Spelman’s Game Jam is the Ultimate Play and Inspiring Others to Follow their Lead

Spelman College is on a mission to make sure more Black creators have a space in the gaming industry. The Atlanta-based institution’s 3rd annual Game Jam is a big part of that effort. 

Hosted by the Spelman Innovation Lab, the event brings together students for 48 hours of hands-on game development. Students get to learn about coding, design, storytelling, and teamwork, all while building their own games from scratch. 

The goal is to help Black students see themselves not just as gamers, but as game makers. 

“We want students to not only see themselves as players but as creators, leaders, and innovators in this space,” said Dr. Jerry Volcy, Director of the Innovation Lab. 

The gaming industry is a huge market, projected to have generated about $187.7 billion in 2024, and expectations to reach $213.3 billion by 2027. Despite this growth, the representation within the industry remains a concern.

While nearly half of gamers are women, and a significant portion are from diverse backgrounds, the industry’s workforce doesn’t reflect this diversity. Approximately 70% of gaming industry employees are male. In terms of racial diversity, 19% of gaming employees are Black, which is higher than the national workforce average. 

Representation in game content also lags. According to The Guardian, only 2% of video games feature openly LGBTQ+ characters, despite 17% of gamers identifying as LGBT. Furthermore 72% of gamers express a desire for more diversity in games and marketing.

Other HBCUS Supporting Black Students in Gaming

Howard University – Chadwick A. Boseman College of Fine Arts

Howard University’s Chadwick A. Boseman College of Fine Arts collaborates with industry leaders like Epic Games and Unity, providing students with access to professional-grade tools and training. This partnership aims to enhance the learning experience and prepare students for careers in the creative industries. 

North Carolina A&T
NCAT fosters a vibrant game development community through Esports events and design challenges. The Esports lab opened in 2024, giving students hands-on access to high-end gaming equipment and a space to explore careers in game design, marketing, and tech. With over 80% of Black youth regularly playing video games, the university aims to shift students from consumers to creators, showing them the many career paths within the gaming industry. 

Bowie State University
Bowie State University’s Computer Science department offers a Master of Science program that includes a focus on game development through the VR Lab, which provides hands-on experience with modeling, simulations, and game development. While there’s no explicitly named “gaming track,” the program’s emphasis on VR/AR, simulations, and game development suggests a strong connection to the gaming industry. 

Representation Matters
Representation in gaming extends beyond on-screen characters, it’s about who creates the games. Initiatives like Spelman’s Game Jam and similar programs and other HBCU’s are pivotal in equipping Black students with the tools and confidence to shape the future of the gaming industry. 

As more institutions support these endeavors, the gaming world moves towards a more inclusive and diverse future.