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Several Spelman College Students Earn Top Honors at Second Un-Hackathon for Ethical AI Innovation
Students Applying Lessons Learned from the Un-Hackathon
Earlier this year, Spelman College students stood out as key competitors in the second “Un-Hackathon” in Nashville, Tennessee. The “Un-Hackathon” is a reimagined approach to the traditional hackathon model, designed to emphasize creativity, collaboration, and problem-solving over competition or rapid coding. Instead of focusing solely on building technical prototypes under tight deadlines, participants engage in structured activities that encourage ideation, storytelling, and solution design around real-world challenges.
The format prioritizes inclusivity and accessibility, allowing students from diverse academic and professional backgrounds to contribute meaningfully—whether through data analysis, design thinking, business strategy, or community-centered innovation. The collaborative technology event brought together participants from five universities across Atlanta and Nashville.
Showcasing their skills and innovation, Mary Okumodi, C’2027, Shannon Burnette, C’2028, Elikem Kalitsi, C’2025, Nina Simone Jenkins, C’2028, Sky Brumfield, C’2025, and Mariah Hicks, C’2027, earned top placements in various categories by developing ethical AI solutions with real-world applications.
“The Un-Hackathon showcased the brilliance and creativity of our students—proving that when given the right tools and support, they rise to any challenge. These achievements underscore Spelman’s commitment to preparing young women of color to lead at the intersection of technology and social impact,” said Eboni Dotson, Ph.D., the assistant director of HBCU Engagement with the Atlanta University Center Consortium Data Science Initiative.
When reflecting on how she applies what she learned at the Un-Hackathon to her coursework and internships this semester, Okumodi explained, “The Un-Hackathon taught me how to break down big problems and design people-focused solutions. I carried that into my NSF (National Science Foundation) internship, where I used coding and data pipelines to study how political party names shape voter behavior. Even now in my classes, I’m more intentional about building projects that don’t just work technically, but actually serve the people who will use them.”
Okumodi, a computer science major, also added that she gained confidence. “Working alongside my teammates to create Mama Shield showed me the power of collaboration and the value of different perspectives coming together. It also showed me how important it is to see Black women represented in these spaces. It reminded me that I belong here and that my voice matters,” she said.
Mama Shield is a community-driven innovation project developed during the Vanderbilt Un-Hackathon. It’s designed to enhance the safety and support of mothers and children by combining accessible technology with practical resources. The concept focuses on creating a protective ecosystem—one that equips families with tools to monitor, respond, and feel secure in their daily lives.
“Building Mama Shield with such a diverse team was an adjustment at first, but it became my greatest growth edge—teaching me to listen wider, build faster, and lead with empathy,” Burnette, a computer science major, said. “The weekend was a masterclass in collaboration across backgrounds, and I couldn’t have asked for a better team or a stronger lead than Jamal Ware. Since then, I carry those lessons with me daily: stretch your thinking, trust your teammates, and let diverse voices shape the solution—because that’s how real impact happens.”
Burnette wasn’t the only one who walked away transformed—her teammate, Hicks, echoed similar sentiments about the power of cross-disciplinary collaboration.
“This experience was an amazing opportunity to grow my network with individuals from diverse academic backgrounds and hone in on the collaborative nature of product ideation,” Hicks said.
Student Development in Action
“This event is one of my favorites because it gives students the chance to grow in ways that extend beyond the classroom. From traveling to a new city and collaborating with an intercollegiate team to applying their teachings from Spelman in real and practical ways, our students fully embraced the experience,” said Jamal Ware, program coordinator for Student Development with the AUC.
Most Spelman students who attended the Un-Hackathon are part of the AUC Data Science Initiative’s HBCU Data Science Influencer Cohort. Through the program, Spelman faculty and professors provide additional support to help curate workshops and opportunities that equip students with technical and non-technical skills to thrive in such experiences.
Top-Performing AUC Students and Intercollegiate Teams
1st Place – Team Mama Shield
Shannon Burnette, Mary Okumodi, and Elikem K. – Spelman College
Teamed up with Vanderbilt and Fisk students to take home the win!
2nd Place Team
Nina Simone Jenkins – Spelman College
Tyler J. Barnes – Morehouse College
Their team stood out for strong interdisciplinary collaboration.
3rd Place Team
Sky Brumfield – Spelman College
Contributed great leadership and insight to her team’s third-place success.
People’s Choice – Team Red Tape Radar
Mariah Hicks – Spelman College