The City of Charlotte welcomed seven innovative students from various nationwide Historically Black Colleges and Universities to help them design programs that the students will pitch in a competition with a $10,000 prize. The programs are aimed at addressing some of the city’s initiatives for community-wide mobility and accessibility.
Friday’s visit was made possible by the 2025 HBCU Smart Cities Programs’ partnership with Mastercard, which provides a unique opportunity for HBCU students to engage with smart city technology and address community challenges across cities in North Carolina. Charlotte returns to the HBCU Smart Cities Program for the third year in a row through a partnership with the Pathway Community Foundation.
“This program represents our shared vision for sustainable community building and inclusive innovation. We are eager to leverage this collaboration to drive impactful change and empower our residents to build a brighter future,” said Rachel Stark, Smart Cities program manager for Charlotte’s Innovation & Technology Department. “The City of Charlotte is thrilled to continue its partnership with Pathway Community Foundation.”
The HBCU fellows visited city offices and learned firsthand about government operations and smart city initiatives. Staff from the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department, Charlotte Department of Transportation, and I&T Department hosted workshops, led equipment tours, and facilitated open discussions to help the students explore potential programs that would create meaningful impact in their communities. Pathway Community Foundation hosts the HBCU Smart Cities Challenge every year to provide a unique opportunity to students to create solutions for real-world problems.
“We are excited to welcome Charlotte back as a participant in the 2025 HBCU Smart Cities Program,” said Ayinde Simon, president and director of partnerships for Pathway Community Foundation. “This collaboration with the City of Charlotte underscores our shared commitment to innovation and community empowerment. Together, we will inspire creativity and build a brighter future for all.”
The final pitch competition will be in April at Winston-Salem State University.