Black CS Summit 2025 Hackathon

Black CS Summit 2025 Hackathon: Tech for Thriving Cities

Theme: Tech for Thriving Cities: Innovating for a Better Chicago
At the Black CS Summit 2025 Hackathon, you’ll build technology that makes city life smarter, safer, and more connected—across sustainability, civic tech, public health, and small business support. Expect high-impact mentorship, product + engineering support, and access to real Chicago data to spark transformative ideas.

Why this hackathon (our story)

We’re here to empower the next generation of local innovators to shape the future of their city. This is an opportunity to form relationships that grow into careers, companies, and community impact.

Skill-building goals

• Take ownership of your city & your craft

• Have a seat at the table and use your voice

• Clarify your “Why” and build with identity & purpose

• Practice Intentional AI and Success on Purpose—build things that matter

Guiding values

• Global Majority: center communities historically excluded from tech decision-making

• Building With Purpose: ship solutions that uplift neighborhoods, not just metrics

Challenge prompt

~80% of AI initiatives in companies aren’t profitable.
What can AI make other than money? Build something that changes your community for the better—reduce harm, increase access, strengthen trust, and deliver real-world utility.

Possible directions: street-level safety + transit insights, resource finders for small businesses, public-health early signals, energy & waste dashboards, equitable city service feedback loops, or trustworthy information tools.

Schedule (Day Of)

• 9:00 AM – Breakfast & Kickoff

• 10:30 AM – Hackathon Strategy 101 (team formation, scoping, milestones)

• 11:30 AM – Bootstrapping for Dummies (MVP in hours, not weeks)

• 1:00 PM – Intersectionality of Tech Panel

• 4:00 PM – Project Submission

• 6:00 PM – Awards & Networking

What you’ll get

• Mentors in product, data, design, and engineering

• Real Chicago datasets and APIs (civic, mobility, health, business)

• Tech support for rapid prototyping (frontend, backend, AI/ML, data viz)

Judging criteria

1. Community Impact (30%) – Clear problem fit; benefits a real Chicago user group

2. Intentional AI (20%) – Uses AI ethically, transparently, and for social good

3. Technical Execution (20%) – Architecture, code quality, data handling, feasibility

4. Design & UX (15%) – Accessibility, clarity, and usability on first use

5. Story & Purpose (15%) – Your “Why,” stakeholder understanding, and path to adoption

Submission requirements

• Devpost project page with description & team members

• 3–5 minute demo video (show the product in action)

• GitHub repo link (include setup steps)

• One-pager: problem, users, your “Why,” solution, impact, next steps

• Data & AI note: sources used, limitations, risk/mitigation, bias & privacy considerations

Eligibility & teams

• Open to students, emerging professionals, and community members.

• Teams of 2–5 recommended (solo is okay, but team up if you can).

• All skill levels welcome; we’ll help you scope something you can ship.

Code of conduct

Be respectful, collaborative, and inclusive. Credit sources, protect data privacy, and design for equity.