Innovate Alabama has announced that it is partnering with the Yellowhammer State’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities and The Alabama Collective to invest in black talent that is being fostered at various institutions throughout the state.

As a part of the initiative, the organization will be hosting informational meetings at Tuskegee University, Miles College, Stillman College, and Talladega College.

“HBCUs are natural hubs for innovation and entrepreneurship. As we seek to narrow the gap of open tech jobs in Alabama, we recognize how integral HBCUs are in solving this challenge for our state,” said Alabama Collective Executive Director, Charisse Stokes. “Through the Innovation Power Hours, we seek to elevate tech, innovation and entrepreneurial talent at HBCUs by exposing students and faculty to a variety of opportunities that will enhance their college experience and careers beyond.”

At each event there will be what are called “Innovation Power Hours.” These “Power Hours” will give students and faculty a chance to engage in hands on digital learning labs, observe new technology, explore internship opportunities, and gain industry-level certifications.

The events will have rotating stations, which will feature the newest Apple equipment and display various new technologies and concepts, including the Apple SWIFT programming language, coding design principles, and augmented reality with oculus equipment.

“We are a student-centered institution that prides itself on bringing the best programs and opportunities, such as the Innovation Experience,” said Miles College President Bobbie Knight, J.D. “The Innovation Experience is currently on an HBCU tour, directing attention and resources to frequently overlooked institutions. This event gives our students access to professionals excited to teach and share knowledge that prepares them for their futures.

“I look forward to our students engaging directly with the tools, software and platforms created for them and a fantastic event here at Miles College.”

Individuals who are present throughout the entire event at their particular college can win a set of Apple AirPods or Beats Headphones.

The Innovate Alabama-sponsored program has already worked with 85 students and faculty at Tuskegee University.

A list of upcoming Innovate Alabama HBCU Engagement Experience programs is included below.

• Innovation Power Hours – These three-hour events take place on HBCU campuses and showcase hands-on, collaborative digital learning labs.
• Intern Program – The intern program gives select students the opportunity to work at a local coding club during the academic semester.
• Tech Pathways – These eight-week courses educate students on coding, augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR) and SWIFT, Apple’s programming language for building iOS applications.
• Entrepreneurship Training – four-week venture-creation workshop designed to help entrepreneurially minded students
• SWIFT Courses – Students can earn college credit and various certificates through these college-level courses focused on app development
  using the programming language SWIFT.
• HBCU App Design Competition – Taking place in fall 2023, this collaborative app design competition gives students a platform to showcase their talent to key stakeholders.

Austen Shipley is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News.