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. 

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. 

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. 

“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.

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. 

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.

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

Other HBCUS Supporting Black Students in Gaming

Howard University – Chadwick A. Boseman College of Fine Arts

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. 

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. 

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. 

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. 

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. 

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

April is National Autism Acceptance Month, an important time to highlight the role Historically Black Colleges and Universities play in supporting students with varying abilities. Many HBCUs are implementing inclusive education initiatives, ensuring students of all abilities have access to resources that promote academic and social success. 

Schools such as Howard University, Morehouse College, and Spelman College are at the forefront of these efforts, developing programs and partnerships aimed at fostering an inclusive learning environment. However, as the demand for autism support services continues to grow, there is a need for expanded accessibility and comprehensive resources across all HBCUs.

Schools such as Howard University, Morehouse College, and Spelman College are at the forefront of these efforts, developing programs and partnerships aimed at fostering an inclusive learning environment. However, as the demand for autism support services continues to grow, there is a need for expanded accessibility and comprehensive resources across all HBCUs.

HBCUs Committed to Inclusive Education

HBCUs Committed to Inclusive Education

Several HBCUs have taken significant strides in supporting neurodiverse students:

Several HBCUs have taken significant strides in supporting neurodiverse students:

• Howard University – Offers research programs in speech and language pathology and provides resources for students with disabilities.
• Morehouse College – Partners with organizations to provide mentorship and support for students on the autism spectrum.
• Spelman College – Provides inclusive education initiatives and collaborates with disability advocacy groups.
• Alabama State University – Home to a nationally recognized Rehabilitation Studies program that supports individuals with disabilities.
• Jackson State University – Features an Office of Disability Services dedicated to providing accommodations and support for neurodivergent students.
• North Carolina A&T State University – Has programs designed to foster accessibility and inclusivity in higher education.

• Howard University – Offers research programs in speech and language pathology and provides resources for students with disabilities.
• Morehouse College – Partners with organizations to provide mentorship and support for students on the autism spectrum.
• Spelman College – Provides inclusive education initiatives and collaborates with disability advocacy groups.
• Alabama State University – Home to a nationally recognized Rehabilitation Studies program that supports individuals with disabilities.
• Jackson State University – Features an Office of Disability Services dedicated to providing accommodations and support for neurodivergent students.
• North Carolina A&T State University – Has programs designed to foster accessibility and inclusivity in higher education.

While these schools have made great progress, more can be done to ensure students with autism receive tailored support to help them thrive. Expanding scholarships, increasing autism-specific services, and fostering partnerships with advocacy groups are necessary steps toward a more inclusive future.

While these schools have made great progress, more can be done to ensure students with autism receive tailored support to help them thrive. Expanding scholarships, increasing autism-specific services, and fostering partnerships with advocacy groups are necessary steps toward a more inclusive future.

HBCU Alumni Supporting Autism Awareness

HBCU Alumni Supporting Autism Awareness

Beyond campus initiatives, HBCU alumni are making a national impact in the autism community. One standout example is Darius Thomas, M.S., CCC-SLP, a Howard University graduate and the CEO and Founder of Dynamic Therapy and Dynamic Cares, Inc. His work exemplifies the importance of culturally competent and accessible therapy services.

Beyond campus initiatives, HBCU alumni are making a national impact in the autism community. One standout example is Darius Thomas, M.S., CCC-SLP, a Howard University graduate and the CEO and Founder of Dynamic Therapy and Dynamic Cares, Inc. His work exemplifies the importance of culturally competent and accessible therapy services.

Dynamic Therapy provides speech and language services nationwide, while Dynamic Cares, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, was founded to remove financial and social barriers to essential therapy services for underserved communities. Darius has dedicated his career to increasing diversity in speech pathology, an industry where only 9% of speech-language pathologists identify as Black or African American, and fewer than 5% are male (ASHA, 2021). Recognizing the need for inclusive care, he has made it his mission to ensure clients from marginalized communities feel valued and understood.

Dynamic Therapy provides speech and language services nationwide, while Dynamic Cares, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, was founded to remove financial and social barriers to essential therapy services for underserved communities. Darius has dedicated his career to increasing diversity in speech pathology, an industry where only 9% of speech-language pathologists identify as Black or African American, and fewer than 5% are male (ASHA, 2021). Recognizing the need for inclusive care, he has made it his mission to ensure clients from marginalized communities feel valued and understood.

Autism Awareness in Action: The All-White Charity Brunch

Autism Awareness in Action: The All-White Charity Brunch

To honor National Autism Acceptance Month, Darius is leading an effort to raise awareness and funding for autism support programs. On April 5, 2025, Dynamic Cares will host an All-White Charity Brunch fundraiser at the Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta. This event will not only raise awareness about autism but will also fund scholarships for therapy, early intervention programs for infants, and critical resources for families in need.

To honor National Autism Acceptance Month, Darius is leading an effort to raise awareness and funding for autism support programs. On April 5, 2025, Dynamic Cares will host an All-White Charity Brunch fundraiser at the Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta. This event will not only raise awareness about autism but will also fund scholarships for therapy, early intervention programs for infants, and critical resources for families in need.

Darius invites fellow speech-language pathologists, the HBCU community, and advocates to support this movement. Whether by attending the brunch, donating, or spreading awareness, community involvement is essential to ensuring quality care is accessible for all.

Darius invites fellow speech-language pathologists, the HBCU community, and advocates to support this movement. Whether by attending the brunch, donating, or spreading awareness, community involvement is essential to ensuring quality care is accessible for all.

As we celebrate Autism Awareness Month, it is crucial to recognize and amplify the efforts of HBCUs and their alumni in fostering an inclusive and supportive educational environment. By advocating for expanded programs and supporting initiatives like Dynamic Cares, we can help ensure that students with autism have the opportunity to excel academically and socially, creating a future where inclusivity is the standard, not the exception.

As we celebrate Autism Awareness Month, it is crucial to recognize and amplify the efforts of HBCUs and their alumni in fostering an inclusive and supportive educational environment. By advocating for expanded programs and supporting initiatives like Dynamic Cares, we can help ensure that students with autism have the opportunity to excel academically and socially, creating a future where inclusivity is the standard, not the exception.