Alabama A&M University is once again sending a skilled team of students to represent the University in Black Enterprise’s 9th Annual BE Smart Hackathon, where they’ll compete against teams from 30 other HBCUs. Sponsored by American Airlines (AA), this event will take place November 14–17, 2024, at the Charlotte City Center Marriott in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Black Enterprise is the leading Black-owned digital media brand dedicated to providing essential resources in business, finance, and wealth-building for African Americans. The BE Smart Hackathon offers a unique platform where participating HBCU students can sharpen their technical skills, preparing them for influential roles in the tech industry. This year’s theme, “All Code No Switch: Authentically Intelligent,” sets the tone for a coding competition fostering innovation, collaboration, and the latest advancements in artificial intelligence (AI).
“We have participated in the BE Smart Hackathon for the last eight years,” says Computer Science Professor and faculty sponsor Terry Miller. “The first team that participated placed 2nd in 2016. In 2022, both teams placed 2nd and 3rd. That was the first time that any school had both teams place at that Hackathon.”
Miller says the competition is steep. Teams work for 24 hours developing a real working solution based around the problem statement given by American Airlines. Teams who make it to the top five will have a chance to present their solutions to everyone on the stage.
This year’s team includes sophomore electrical engineering major John Adeyemo from Abeokuta, Nigeria; junior finance major Emilio Angel from Bogota, Colombia; senior electrical engineering major Shemaiah Mbetwa from Kitwe, Zambia; senior electrical engineering major and team lead Opeyeoluwa Olanipekun from Ibadan, Nigeria; and junior computer science major Taylor Pippins from Riverdale, Georgia.
In addition to the Hackathon, the event features a variety of professional development opportunities and workshops led by AA professionals and other industry experts, networking events, and onsite technical interviews for those interested in roles at American Airlines. During the Hackathon, teams will work together over a 24-hour period to create innovative tech solutions addressing consumer needs defined by American Airlines.
As the main sponsor, American Airlines awards the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place teams with frequent flyer miles for domestic travel. Sponsor Hyatt Hotels provides the winning teams with a three-night stay at any Hyatt location worldwide. Additional awards include gift cards, laptops, and tech accessories for categories like “Best Use of an API” and “Most Innovative Idea.”
Team members say they’re ready for the competition. “As a returning BE Smart Hackathon participant, I look forward to hearing about the new challenge and collaborating with my new team to create innovative solutions,” says Mbetwa. Adeyemo shares, “I’m looking forward to an incredible experience in Charlotte! I can’t wait to dive into an exciting 24-hour challenge and create something amazing with my team.”
Miller has been a faculty advisor for the Alabama A&M Hackathon team since 2016. “My role is to assist the team in ensuring they understand the problem statement by breaking down the problem and talking about the steps to come up with a solution, keep the team motivated during the 24-hour time frame, and ensure they are networking outside of the Hackathon.”
Miller says the goal is always to come home with a win, but she also wants students to enjoy the entire experience. “I think the biggest takeaways should also be the team learning new technical skills, creating a new innovative idea that could possibly be implemented to solve a real-world problem with a Fortune 500 company, exposing them to leaders that can help augment their professional growth, build on their teamwork and presentation skills and have fun anywhere in between.”
“I’m so excited to collaborate with my fellow Bulldogs,” says Angel. “I’m looking forward to competing with other bright students and expanding my network,” adds Olanipekun. Pippins rounds out the team’s enthusiasm: “I’m thrilled to represent Alabama A&M University and collaborate with my talented teammates in creating an innovative solution. This is an incredible opportunity to further develop my problem-solving skills and creativity while connecting with others who share my passion for impactful technology.”
