Five years ago, Qeyno launched the first hackathon for Black Male Achievement that challenged the tech industry to address the question, “Could an app have saved Trayvon Martin?”. Hundreds participated in the first Hackathon Academy designed for low-opportunity youth with a special focus but exclusive to young men of color and made history.
Since then, Hackathon Academy has shaped the "learn to code" movement to become inclusive of low-opportunity youth, from hackathons between youth of color and police officers to hackathons for Native Youth in New Mexico.
Hackathon Academy is now Hackathon Worlds and is the first of big changes ushered by Qeyno as part of our "public works" projects. Our first "Hackathon Worlds" will be a three-day immersive experience focused on web, mobile, and gaming apps that improve the health outcomes of Black, young men of color and the communities that surround them. Just as with the first hackathon, all genders, races, and identities are welcome to join this special event. Twenty teams will compete in five areas: Food and Wellness, Toxic Masculinity, Restorative Justice, Family and Relationships, and a fifth topic to be decided by public voting.
Members of Qeyno will be the first to learn, test, and provide feedback on Hackathon Worlds and the many new projects to come. Future updates will be reflected on this page.