Grad Students Vie for $50k Top Prize in AT&T HBCU Challenge

Team’s Business Idea to Expand AT&T’s 5G Network into Underserved Communities

MEDIA CONTACT: Damita Chambers, dchambers@bowiestate.edu, 301-832-2628 mobile 

(BOWIE, Md.) – Three Bowie State University graduate students, with a passion for leveraging technology to close the digital divide, are competing against 15 teams from historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) for a $50,000 top prize in the first-ever AT&T HBCU Innovation Challenge Team. The top winners will be announced Friday, Nov. 13 at the AfroTech World virtual conference.

The BSU team advanced to the semi-finals based on the strength of the students’ proposed solution to the challenge of helping AT&T to expand the 5G digital network to reach more communities, especially in healthcare, education or low-income communities. The BSU team devised a business plan to developing a home classroom transformation model for underserved communities using digital technologies.

The students are:

• Israel Ibidapo, master of business administration
• Sean Roberts, master’s degree in computer science
• Akili Smith, master of business administration

“QUOTE,” said Dr. Deborah Bailey, assistant professor of Department of Management, Marketing & Public Administration.

A panel of AT&T professionals will evaluate the teams’ plans and 20-minute virtual presentations to determine the top winners. The semi-finalist teams were each assigned AT&T mentors to prepare for the presentations. BSU alumnus Bryan Stewart (’10), an AT&T manager, volunteered to work with the students representing his alma mater.

“QUOTE,” said Ibidapo.

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About Bowie State University
Bowie State University (BSU) is an important higher education access portal for qualified persons from diverse academic and socioeconomic backgrounds, seeking a high-quality and affordable public comprehensive university. The university places special emphasis on the science, technology, cybersecurity, teacher education, business, and nursing disciplines within the context of a liberal arts education. For more information about BSU, visit bowiestate.edu.