Innovate Alabama is hosting a tech brunch to launch its HBCU Innovation Experience.

The new program will “encourage inclusive talent attraction and retention within the state, home to the most Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) in the country.”

“Innovate Alabama is on a mission to help innovators, including our state’s best and brightest students, grow roots here in Alabama,” said Cynthia Crutchfield, CEO of Innovate Alabama. “As we continue to prioritize inclusivity and equitability through our various initiatives, including our HBCU engagement strategy, we are thrilled to collaborate with organizations, like The Alabama Collective, who are also passionate about supporting underserved and underrepresented groups within our state.”

HBCU academic leaders will be able to network with peers, founders and program leadership to learn about internship, job and investment opportunities related to digital tech skills and entrepreneurial product development.

“As Alabama looks to strengthen its innovation ecosystem, it is essential we focus on minorities and HBCU engagement to achieve a more diverse and inclusive tech and entrepreneurial landscape,” said Charisse Stokes, founder of The Alabama Collective. “HBCUs are natural hubs for innovation and entrepreneurship, and Alabama is fortunate to be abundant in HBCU talent and intellectual capital, being home to the largest number of HBCUs in the country.”

The brunch will be 10 a.m. to noon Saturday during the HBCU Springcoming at Carrigan’s Public House, 2430 Morris Ave., in downtown Birmingham.

Austen Shipley is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News.