Morrisville Showcases Smart City Expertise in 2024 HBCU Smart Cities Challenge
[Morrisville, 01/22/24] - Morrisville, NC, takes center stage as it enthusiastically embraces the 2024 North Carolina HBCU Smart Cities Challenge, showcasing its prowess in smart city development. Pathway Community Foundation commends Morrisville for its commitment to innovation, community development, and inclusive growth within the town.
The HBCU Smart Cities Challenge serves as a dynamic platform, uniting communities with historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) to address urban and rural challenges through inventive solutions. Morrisville, with its robust smart city expertise, is poised to make a substantial impact on this transformative initiative.
Expressing his excitement for Morrisville's participation, Mr. Billy Whitehead, Morrisville Smart City Program Manager, remarked, "We are thrilled to be part of the HBCU Smart Cities Challenge. This opportunity aligns beautifully with Morrisville's vision for advancing smart city solutions. By collaborating with HBCUs and Pathway Community Foundation, we aim to leverage our smart city expertise to create initiatives that not only enhance the quality of life for our residents but also contribute to the broader Smart Cities movement."
As part of the Challenge, students attend workshops, create teams, and work alongside town stakeholders to solve a pressing community problem. Ayinde Simon, President and Director of Partnerships at Pathway Community Foundation, emphasized the importance of centering HBCU students as problem solvers, "Morrisville's engagement in the HBCU Smart Cities Challenge reflects not only a commitment to innovation but also an acknowledgment of the prowess and potential of HBCU talent. Through this partnership, we aim to create a bridge where town stakeholder expertise and the fresh perspectives of HBCU students come together to shape the future of smart cities like Morrisville."
This collaboration will culminate at the 2023-24 North Carolina HBCU Smart Cities Challenge Showcase Event, scheduled for March 21-23rd in Winston-Salem, NC. The event series will celebrate the work of Morrisville alongside HBCU students. Highlights include an invite-only reception event hosted by the city of Winston-Salem, a Community Tech Day showcasing national and local emerging tech companies, and a grand finale pitch event where students compete for their share of $10,000 in cash prizes.
For further information and partnership inquiries, please contact: info@pathwayoz.com
About Pathway Community Foundation:
Pathway Community Foundation is a dynamic collaborative effort, committed to innovation and community empowerment. Our mission is to unite aspiring students, dedicated educators, and forward-thinking city officials in shaping the cities of tomorrow.
At the heart of our vision is the belief that diversity, creativity, and collaboration can address complex urban challenges. By leveraging cutting-edge technology and fostering inclusive, innovative thinking, we empower students to become catalysts of positive change in their communities.
About Town of Morrisville:
Morrisville is one of the fastest growing and most diverse towns in North Carolina, located adjacent to North Carolina’s Research Triangle Park. Named an All-America City in 2021, the town’s economy is based on highly skilled professional and technology industries, and a population that is diverse, affluent and highly educated. The idea of living connected and living well guides the town’s decision-making processes in all areas and has been the catalyst for infrastructure improvements including roadways, greenways, recreational facilities and smart city initiatives.
