HBCU Innovation Power Hour Sparks Creativity at Drake State

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (AP) — Drake State Community & Technical College hosted the HBCU Innovation Power Hour on Wednesday, March 19, 2025, providing students with a vibrant mix of live music, food, and hands-on experience in technology and artificial intelligence.

The event aimed to empower college students to explore the potential of AI and its applications in the workforce. Participants engaged in a pitch contest, where they could apply their newly acquired skills in practical ways.

“Anything that we can do to actually complement the traditional education they’re getting with their schools makes them more marketable,” said Charisse Stokes, executive director of the Alabama Collective. “We want to ensure that these students get jobs. We want to ensure that these students have the resources to start their own businesses. We really want them to excel and retain them right here in the state of Alabama.”

Stokes emphasized that initiatives like the Innovation Power Hour are supported by Innovate Alabama, an organization dedicated to fostering innovation and entrepreneurship among students. This collaboration seeks to bridge the gap between education and the evolving job market, particularly in cutting-edge fields like technology.

The HBCU Innovation Power Hour provided students with an avenue to not only learn but also showcase their ideas in a competitive environment, encouraging ingenuity and collaboration within the community.