By Hazel Scott/ASU
Excitement filled two Alabama cities recently as the FuelAL HBCU Innovation Internship Program celebrated the graduation of 20 student interns, with two of the graduates representing Alabama State University. The ceremonies, held at Innovation Depot in Birmingham and the HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology in Huntsville, honored students from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) who gained valuable hands-on experience in Alabama’s thriving tech and innovation sectors.
Two students represented Alabama State University: Emmanuel A. Hayes, a senior computer science major, and Jaden Bell, an ASU graduate from the first Apple Foundations cohort. Both Hayes and Jaden participated in the Birmingham ceremony.
The other Spring 2026 cohort represented four HBCs across the state: Tuskegee University, Alabama A&M University, Talladega College and Lawson State Community College. The 20 students were selected from more than 170 applicants for the 12-week paid program, sponsored by the Economic Development Partnership of Alabama and Innovate Alabama.
The cohort worked with 12 employers, including startups, accelerators, innovation hubs and research institutions, to build Alabama’s tech talent pipeline. The employers included Alabama Collective, Analytical AI, Birmingham Port, EDPA, Gener8tor, HudsonAlpha, Innovation Portal, MTL Tech Lab, Tech Birmingham, Techstars, TrebleOne, and Zeus Research & Technology.
After participating in FuelAL’s spring program, Hayes shared how his first-time experience propelled his growth both personally and professionally.
“This experience played a significant role in both my personal and professional growth. Professionally, it strengthened my ability to analyze startups, apply data-driven thinking, and operate within fast-paced, high-impact environments. Personally, it helped me build confidence, expand my network, and better understand the importance of innovation, adaptability, and leadership,” said Hayes.
Haynes added that this semester he served as an Alabama Scout Intern with gener8tor, where he sourced and evaluated early-stage startups, contributing to pipeline development and helping build structured CRM systems to support accelerator programs.
Following the celebrations, an Interview Day was held in both cities to select the next group of interns. Seventeen students were chosen for the Fall 2026 cohort, representing a broad array of HBCUs, and will embark on internships with innovative companies spanning technology, bioscience, and advanced research fields.
“One of the highlights of my experience was being invited back for Interview Day for the next cohort, where I was ranked No. 1 among incoming candidates. As a result, I was selected and matched with Techstars for the Fall 2026 cohort, where I will be supporting efforts across Accelerator Operations, Founder Support, and the broader Tech Community. This opportunity further affirmed my passion for working at the intersection of technology, data, and innovation to drive meaningful impact,” explained Hayes.
Hayes acknowledged the program reinforced his commitment to leveraging technology and analytics to improve decision-making and build scalable solutions, an approach he said he plans to continue through his future career and ventures.
Dr. Kennedy S. Wekesa, associate provost for Academic Affairs, noted the program has been a vital bridge connecting students to meaningful career opportunities while supporting Alabama’s economic growth. Through mentorship, real-world experience, and exposure to cutting-edge industries, FuelAL continues to empower students and strengthen the state’s talent pipeline for years to come.
