Pathway Community Foundation is a leading nonprofit organization committed to leveraging technology to drive change within Historically Black College and University (HBCU) communities. We aim to develop vibrant technology and economic ecosystems within HBCU communities. Our core interest is Tier 2 - Tier 4 cities where HBCUs are located. We focus on these underrepresented cities because we understand the problems HBCU communities face; whether that is limited access to intellectual capacity due to talent drain; universities in need of enrichment programs to upskill students; or students completing their undergraduate journey with barriers to careers, higher education, or entrepreneurship opportunities.
To address these needs, we developed the HBCU Smart Cities Challenge. Through this program, we focus our efforts on workforce capacity building by galvanizing city officials, staff, community members, and HBCU faculty, staff, and students and directing their energy toward solving high-priority city problems. This viable and sustainable program equips HBCU students with the tools they need to apply their skills in ways that give key stakeholders the support they need to improve their community. Our program is designed to empower HBCU students as they utilize the latest technologies for problem-solving while developing soft skills such as leadership, communication, and collaboration.