Innovate Alabama launches HBCU innovation experience in collaboration with The Alabama Collective

BIRMINGHAM, AL – Working alongside community partners including The Alabama Collective, Innovate Alabama is pleased to announce the launch of the Innovate Alabama HBCU Innovation Experience. To kick off this new program, the organization is holding a Tech Brunchduring HBCU Springcoming this Saturday, March 18 from 10 a.m. to noon CDT at Carrigan’s Public House (2430 Morris Ave, Birmingham, AL). HBCU academic leaders will be able to network with peers, founders and program leadership to learn about internship, job and investment opportunities related to digital tech skills and entrepreneurial product development. The Tech Brunch will also include tech demos provided by Ed Farm. 

One of Innovate Alabama’s focus areas is developing a comprehensive HBCU engagement strategy. The HBCU Innovation Experience is a central component of this strategy, and the Tech Brunch is the first of many activations that will fall within this program.  

“Innovate Alabama is on a mission to help innovators, including our state’s best and brightest students, grow roots here in Alabama,” said Cynthia Crutchfield, CEO of Innovate Alabama. “As we continue to prioritize inclusivity and equitability through our various initiatives, including our HBCU engagement strategy, we are thrilled to collaborate with organizations, like The Alabama Collective, who are also passionate about supporting underserved and underrepresented groups within our state.” 

By leveraging relationships with local organizations, Innovate Alabama will reach more HBCU students with a multi-phased approach to tech and innovation training and experiential learning opportunities. Innovate Alabama implements programs and policies that support Alabama’s innovation ecosystem while the Alabama Collective works to elevate minority tech talent and entrepreneurs. 

“As Alabama looks to strengthen its innovation ecosystem, it is essential we focus on minorities and HBCU engagement to achieve a more diverse and inclusive tech and entrepreneurial landscape,” said Charisse Stokes, founder of The Alabama Collective. “HBCUs are natural hubs for innovation and entrepreneurship, and Alabama is fortunate to be abundant in HBCU talent and intellectual capital, being home to the largest number of HBCUs in the country.” 

For those interested in attending Saturday’s Tech Brunch, please register at the link here. For more information on Innovate Alabama, please visit innovatealabama.org/. 

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About Innovate Alabama  

Innovate Alabama is Alabama’s first statewide public-private partnership focused on entrepreneurship, technology and innovation with a mission to help innovators grow roots here in Alabama. Innovate Alabama was established to implement the initiatives and recommendations set forth in the Alabama Innovation Commission’s report, including smart policy solutions that will create a more resilient, inclusive and robust economy to remain competitive in a 21st-century world. With founding CEO Cynthia Crutchfield leading the charge, Innovate Alabama is also made up of a board of 11 innovation leaders appointed by Gov. Ivey, collaborating across sectors to advance industries, drive technology and facilitate an environment where innovation and entrepreneurship thrive. Learn more about Innovate Alabama at www.innovatealabama.org. 

About The Alabama Collective 

The Alabama Collective seeks to expand and enhance emerging tech, innovation and entrepreneurial programs in Alabama. By fostering growth and diversity within the state’s tech and entrepreneurial landscape, The Alabama Collective is creating a hub for minority tech talent and entrepreneurs while also preserving the existing infrastructure that is essential to economic prosperity. To learn more, visit www.thealabamacollective.com.