Bowie State Alumna Entrepreneur to Participate in Historic HBCU Pitch Competition During NY Tech Week

Bowie State University's Carolyn Alston '26 will participate as a finalist in the first-ever HBCU Pitch Competition in Times Square on June 6 during New York Tech Week. The event is designed to increase visibility, investment opportunities and access to resources for Black founders and student entrepreneurs, while showcasing innovation emerging from HBCU campuses nationwide.

Hosted by Venture for T.H.E.M., in partnership with The DM Firm and the Times Square Alliance, the inaugural competition is part of Activate LIVE!, a public showcase highlighting emerging founders and innovators. Participants will pitch their ventures before a panel of judges representing organizations in business, technology, entrepreneurship and innovation.

Alston is one of only five entrepreneurs selected from Historically Black Colleges and Universities nationwide to compete in the event. She is a Bowie State Master of Arts in Organizational Communications graduate and founder of Communic8 It!, a conversational card game designed to foster meaningful communication and connection. The game helps users build stronger interpersonal relationships through guided conversations that encourage reflection and engagement.

"I am proud to represent Bowie State and HBCU entrepreneurs in this pitch competition," said Alston. "This is an extraordinary opportunity and great show of support for student innovators and HBCU entrepreneurship programs nationwide."

Alston's participation comes on the heels of her recent success at Bowie State University's 2026 Bulldog Pitch Competition, where Communic8 It! earned first place in the Revenue Non-Tech category. The annual competition, hosted by the Entrepreneurship Innovation Center (EIC), attracted a record number of student entrepreneurs and attendees this year.

"Carolyn's selection to compete in Times Square demonstrates the caliber of innovation being developed by Bowie State students," said Johnetta Hardy, founder and executive director of the EIC. "We are proud to be a sponsor of the HBCU Pitch Competition and help make this opportunity possible for Carolyn and her fellow entrepreneurs."

###

About Bowie State University
Founded in 1865, Bowie State University is the first Historically Black College/University (HBCU) in Maryland and one of the ten oldest in the country. Bowie State has earned the Research College and University designation in the 2025 Carnegie Research Activity Classification. As a leading institution of higher learning, Bowie State University offers more than 65 bachelor's, master's, doctoral and certificate programs across arts and sciences, technology, business, education, healthcare and related disciplines. The university provides high-quality and affordable educational opportunities in a supportive environment that empowers students to think critically, make new discoveries, value differences and emerge as leaders in a highly technical, rapidly changing global society. For more information, visit bowiestate.edu. 

MEDIA CONTACT: Kelly Alexander, [email protected], 301-860-6017