WAV Hackathon

💡 About the Challenge

This hackathon is open to Urban League members who are undergraduate or graduate students in Hampton Roads universities or community colleges. It’s a chance to practice team development, collaboration, and problem-solving while creating projects that matter to our community.

We believe all students deserve the opportunity to showcase their creativity and grow their skills — there is no GPA requirement. This event is designed to help participants build their programming portfolios and demonstrate innovation beyond the classroom.

We’re challenging you to tackle real problems in Hampton Roads.

• Your project should address a social issue or help build community in the region.

• Themes may include environmental, educational or social challenges, equity, campus life, or other pressing issues you notice around Hampton Roads.

• We encourage you to do your research on the Hampton Roads area (Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Chesapeake, Hampton, Newport News, Portsmouth, and Suffolk) as we will be judging the creativity of your project as well.

• Projects can be a web app, prototype, or technology concept — what matters most is the potential impact your project can make.

The goal: to empower Urban League students to turn ideas into solutions that serve Hampton Roads and strengthen our community.

🚀 Getting Started

1. Form Your Team

   • Teams can be 2–5 people.

   • At least one team member must be a dues-paying Urban League member.

   • If you’re a recent graduate (within 2 years), you must be an Urban League member to participate. Recent graduates must have at least one student on their team.

   • There is no age cap. We understand there are non-traditional students at colleges and universities across Hampton Roads, and they are encouraged to join, as long as they are over the age of 18.

2. Identify a Problem

   • Choose a social issue or community challenge from your college campus or the wider Hampton Roads area.

   • Examples include: environmental concerns, equity and inclusion, student life, or local community needs.

3. Start Creating

   • Decide whether your solution will be a web app, prototype, or technology concept.

   • Focus on impact and creativity — your GPA doesn’t matter here, only your ideas and teamwork.

4. Use the Resources

   • There will be a welcome meeting to introduce participants to a number of available tools for the hackathon.

   • Check out any starter guides, coding tools, or community mentors available during the event.

   • Ask questions early, collaborate often, and don’t be afraid to think outside the box.