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Empowering HBCU Students: The 2025 Data Challenge

The Atlanta University Center Consortium (AUCC) Data Science Initiative has teamed up with the Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth to launch the 2025 Mastercard Data Challenge. This initiative encourages students from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) to leverage data science for social good, addressing economic disparities within their communities.

Overview of the Challenge

The competition invites student teams to analyze Mastercard's Inclusive Growth Score™ (IGS) as well as various public datasets to pinpoint communities suffering from low inclusive growth scores (45 or below). From here, the students are tasked with developing data-driven, evidence-based strategies aimed at enhancing the well-being of these communities. The IGS serves to inform local partners, policymakers, community leaders, and impact investors about social and economic indicators at the neighborhood level, thereby providing clarity on areas that require support and intervention.

Diving Into the Data

Utilizing the Inclusive Growth Score platform, teams are expected to sift through data linked to factors such as housing affordability, small business growth, health coverage, and early education enrollment. By uncovering patterns within this data, students will design inventive interventions. These proposed solutions could consist of a range of initiatives, from policy recommendations and workforce development programs to AI-driven digital tools that aim to foster equitable economic growth.

Moreover, data science techniques like statistical modeling, visualization, and predictive analytics will play a crucial role in helping students derive insights necessary for promoting economic equity and community resilience. The challenge is designed not only to test the students' analytical abilities but also to nurture their understanding of how data can be utilized for impactful social change.

Workshops and Mentorship

Throughout the challenge, participants will engage in an array of virtual workshops and mentorship sessions. They will also have in-person pitch stops at various partner HBCUs, including airports like Alabama AM University, Jackson State University, Fisk University, and many more. These mentoring opportunities are particularly valuable as they provide students with guidance from industry professionals, allowing them to refine their projects and strengthen their pitches.

Upcoming stops include Bowie State University on November 13 and Grambling State University on November 20, where teams can gain additional insight and critique on their work before presenting their findings.

The Final Showdown

The competition will culminate in the Finalist Showcase and Awards Ceremony scheduled for December 4–6, 2025, at Mastercard's Atlanta headquarters. During this event, the top teams will present their strategies to corporates and community officials. Notably, the competition boasts a total prize pool of $52,400, which includes a grand prize of $15,000 for the first-place team, incentivizing students to reach their highest potential.

About the AUC Data Science Initiative

The Atlanta University Center Data Science Initiative serves as a pivotal hub for fostering data science education and research among students of Clark Atlanta University, Morehouse College, Spelman College, and Morehouse School of Medicine. In collaboration with industry giants like Mastercard, Google, and UnitedHealth Group, the initiative is dedicated to cultivating a robust pipeline of students into data-focused careers, ensuring representation of HBCUs in the dynamic technology and analytics sectors.

For more information about the 2025 Mastercard Data Challenge, interested individuals can visit this link or reach out to Jamal Ware directly for any inquiries.

This unprecedented collaboration sets a precedent for how educational institutions can work alongside major corporations to equip students with the skills and insights necessary for tackling complex societal issues, ultimately paving the way for a more inclusive future.