2025 HBCU Making and Innovation Showcase
What is the HBCU Making and Innovation Showcase?
Student teams that are selected to the cohort will receive year-long e-mentoring and professional development culminating with the in-person Showcase in Washington, D.C., September 25th - 27th, where they will participate in 1.5 days of workshops and pitch competition.
The AAAS HBCU Making and Innovation Showcase was developed to allow HBCU student entrepreneurs, inventors, and innovators to team together to design a hardware or software prototype that addresses one of the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). With the SDGs as a guiding foundation, teams will be encouraged to research and address a solution to a problem in their hometown communities or the community surrounding their institution.
2025 HBCU Innovation Showcase Awardees
1st place Team
Team PlantGPT, Spelman College
Innovators: Temple Dees, Joy Rutledge, Devyn Washington, Jessica Obi
Advised by: Phillip Thompson
A personified conversational Large Language Model (LLMs) to analyze plant health data and generate tailored, comprehensive care recommendations.
2nd place team
Team InnovaCollective, University of the District of Columbia
Innovators: Rodney Trapp, Sampson Addo, Julian King, John Irungu
Advised by: Pawan Tyagi
A commercialization hub and support process for students, staff and faculty.
3rd place team
Team $wap, Philander Smith University
Innovators: Kenna Agbugba, Otito Udedibor, Immanuela Umoren, Olaoluwa James-Owolabi
Advised by: Dr. Suzan Anwar
A peer-to-peer skill swapping and matching ecosystem built from collaboration rather than compensation.
2025 HBCU Making & Innovation Advisor Awardee
Dr. Amal Mitra, Jackson State University
Advisor to: Team VectorGuard (2025) & Team AquaAlert (2024)
2025 Team Engagement Awardees
Team Blue Horizon, Alabama A&M University
Innovators: Ruvarashe Nyabando, Mauyon Wusu, Tatenda Joseph, Bukata Mubanga
Advised by: Ed Pearson
Team Read & Rise, Bowie State University
Innovators: Taelor White, Billy Garcia, LaTreil Wimberly, Mekhi Allen, Chimaobi Udeze
Advised by: Velma Latson
The 2025 AAAS HBCU Making and Innovation Showcase will provide students and faculty participants with the following:
Student teams receive expert E-mentoring and professional development support from of their prototype design throughout the duration of their term in the cohort.
Faculty advisors receive professional development in areas of making, invention, innovation and entrepreneurship on HBCU campuses from leaders in those fields.
Students and faculty advisors receive a travel award to cover lodging and flight to Washington, DC, September 25-27, 2025.
Student teams are able to "pitch" their prototype to compete for cash prizes, $1500 (1st place), $1000 (2nd place), $500 (3rd place).
Following participation in the Showcase, student teams will receive an additional year of support to learn how to commercialize and bring their prototype to market.