By Emmanuel Freeman
Five Tennessee State University computer science majors recently impressed judges at a 24-hour national coding challenge with “People’s Power,” an AI-powered civic engagement app designed to help young adults get informed and involved in local issues.
The students, Genesis Bookard, Tuna Kurucu, Andrew LeClair, Tobenna Ugwuanyi, and Ace Watson, presented their project at Black Enterprise’s 10th annual BE Smart Hackathon presented by American Airlines in Charlotte, North Carolina, from Nov. 5 to 8. The students are all upperclassmen and were accompanied by Dr. Tamara Rogers, associate professor and chair of TSU’s Department of Computer Science.
The hackathon brought together 310 students from 43 HBCUs, forming 62 teams, to test their ability to collaborate, think critically, and communicate ideas under pressure. People’s Power impressed judges with its practical design and social impact focus, empowering users to learn what local candidates have done or plan to do on issues such as housing, public safety, and transportation, while also providing clear ways to get involved in community events and voter registration.
Ace Watson, a returning participant, also earned top honors for the second consecutive year in the event’s social media contest, highlighting TSU’s growing visibility and engagement at the national competition.
Team captain Andrew LeClair said the People’s Power project was inspired by a desire to use technology for civic good. “We wanted to create something that makes it easier for people to understand and engage with their local government,” LeClair said. “So much focus is on national politics, but real change starts locally, and that’s where People’s Power comes in.”
Tuna Kurucu emphasized the value of collaboration and fast-paced problem solving. “Everyone brought something unique to the table,” Kurucu said. “This experience showed how quickly you can turn an idea into something meaningful when you trust your teammates and stay focused under pressure.”
Genesis Bookard said the hackathon reinforced the team’s confidence and creativity. “It was exciting to see how our idea could grow in just 24 hours,” Bookard said. “Even though we’re still developing People’s Power, the feedback from judges and other teams showed us that our concept has real potential.”
Dr. Rogers praised the students for their professionalism and performance. “I am so proud of our students for representing Tennessee State University with excellence,” Rogers said. “Their creativity, teamwork, and technical skill truly reflect the strength of our computer science program and the innovation coming out of TSU.”
While the People’s Power software is still in development with no immediate rollout plans, the team’s achievement earned high praise from judges and peers alike. This marks TSU’s third appearance at the BE Smart Hackathon. Kurucu, Watson, and LeClair, who also served as team captain, competed in last year’s event.
