Abstract: The HBCU Smart Cities Challenge is an annual event hosted by the Pathway Community Foundation. The 5-month challenge requires HBCU students to build a smart city application that enhances their community. Over the course of the Challenge, HBCU students harness the power of IoT, ICT, Web3, AI, and other emerging technologies to craft ingenious solutions that address real-world problems. This annual event is a unique opportunity for HBCUs and cities to come together, creating a synergy that will uplift the entire state of North Carolina. This presentation will highlight one of the transportation- focused solutions pitched by NC A&T students during the March 23, 2024 event.

Abigail Yohannes, of San Jose, California, earned her Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from the University of California, Los Angeles, and a post baccalaureate certificate in data analytics from NC A&T. She is working toward her Master’s degree in Data Science and Engineering from NC A&T with an anticipated graduation of May 2024. Upon graduation, she plans to work in online Trust and Safety, Security, and AI policy. She aims to use her experiences to empower young Black women to pursue careers in STEM and engineering fields.

Emarryah Wilson is a driven and accomplished scholar, having graduated magna cum laude with her Bachelor's degree in Statistics from Florida State University. Currently, she is expanding her expertise by pursuing a Master's degree in Data Science and Engineering at North Carolina A&T State University. Emarryah’s dedication to academic excellence is evident through her involvement as a HBCU Smart Cities Fellow for the 2023-2024 school year, where she contributed to cutting-edge research initiatives. Additionally, she serves as a Health Economics/Data Analytics Intern for Cone Health, where she applies her analytical skills to real-world healthcare challenges. With a fervent passion for research and innovation, Emarryah is set on making significant contributions to the field of data science and beyond.

Oladimeji Alaka graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from Osun State University in 2018 and is pursuing a Master of Science in Civil Engineering at North Carolina A&T State University (NC A&T). His research interest is sustainable transportation, specifically integrating bicycle infrastructure to promote sustainability. He is also engaged as a research assistant at the Transportation Modelling Lab at NC A&T, contributing to studies on technology readiness in transportation.