UAPB Students Experience Entrepreneurship Summit in Atlanta

The HBCU/MI Entrepreneurship and Innovation Program Summit in Atlanta is an important initiative to foster diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in entrepreneurship and deep technology. The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff (UAPB) was one of 23 HBCUs at the 2024 summit, which aims to help historically black colleges and universities and minority institutions (HBCU/MI) develop educational programs. Comprehensive entrepreneurship studies relevant to preparing African Americans and minorities. students to develop an entrepreneurial spirit and become leaders and entrepreneurs.

The 2024 Summit took place at the Westin Peachtree Plaza Hotel in Atlanta Institutions. It was an event-filled three-day program including seminars for university chancellors/presidents and deans and an entrepreneurship business plan pitch competition for student teams, with monetary rewards for winning teams.

The UAPB team was led by Chancellor Laurence B. Alexander, who provided strategic advice and leadership. Dr. Lawrence Awopetu, Acting Dean of the School of Business and Management, and Dr. Vinay Raj, Faculty Advisor, played a crucial role as advisors to the UAPB student team, providing mentorship , guidance and support. The five-member UAPB student team, including Carlas Smith and Breanna Scott from the School of Business and Management and three students, Edward Gitonga, Franklyn Stanislaus and Melissa Walker, from the School’s Department of Computer Science of Arts & Sciences, were the driving force behind our participation.

The UAPB team’s business plan, named “EduCare 360”, is a healthcare educational software platform designed to manage complications of diseases such as diabetes among diverse groups of people. Our team proposed an investment of $900,000. Although our team did not win the coveted competition prize, they received excellent feedback from the judges on how our business plan could be positioned and marketed into an investment product viable. By participating in this event, our students not only made essential career connections, but also gained valuable knowledge and experiences that will shape their futures in entrepreneurship and technology. Most importantly, they helped develop a business model to manage disease complications in underrepresented communities, a cause they are deeply passionate about.

Sponsorship from various organizations has contributed to the HBCU/MI Entrepreneurship and Innovation Program. Coherent Corp., a leader in materials, networking and lasers, announced a $500,000 sponsorship for educational initiatives aimed at increasing diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) in entrepreneurship, innovation and advanced technologies: the HBCU/MI Entrepreneurship & Innovation initiative of the Leadership Needed Foundation and the Optica Foundation Amplify Scholarship for Black scientists.

Summit keynote speaker Dr. Vincent D. (Chuck) Mattera, Jr., CEO of Coherent, was recognized for his outstanding support of the HBCU/MI initiative. His commitment to funding, equipment and expertise for the initiative was highlighted in his speech. Coherent’s goals to expand America’s role in laser design, manufacturing and applications by developing advanced training programs and certifications in laser technology were also highlighted. This event highlighted the importance of supporting HBCUs/MIs and promoting DEI in technology and entrepreneurship.