hackathon

By: Pearl Esema

What is hackathon? <div> hackathon is the only youth and diversity-focused annual hackathon, 100% organized and 100% operated by students of color, in the United States. Hackathon  is held on the campus of Huston-Tillotson University.  <div> hackathon’s mission is to assist Millennials Of Color in recognizing that they can be more than consumers of technology—they too can be creators, innovators, and disruptors of tomorrow’s technology.

Last year (2015), was our inaugural year. 50 Millennials Of Color (high-school and undergrads) spent the first weekend of SXSW, paired with Mentors, developing mobile apps that solved problems in the Education, Health, and Social Justice sectors.

This year, our <div> hackathon is answering the technology pipeline problem. Our  <div> hackathon will serve as an information and social capital conduit—a pipeline—connecting talent-seeking companies to 65 phenomenal Millennials Of Color.

When and where is <div> hackathon? This year, <div> hackathon will be held March 12 and 13, 2016 on the campus of Huston-Tillotson University. Huston-Tillotson University is a federally designated HBCU (a Historically Black College and University). Huston-Tillotson University is home to a diverse student campus. Our student body is 72% African-American, 17% Latino, 6% White, and 4% International.

Who runs <div> hackathon? <div> hackathon is 100% organized and 100% operated by the students of Huston-Tillotson University.

What should you expect to see at <div> hackathon?

• Over 234 participants (65 Students, 40 Mentors, 100 Spectators, 13 Huston-Tillotson Student Organizers, 5 Guest Judges, 10 Huston-Tillotson Faculty and Staff Members, and 1 Huston-Tillotson President);
• 65 Students from diverse backgrounds, creating mobile apps that disrupt the Business, Health, Education, and Entertainment sectors;
• Supportive, engaging, and curriculum-based environment ;
• Tech talks, which share with students new product knowledge; career survival skills; and the power of personal branding; and
• Opportunities to network, table, and discuss!

We work hard to create an amazing <div> hackathon experience! Here’s what last year’s participants had to say about our <div> hackathon:

“<div> hackathon was a life changing experience that helped open my mind to becoming innovative and more than just a consumer of technology.” – Judith Job, Huston-Tillotson University Kinesiology student

“At <div> hackathon, I made lasting connections. I was also inspired to continue to create apps.” – Arsenio Brown, Huston-Tillotson University Sociology student

“<div> hackathon opened my eyes to something special about my East Austin community. Spending a weekend seeing different people of color work together to solve different issues was not only empowering but proves that we can go further if we do it together.” – Juan Zuniga, Austin Community College Business Management student

“Thank you so much for putting together the <div> hackathon! It’s great that you guys promoted diversity and women’s equality! I had so much fun, met some amazing people and learned so many tools that I will definitely be using…Please let me know if you guys ever do this again, I’d definitely be interested.” – Maryam Khawar, Austin Peace Academy student

If you would like to support us, or have any further questions or concerns about our <div> hackathon Supporter Tiers below, please contact Autumn Caviness, 512-505-3163, [email protected] and refer to iamthepipeline.com for more information.  Thank you!