Biggest-Ever HBCU Hackathon in Charlotte Opens Doors for 310 Students

A record-breaking 310 students from 43 historically Black colleges will be gathering in Charlotte for a four-day coding sprint Nov. 5-8 at the Black Enterprise BE Smart Hackathon. It's the largest turnout in the event's decade-long history.

American Airlines hosts this tech challenge where 62 student teams put their skills to the test. These bright minds from computer engineering, science, and cybersecurity programs work through the night on actual industry problems. Tech veterans stand by to offer guidance during their 24-hour coding sprint.

"As the technology industry continues to evolve, the demand for skilled professionals is higher than ever," said Black Enterprise CEO Earl "Butch" Graves Jr., according to Black Enterprise. "Our event is a testament to our steadfast commitment to promoting diversity within the tech industry."

This year's backing hits an all-time high. The City of Charlotte joins big names like Fidelity Investments, McDonald's, NASCAR, Nationwide, PepsiCo, Toyota, and Verizon. Students will meet Charlotte's own Mayor Vi Lyles at the event.

Team Protégé from Spelman College won big in 2024. Their prizes? A hundred thousand AAdvantage miles, a MacBook Air, and a drone. Close behind were teams from Philander Smith University and Talladega College.

Among all schools, Morgan State University shines bright. They've shown up at every hackathon since the start, nine years running. The Baltimore school grabbed top technical scores last year and returns ready for more in 2025.

Students don't just code, they build their futures. Many walk away with internship offers and job prospects from American Airlines and other companies. Success hinges on technical skill, user-focused design, and strong presentations.

This year's theme rings true: "Built Brilliant. Built Different: 10 Years of Elevating Excellence." Industry experts will judge each solution on its real-world potential and technical merit.

Want to join in? Head to blackenterprise.com/hackathon to sign up, sponsor, or learn what's new.