Pathway Community Foundation Unveils the 2023-24 North Carolina HBCU Smart Cities Challenge, Supported by MetLife Foundation

Pathway Community Foundation is thrilled to introduce the North Carolina 2023-24 HBCU Smart Cities Challenge, a groundbreaking initiative that empowers talented students of Historically Black Colleges & Universities (HBCUs) within North Carolina to develop intelligent applications for their communities. The Challenge commenced its dynamic five-month cycle in October of 2023 supporting students as they create innovative IoT, ICT, and Web3 applications aimed at addressing the most pressing challenges faced by our city partners.

MetLife Foundation has provided support for the North Carolina HBCU Smart Cities Challenge for the next two years to encompass the 2023-24 and 2024-25 cycles. Their support is part of their commitment to drive inclusive economic mobility by addressing the needs of underserved and underrepresented communities globally.

HBCU students from across North Carolina are actively engaged in skill development workshops, collaborative team-building exercises, and mentorship sessions with emerging technology experts. The culmination of their efforts will be showcased at the grand finale pitch competition set to take place in Winston-Salem, NC this March. Armed with newly acquired skills, students will develop minimal viable products (MVPs) and proof-of-concept (POC) solutions, contributing to the resolution of real-world issues.

This initiative has garnered widespread support from North Carolina cities including Winston-Salem, Rocky Mount, Morrisville, and Charlotte, educational institutions, and technology partners, recognizing the unique position of HBCUsto meet the urgent needs of the nation's cities.

Ayinde Simon, Director of Partnerships at Pathway Community Foundation, emphasizes the significance of this, stating, "The support of partners like the MetLife Foundation in unlocking the immense talent at our HBCUs speaks volumes of their dedication to a more inclusive, collaborative world. Our aim is to center HBCU students as problem-solvers and give them a platform and opportunity to showcase their ingenuity while uplifting their community."

For further information and partnership inquiries, please contact: ayinde@pathwayoz.com