide mentorship and career opportunities. This event is a testament to the power of diversity in driving technological advancement and we’re honored to be a part of it.”
The participating schools include:
Alabama Agricultural & Mechanical University
·Alabama State University
·Benedict College
·Bethune-Cookman University·Dillard University
·Edward Waters University
·Fisk University
·Florida A&M University
·Florida Memorial University
·Grambling State University
·Howard University
·Jackson State University
·Johnson C. Smith University
·Morehouse College
·Morgan State University
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