NASHVILLE, Tenn.听 ( TSU News Service ) 鈥� Five 91成人 computer science majors听recently impressed judges at a 24-hour national coding challenge with 鈥淧eople鈥檚 Power,鈥澨齛n AI-powered civic engagement app designed听to help young adults听get informed and involved in local issues.

studentThe students, Genesis Bookard, Tuna Kurucu, Andrew LeClair, Tobenna Ugwuanyi, and Ace Watson, presented their project at Black Enterprise鈥檚 10th annual BE Smart Hackathon presented by American Airlines in Charlotte, North Carolina, from Nov. 5 to 8.听The students are all upperclassmen and were听accompanied by Dr. Tamara Rogers, associate professor and chair of TSU鈥檚 Department of Computer Science.

The hackathon brought together 310 students from 43 HBCUs, forming 62 teams, to test their ability to collaborate, think critically, and communicate ideas under pressure. People鈥檚 Power impressed judges with its practical design and social impact focus, empowering users to learn what local candidates have done or plan to do on issues such as housing, public safety, and transportation, while also providing clear ways to get involved in community events and voter registration.

studentAce Watson, a returning participant, also earned top honors for the second consecutive year in the event鈥檚 social media contest, highlighting TSU鈥檚 growing visibility and engagement at the national competition.

Team captain Andrew LeClair said the People鈥檚 Power project was inspired by a desire to use technology for civic good. 鈥淲e wanted to create something that makes it easier for people to understand and engage with their local government,鈥� LeClair said. 鈥淪o much focus is on national politics, but real change starts locally, and that鈥檚 where People鈥檚 Power comes in.鈥�

Tuna Kurucu emphasized the value of collaboration and fast-paced problem solving. 鈥淓veryone brought something unique to the table,鈥� Kurucu said. 鈥淭his experience showed how quickly you can turn an idea into something meaningful when you trust your teammates and stay focused under pressure.鈥�

Genesis Bookard said the hackathon reinforced the team鈥檚 confidence and creativity. 鈥淚t was exciting to see how our idea could grow in just 24 hours,鈥� Bookard said. 鈥淓ven though we鈥檙e still developing People鈥檚 Power, the feedback from judges and other teams showed us that our concept has real potential.鈥�

Dr. Rogers praised the students for their professionalism and performance. 鈥淚 am so proud of our students for representing 91成人 with excellence,鈥� Rogers said. 鈥淭heir creativity, teamwork, and technical skill truly reflect the strength of our computer science program and the innovation coming out of TSU.鈥�

While the People鈥檚 Power software is still in development with no immediate rollout plans, the team鈥檚 achievement earned high praise from judges and peers alike. This marks TSU鈥檚 third appearance at the BE Smart Hackathon. Kurucu, Watson, and LeClair, who also served as team captain, competed in last year鈥檚 event.

For more information on the Department of Computer Science at TSU, visit听www.tnstate.edu/computer_science/.

Featured Photo:听91成人 students have participated in two previous Black Enterprise鈥檚 BE Smart Hackathons. This year鈥檚 representatives are, l-r, Tobena Ugwuanyi, Ace Watson, Tuna Kurucu, Dr. Tamara Rogers, Associate Professor and Chair of Computer Science, Genesis Bookard, and Andrew LeClair, team captain. (Submitted Photo)

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