Screen Shot 2019 10 24 at 7.00.54 AM More than football, Magic City Classic connects students and business leaders through Code the Classic — Students networking at The YARD’s TennesseeState University event. Photo courtesy of The YARD

The Magic City Classic is more than a parade, tailgating, football game and concerts, it is also about networking and connecting students and employers.

The premiere event during the Magic Classic weekend that brings students and business leaders all together in one place is the Code the Classic Birmingham: Tech Career Fair and Expo on Friday, October 25, at Innovation Depot, hosted by the Birmingham Business Alliance.

Students and Business Leaders Welcome

Screen Shot 2019 10 24 at 7.00.03 AM More than football, Magic City Classic connects students and business leaders through Code the Classic — Students addressing The YARD’s Tennessee State University event. Photo courtesy of The YARD

Held in conjunction with the Magic City Classic, over 100 students from colleges and universities across Alabama will convene to focus on increasing the funnel of diverse tech talent coming to Birmingham, specifically related to students of color or underrepresented minorities.

In its sixth year, partners for the event include Innovate Birmingham, TechBirmingham and The YARD, presented by Vulcan Materials Company.

This year’s Code the Classic event will feature networking along with The YARD programming to award select Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) students scholarships and internships. The YARD is a new platform that connects tech, talent, and culture to advance innovation, infrastructure, and inclusion at HBCU’s.

Code the Classic Schedule

Screen Shot 2019 10 24 at 7.02.02 AM More than football, Magic City Classic connects students and business leaders through Code the Classic — The YARD competition winners at Tennessee State University. Photo courtesy of The YARD

9:00- 2:00 – Code the Classic Career Tech Expo
9:00-10:00 – The YARD Welcome+Networking
10:00 – The YARD Closed Pitch and Career Fair
11:00 – The YARD Intro w/ Remarks by Vulcan CEO

Leadership Roundtable –Erskine ‘Chuck’ Faush’ to Moderate Panel with:

Darren Hicks, VP, Human Resources, Vulcan Materials Company
David Germany, SVP, Treasurer, Protective Life
Doug Jones, US Senator for Alabama
Tiffany-Johnson Cole, Municipal Judge, Tuskegee Alabama
Waymond Jackson, SVP, Public Policy, Birmingham Business Alliance

Pitch Competition and student debate

After the roundtable, the innovation pitch competition and student debate will be with Alabama A&M University and Alabama State University students.

11:30 – The YARD Debate
11:45 – The YARD ‘Lightning Round’ Pitch
12:00 – The YARD Pitch Winners Announced
12:00- 2:00 – The YARD Immersive Studio.

Here are past stories that have appeared in Bham Now about The YARD events and programs.

THE YARD HBCU Tour will be at Birmingham’s Magic City Classic October 25. 7 things you need to know

Miles College renaissance provides a model for THE YARD, a national HBCU initiative born in Birmingham