The Houston-Tiltson University team finished second and received $ 20,000, while third-place Morehouse College won $ 10,000. NFL legend and businessman Marshawn “Beastmod” Lynch has surprisingly announced that he and current NFL players Josh Johnson and Marcus Peters will donate $ 10,000 to a scholarship from their foundation.
Various NFL executives and staff from the league and media office have served as keynote speakers, team advisors and competition judges throughout the four-day event. Gregory Gibson Jr., founder and CEO of HBCU’s Battle of the Brain, created the competition to support HBCU’s mission while providing a platform for outstanding business and STEM students in the African American community and technology industry. The HBCU Battle of the Brain also demonstrates the NFL’s commitment to innovation to move the game forward.
“I am proud of every student who participated in the 5th Annual HBCU Battle of the Brain, “ Gibson Jr. says.These amazing students are worth watching and the full support of the National Football League is what these bright minds are capable of doing. “
“It’s a privilege to be a competition judge at the HBCU Battle of the Brain. “ David Jurenka is the general manager of SVP and NFL Media. “It was a difficult decision to choose from among the many exceptionally talented teams whose projects were not only thought-provoking but also presented in such a dynamic way that they challenged us throughout the discussion. I look forward to following their journey in the near future. “
Lamar Campbell, the NFL legend and current vice president of the Chicago Bears’ player engagement, has witnessed the first-hand brilliance of HBCU students. “At HBCU Battle of the Brain I saw the excellence of men and women is a highlight of my NFL career“, According to Campbell. “The opportunity to spend time with the amazing students of Austin and to learn about the rich history and culture they have created at this event inspires me in a special way that contributes to my day-to-day work with the Chicago Bears. I see myself in them and contribute to the future. Opportunities that you can do because if you want to see the future, you have to influence the present. “
Presenter on an NFL panel entitled “The Come Up: Transitioning from Field to Boardroom” was Steve Witch, NFL Network Reporter / Host, NFL legend and actor Debal Ellis, Dead Ace’s author and co-host with Khaden and Devel, N.L.N. , Pittsburgh Steelers, owner of Vibes Universal Apparel, Marcus Peters, NFL Player, Baltimore Ravens, co-founder of Fam 1st Family Foundation and owner of Juiceman Apparel, and Kelvin Beachum, NFL Player, Arizona Cardinals and investors, how they They have shared their success on the field with their off-field business ventures. The week also included briefings with administrators, HBCU presidents and NFL leaders.
Natara Hallway, NFL Vice President of Business Operations and Strategy, hosted a special fireside chat featuring football and business pioneer African American women. Valerie Daniels-Carter, one of America’s leading entrepreneurs, president and CEO of V&J Foods, a holding company, Inc. Owner of the NBA-Champions Milwaukee Box. Adrian Brassey, author and inspirational speaker, spent 18 years as an executive at the Miami Dolphins, Arizona Cardinals and St. Louis Rams (now Los Angeles Rams) with their first Super Bowl win early in his career in the NFL.
For more information, check out the HBCU Battle of the Brain and follow on Twitter (hbcubotbrains) and Instagram (@hbcubotbrains).
About the HBCU war in the brain
HBCU Battle of the Brain, LLC is dedicated to fighting injustice in an industry where blacks and browns are under-represented. This is accomplished by designing and delivering engaging programs that bring together not only top students and industry leaders, but also make each unit proficient in mentoring industry-specific challenges (HBCU Battle of the Brain Competition, Hybrid Hackathon, Business Case, etc.). Gives. (HBCU office hours) and professional development (#ReadyToWork, etc.) at their best. We do our best to showcase the best business and STEM students HBCU has to offer in our country, as well as introduce these highly respected talents to amazing companies and career paths.
About the NFL-HBCU Initiative
In May 2016, the NFL, in partnership with two major HBCU Sports Conferences – the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) and the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC), began the power of HBCUs influencing pro football since 1948. The initiative has since expanded to other conferences and schools to recognize and strengthen the relationship with HBCU across the country. As part of this relationship, the NFL has created several HBCU-focused programs to raise student awareness and interest in careers in football administration and the sports industry.