The FinTech Center

The 6th ANNUAL NATIONAL HBCU BLOCKCHAIN, FINTECH, AND AI CONFERENCE
2025-09-19 - 2025-09-20
The National Center for the Study of Blockchain and FinTech at The Graves Business School is pleased to announce

Submission Guidelines

The 6th ANNUAL
NATIONAL HBCU BLOCKCHAIN, FINTECH, AND AI CONFERENCE

6th Annual National HBCU Blockchain, FinTech, and AI Conference Hosted by the Willie A. Deese College of Business and Economics, North Carolina A&T State University

We invite scholars, researchers, practitioners, and graduate students to submit original
work for presentation at the 6th Annual National HBCU Blockchain, FinTech, and AI
Conference. This peer-reviewed conference brings together thought leaders exploring the
transformative impact of blockchain, financial technology, artificial intelligence, and their
convergence with education, policy, and innovation.
Conference Details
• Conference Dates: September 19–20, 2025
• Location: North Carolina A&T State University, Greensboro, NC

• Submission Deadline: Friday, July 1, 2025, by 11:59 PM EST
• Notification of Acceptance: By July 15, 2025

1. Types of Submissions
We welcome the following submission types:
A. Full Papers

Purpose: Empirical or conceptual research with complete findings
Length: 15–30 pages (including all references, tables, and figures)
Required Sections:

Title Page (title, author(s), affiliations, contact information)
Abstract (150–250 words)
Introduction
Literature Review
Methodology
Results / Findings
Discussion
Conclusion
References (APA 7 format)
Appendices (if applicable)
Tables and Figures (labeled and referenced)

B. Extended Abstracts

Purpose: Research-in-progress or early-stage studies
Length: 1,500-2000 words (about 3-4 pages, excluding references)
Required Elements:
o Title
o Author(s) and Affiliation(s)
o Research Objective or Question
o Brief Theoretical Framework
o Methodological Approach
o Preliminary or Anticipated Findings
o Relevance and Contribution
o References (APA format, minimum of 3)

C. Workshop Proposals

Purpose: Conceptual, pedagogical, or industry-based sessions aligned with the conference theme
Length: 800-1000 words (about 2 pages, 1.5 spaced)
Required Elements:

o Proposal Title
o Author(s) and Affiliation(s)
o Problem Statement or Topic Focus
o Proposed Session Structure or Concept
o Intended Contribution
o Relevance to Blockchain, FinTech, AI, or Interdisciplinary Innovation
2. Formatting Requirements

Accepted File Types: Microsoft Word (.docx) or PDF (.pdf)
Font: Times New Roman, 12 pt
Spacing: 1.5 spaced
Margins: 1 inch on all sides
Style Guide: APA 7th Edition

3. File Naming Convention
Use the following naming format:
Name your file using the following format:
LastName_FirstName_HBCU2025Submission.pdf
Example: Taylor_Alex_HBCU2025Submission.docx
4. Submission Portal
All submissions must be uploaded through the official Google Form submission portal:
https://forms.gle/Z7R5M9HEZvyHcELH9
(If needed, contact Dr. Okafor for assistance)
5. Review Process
 All submissions will be peer-reviewed by a multidisciplinary review committee.
 Notifications of acceptance will be sent by July 15, 2025.
 Accepted authors must register for the conference and present their work in person.
6. Conference Tracks
Align your submission with one of the following thematic tracks:
1. Finance, Markets, and Business Applications
2. Technology, Infrastructure, and Security
3. Computational Systems, Modeling, and Engineering Innovation
4. Sustainability, Ethics, and Regulation
5. Education and Pedagogy
6. Creativity, Culture, and Interdisciplinary Innovation
7. Questions or Support?
Please contact the Conference Planning Committee:
Conference Co-Chair:
Dr. Collins E. Okafor, Ph.D.
Email: ceokafor@ncat.edu
Conference Chair:
Dr. Ali Emdad, Ph.D.
Email: Ali.Emdad@morgan.edu

The Convergence of Blockchain and AI: A New Era for Entertainment and Digital Ownership
2025-04-30 12:00 - 13:00 (America/New_York)
Blockchain and AI are reshaping the entertainment industry by transforming how digital content is created, owned, and monetized. This webinar explores the powerful synergy between these two technologies and how they drive innovation in digital rights, fan engagement, and content distribution. Learn how creators, platforms, and consumers are entering a new era of transparency, personalization, and decentralized control.
Presenter: Koushik Gavini with Gala Games
Wednesday, April 30th, 2025
12:00–1:00 PM EST / (9:00–10:00 AM PST)
Zoom Meeting Link
Registration is required, BUT attendance is FREE.

This workshop will cover the topics below and give everyone a better glimpse into the new era.

What Blockchain Brings
What AI Adds to the Mix
The Synergy
Real-World Examples
What It Means for Creators and Consumers

Faculty, students, administrators, and staff interested in FinTech, cryptocurrencies, and economic innovation are encouraged to attend. The workshop will also provide valuable insights for those guiding students in these emerging fields.

How Open-Source Communities Are Shaping CBDC Innovation
2025-03-31 12:00 - 13:00
Karen Ottoni, Sr. Director of Ecosystem & Strategic Initiatives at LF Decentralized Trust joins the Fintech Center at Morgan State University and the HBCU network to share her presentation on the CBDC space and how it is being impacted by Open–Source

Shaping CBDC Innovation
an Online Workshop
Presenter: Karen Ottoni, Sr. Director of Ecosystem & Strategic Initiatives at LF Decentralized Trust
Monday, March 31, 2025
12:00–1:00 PM EST / (9:00–10:00 AM PST)

About the Workshop!
This webinar will demystify CBDCs and highlight the collaborative nature of their development, particularly the critical contributions of open–source communities in designing, testing, and securing innovative digital currency infrastructure. We will also discuss the role of the U.S. federal government in advancing CBDC research, including policy considerations around privacy, cybersecurity, and economic stability.

What are CBDCs, and how do they differ from stablecoins and cryptocurrencies?

The open–source model: collaboration, transparency, and innovation

Case studies from global CBDC pilots and the use of open–source tools

Regulatory and policy frameworks in the U.S.

The importance of public-private partnerships in fintech innovation

Faculty, students, administrators, and staff interested in FinTech, cryptocurrencies, and economic innovation are encouraged to attend. The workshop will also provide valuable insights for those guiding students in these emerging fields.

Stablecoins 101
2025-03-24 12:00 - 13:00
About the Workshop!
This beginner-friendly session will explore stablecoins, a category of cryptocurrencies designed to maintain a stable value by being pegged to real-world assets. The discussion will cover:

The fundamentals of stablecoins and how they differ from other digital assets.

Their role in financial inclusion, cross-border transactions, and economic empowerment for underserved communities.

An introduction to Ripple’s RLUSD stablecoin and its applications.

Faculty, students, administrators, and staff interested in FinTech, cryptocurrencies, and economic innovation are encouraged to attend. The workshop will also provide valuable insights for those guiding students in these emerging fields.

A Time With Chime
2024-11-06 12:00 - 13:00
We’ve got something super exciting lined up just for you! Morgan’s National FinTech Center is hosting an awesome webinar that’ll take you on an adventure through the world of Generative AI with Chime! With our special Guest Rekha Venkatakrishnan, The Director of Product Management at Chime
What’s in store?
In this dynamic session, you’ll discover how Generative AI is revolutionizing industries, sparking creativity, and shaping the future. Whether you’re passionate about tech, art, or the ethical challenges of AI, this is your chance to dive deep and engage with one of the best in the biz!
Webinar Details:
Date: November 6th
Time: 12 PM EST
Where to register: Register Here!
Webinar Link: Launch Meeting
So grab your favorite snack, find a cozy spot, and let’s explore the future of technology as a community! We can’t wait to see you there!

Blockchain Interoperability!
2024-11-04 12:00 - 13:00
We’ve got something super exciting lined up just for you! The National FinTech Center is hosting an awesome webinar that’ll take you on an adventure through the world of Blockchain Interoperability!
What’s in store?
Join us for an engaging session led by the amazing Peter Somogyvari, a Software Product Architect. He’ll unravel how different blockchains can communicate and collaborate—think of it as the ultimate tech team-up!
Webinar Details:
Date: November 4th
Time: 12 PM EST
Where to register: Blockchain Interoperability Webinar!
Whether you’re just curious about crypto or blockchain, this is your chance to broaden your horizons and ask all those burning questions. Plus, you’ll get to connect with fellow tech enthusiasts and innovators—who knows what ideas you might spark together!
So grab your favorite snack, find a cozy spot, and let’s explore the future of technology as a community! We can’t wait to see you there!

Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs
2024-10-28 12:00 - 13:00
Hi everyone!
We at the National FinTech Center are thrilled to invite you to an engaging webinar titled “Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs,” featuring special guest speaker James Loperfido, CEO of Kismetrics.
Date: Monday, October 28, 2024
Time: 12:00 PM EST / 9:00 AM PT
Whether you’re a seasoned investor or simply curious about crypto, this session is designed for you. James Loperfido will:

Break down the complexities of Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs
Share insights on current market trends
Answer your most pressing questions

This is a fantastic opportunity to learn from one of the industry’s leading voices and connect with fellow FinTech and crypto enthusiasts.
Register here: Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs
Don’t miss this chance to expand your knowledge and engage with our community.
We look forward to seeing you there!
Warm regards,

Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs
2024-09-23 12:00 - 13:00
Title: Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs
When: Monday September 23, 2024 at 9am PT, Noon ET
Presenter:
James Loperfido, Kissmetrics
Zoom Link:
https://zoom.us/j/92808823154
Seminar Goals:

Presentation/discussion/Q&A
Broad overview of how Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs work and what they mean for the Web3 space

Seminar Recording:
TBD
Seminar Presentation Deck:
TBD
Quick Links:
Morgan State Fintech Center: https://fintech.morgan.edu/
Hyperledger Wiki: https://wiki.hyperledger.org/
Thanks to Morgan State Fintech Center for organizing these Seminars.
https://fintech.morgan.edu/
Hyperledger Code of Conduct
https://toc.hyperledger.org/governing-documents/code-of-conduct.html
To find out more about Hyperledger, please check out our
Website: https://www.hyperledger.org/
Wiki: https://wiki.hyperledger.org/
GitHub: https://github.com/hyperledger
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Hyperledger
Discord: https://discord.gg/hyperledger
#morgan-state-seminars: https://discord.com/channels/905194001349627914/1077628668794380369

How to Get a Job in Web3
2024-09-09 12:00 - 13:00
Title: How to Get a Job in Web3
When: Monday September 9, 2024 at 9am PT, Noon ET
Presenter:
John Carpenter, Ultra Commerce
Jim Mason, Sky Web Team
Zoom Link:
https://zoom.us/j/94136984241
Seminar Goals:

Presentation/discussion/Q&A
Understanding the kinds of roles and careers that are available in the Web3 space

Seminar Recording:
TBD
Seminar Presentation Deck:
TBD
Quick Links:
Morgan State Fintech Center: https://fintech.morgan.edu/
Hyperledger Wiki: https://wiki.hyperledger.org/
Thanks to Morgan State Fintech Center for organizing these Seminars.
https://fintech.morgan.edu/
Hyperledger Code of Conduct
https://toc.hyperledger.org/governing-documents/code-of-conduct.html
To find out more about Hyperledger, please check out our
Website: https://www.hyperledger.org/
Wiki: https://wiki.hyperledger.org/
GitHub: https://github.com/hyperledger
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Hyperledger
Discord: https://discord.gg/hyperledger
#morgan-state-seminars: https://discord.com/channels/905194001349627914/1077628668794380369

FinTech for Financial Inclusion: Empowering the Unbanked and Underbanked
2024-02-20 07:00 - 08:00
WATCH THE SESSION HERE
Join Cross River’s Afolabi Ogunnaike, Strategic Initiatives Director, and Marcarena Valdez, Senior Business Development Lead for Cards & Accounts for our upcoming webinar, “FinTech for Financial Inclusion: Empowering the Unbanked and Underbanked.” Afolabi and Macarena will explore innovative FinTech solutions bridging gaps in financial access. Discover how technology transforms banking for marginalized communities, fostering economic empowerment and inclusion. Don’t miss the insights that can shape a more inclusive financial landscape.
MEET THE SPEAKERS

Afolabi Ogunnaike is the Director of Strategic Initiatives at Cross River. He leads teams to execute enterprise-wide projects that enhance the bank’s performance. He previously was part of the Business Strategy &Operations team focused on building a suite of Digital Assets products.
Earlier in his career, Afolabi held strategy roles at McKinsey & Company and USAA. He started his career as a chemical engineer and holds degrees from Cornell University and the University of Texas at Austin.

Macarena Valdez is Senior Business Development Lead for Cards & Accounts at Cross River. Macarena began her Cross River journey in March 2022 and has been instrumental in leading all business development efforts for Card Issuing and Deposit Accounts. Prior to joining Cross River, Macarena was at TMX Finance where she held positions from General Manager to District Director of Operations.
At Cross River, Macarena played a pivotal role as the business development lead on the development of a secured card designed to assist cardholders in building credit. Additionally, Macarena led Relationship Sales Training and Product Sales Enablement for her region at TMX Finance and is an alumna of Our Lady of the Lake University.

WEB3: Smart Contracts and Use Cases
2023-10-10 08:00 - 09:00
WEB3: Smart Contracts and Use Cases
The National FinTech Center at Morgan State University and AON invite HBCU faculty, students, and alumni to attend WEB3: Smart Contracts and Use Cases will be a virtual panel discussion on Tuesday, October 10, 2023, from 12:00-1:00 pm ET.
The panel will feature members of AON’s Growth Ventures team. You don’t want to miss this panel discussion and interactive Q& A session following the panel.
REGISTER IN ADVANCE
You will receive a unique link to join the event. There is no charge, but advance registration is required.
Meet the Speakers
Philip Rage is a Director within Aon’s Growth Ventures Strategy team – prior to joining Aon six months ago Phil started off his career at a small independent insurance brokers specializing in hedge funds and investment managers before moving to work as an Underwriter at large US Insurance Company and at a Lloyds of London Syndicate and then onto run the financial Institutions team at the worlds largest international underwriting agencies.

Trey Buckingham is a Strategy Analyst with Aon Growth Ventures, Aon’s net-new innovation function focused on investing ahead of revenue for new solutions and capabilities tailored to large unmet client needs. Before joining Aon Growth Ventures in January 2023, Trey was an Account Executive with Aon’s Large Market account team where he was responsible for managing some of Aon’s largest client relationships. He also worked as a Sales & Operations Analyst and played a key role in the continued development of Aon’s Industry Practice Groups. Prior to joining Aon, Trey earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance from Miami University’s Farmer School of Business.

Decentralization and Privacy on Blockchain: the Basics
2023-09-07 08:00 - 09:00
REGISTER IN ADVANCE
Title: Decentralization and Privacy on Blockchain: the Basics
When: Thursday, September 7, 2023 – 12Noon ET
Presenter:
Hart Montgomery, CTO, Hyperledger Foundation
Seminar Goals:

How decentralization is at the core of blockchain, what it means for security, the blockchain trilemma, and how to make sure you “get decentralization right” in blockchain.
Why privacy and confidentiality are necessary on a blockchain, what are some techniques we can use to achieve privacy and confidentiality, and how we should think about them.

Seminar Recording:
Seminar Presentation Deck:
Quick Links:
Morgan State Fintech Center: https://fintech.morgan.edu/
Hyperledger Wiki: https://wiki.hyperledger.org/
Thanks to Morgan State Fintech Center for organizing these Seminars.
https://fintech.morgan.edu/
Hyperledger Code of Conduct
https://toc.hyperledger.org/governing-documents/code-of-conduct.html
To find out more about Hyperledger, please check out our
Website: https://www.hyperledger.org/
Wiki: https://wiki.hyperledger.org/
GitHub: https://github.com/hyperledger
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Hyperledger
Discord: https://discord.gg/hyperledger
#morgan-state-seminars: https://discord.com/channels/905194001349627914/1077628668794380369

Building a Decentralized Application (dApp)
2023-06-06 11:00 - 12:00
REGISTER IN ADVANCE HERE!
Title: Building a Decentralized Application (dApp)
When: 11amET, June 6, 2023
Presenters:
Kyle Nielson @ The Blockchain Academy
Jim Sullivan @ The Blockchain Academy
Seminar Goals:

Demo a working dApp.
Deconstruct the layers and discuss the architecture and run times.
Review the building blocks on a generic developer desktop and a preview of building the same or similar dApps on Hyperledger Fabric (HF) using the Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM).
Questions and Answers

Seminar Recording: TBD
Seminar Deck: TBD
Quick Links:
Thanks to our Member, The Blockchain Academy for providing the speakers and material.
http://theblockchainacademy.com
Hyperledger Code of Conduct
https://toc.hyperledger.org/governing-documents/code-of-conduct.html
To find out more about Hyperledger, please check out our
Website: https://www.hyperledger.org/
Wiki: https://wiki.hyperledger.org/
GitHub: https://github.com/hyperledger
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Hyperledger
Discord: https://discord.gg/hyperledger
#morgan-state-seminars: https://discord.com/channels/905194001349627914/1077628668794380369

Convergence of Blockchain, IoT, and AI: Challenges and Opportunities
2023-04-11 12:00 - 13:00
MEET THE SPEAKER

Florence Hudson is Executive Director and Principal Investigator for the NSF and NIH funded Northeast Big Data Innovation Hub at Columbia University, COVID Information Commons, Cybersecurity Risk Conference, and National Student Data Corps. She is also the Founder and CEO of FDHint, LLC, a global advanced technology and diversity & inclusion consulting firm. She serves on Boards including Blockchain in Healthcare Today, the Neuroscience Outreach Network, Stony Brook University Mechanical Engineering, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering, UC San Diego Distributed Energy Resources DERConnect, and Princeton University Civil and Environmental Engineering. She is a former IBM Vice President and Chief Technology Officer, Internet2 Senior Vice President and Chief Innovation Officer, Special Advisor for the NSF Cybersecurity Center of Excellence, and aerospace engineer at the NASA Jet Propulsion Lab and Grumman Aerospace Corporation. She Chairs the global IEEE/UL Standards Working Group on Clinical Internet of Things (IoT) Data and Device Interoperability with TIPPSS – Trust, Identity, Privacy, Protection, Safety and Security, and has published books on TIPPSS including Women Securing the Future with TIPPSS For IoT and Connected Healthcare. She earned her Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering degree from Princeton University, and executive education diplomas from Harvard Business School and Columbia University.

This webinar explores the convergence of three cutting-edge technologies and the digital transformation brought about by their integration, creating new possibilities and the need for innovative solutions to tackle emerging issues. The webinar will provide insights into the current state of the convergence of these technologies and their potential impact on our lives and society.
REGISTER IN ADVANCE

Decentralized Identity
2023-02-22 07:00 - 2023-02-28 08:00
Introduction to Decentralized Identity | February 22, 2023
Watch the full session HERE.
This session is meant to be a broad overview of Decentralized Identity. The one-hour discussion will help you understand the topic, why it is important and the new capabilities it gives enterprises and individuals. In addition, we will discuss how it works, and where this work is happening (Hyperledger, Decentralized Identity Foundation, W3C, Internet Identity Workshop, etc.).
For additional information about this topic, check out the next session on Tuesday, Feb 28 at 12 Eastern that will go into more technical detail about decentralized identity.
This event is being co-developed with Morgan State University and Indicio.

Technical Overview of Decentralized Identity | February 28, 2023
Watch the full session HERE.
This one hour session will cover, at a high level, the components, codebases and standards involved in Decentralized Identity, specifically at Hyperledger (Indy, Aries, Anoncreds, Ursa) and where there are opportunities to learn more and get involved.
For an introduction to concepts of decentralized identity, join the session on Tuesday, Feb 21 at 12 Eastern. And for additional information about this topic, check out the in-depth technical workshops on Hyperledger Indy and Aries.
This event is being co-developed with Morgan State University and Indicio.

Art + NFT Technology Competition
2023-01-30 - 2023-04-03
Submission Deadline: April 3, 2023 | Announcement of Winners, April 19, 2023
Submit Your Original Artwork!

The National FinTech Center, in collaboration with the College of Liberal Arts and the School of Architecture, announce a unique digital art competition for students at Morgan State University.
House of First has offered to create NFTs (non-fungible tokens) from the winning artwork (on a supported blockchain platform).
Guidelines for Digital Art Design Competition:

Must be a Morgan State University Student
The subject of the competition is to depict a) an event, b) a person or c) an object (a physical item or place, a building, groups of buildings, or an area) that was transformational in the history of Morgan State University. House of First has provided $2,000 as a prize for the winning artist in each of the three categories.
Entries should be original designs and must be the work of the student submitting them.
Entries should be in digital formats, such as JPEG, PNG, or TIFF.
The file size should be 631 pixels X 631 pixels.
Only one entry per student is allowed.
Entries must include a title and a brief (100 words or less) explanation of the design and its significance to the history of Morgan State University.
Entries should be submitted by the deadline specified by the organizer.
The NFTs of the winning entries will be auctioned, and the proceeds will be shared between the artists, their academic departments, and the National FinTech Center for Art+Technology projects at Morgan.
The National FinTech Center reserves the right to use the winning design for promotional and marketing materials.
By submitting an entry, students agree to the terms and conditions of the competition and allow their artwork to be used for marketing and promotional purposes.

Submit Your Original Artwork!

The 3rd Annual National HBCU Blockchain and FinTech Conference
2022-11-07 - 2022-11-08 | Hyatt Regency Orlando, 9801 International Drive, Orlando, FL, 32819, United States
*The HBCU Presidents’ Summit will be offered in the Spring of 2023. Please check back later for more details.
Agenda

The Annual National HBCU Blockchain and FinTech Conference is the FinTech Center’s premier event for connecting with university leaders, faculty, and students discussing today’s challenges and opportunities, and shaping the future of FinTech education and research. The Annual National HBCU Blockchain and FinTech Conference, November 06-08, 2022 will provide a forum for the faculty, students, and administrators in the FinTech Center’s HBCU Consortium to hear and discuss the findings of sponsored research and outcomes of sponsored innovative blockchain projects at various HBCUs.
The National FinTech Center is creating a National Resume Database of HBCU students interested in careers in Blockchain and FinTech to be shared with the conference sponsors.
Submit your resumes here.

Metaverse Community and Social
2022-10-27 13:00 - 14:00
The National FinTech Center at Morgan State University and The Hyperledger Foundation want to personally invite you, your faculty, students, and alumni to attend a three-part webinar series this Summer and Fall. The final webinar titled Metaverse Community and Social (Education, Games, Commerce, Legal, Simulation, Social Media) will be a virtual panel discussion on Thursday, October 27, 2022, from 1:00-2:00 pm ET.
The panel will feature members of The Hyperledger Foundation Community. You don’t want to miss this panel discussion and interactive Q&A session following the panel.
ENTER THE METAVERSE!
You will receive a unique link to join the event. There is no charge, but advance registration is required.
REGISTER IN ADVANCE

The Path to the Metaverse
2022-07-28 12:00 - 13:00
The Path to the Metaverse
(Visions, History, Orientation & Components)

Register In Advance

Careers in DeFi
2022-04-07 12:00 - 13:00
Panel Recording
Meet the Panel:
Moderator – Nate Rose
Nathaniel Rose is Senior Software Engineer at Ripple on the Data Platform Team, and co-lead of the Black at Ripple Employee Resource Group community. He is a former ex-Microsoft engineer and Neurotechnology Researcher who focused on gaze selection and brain-machine interfaces. Nathaniel advocates for education equity – having directed a National Society of Black Engineers Chapter for over 5 years and Co-Founding the Bay Area Chapter to aid students with STEM skills giving them the edge to pursue future life endeavors.

Panel:
Arielle Williams:
Arielle Williams is a University Recruiter, based in the SF Bay Area. She’s very passionate about diversity, equity & inclusion, and connecting talented students with great opportunities. Arielle has worked in talent acquisition for the past 5 years and university recruiting is very exciting to her because she gets to help build the next generation of future leaders!
Jared Vallair:
Jared received his undergrad degree from Tufts University in MA, also attending and completing Harvard’s Graduate School of Design summer program for Architecture during his education in Boston. He then attended California College of the Arts in San Francisco, receiving his Master of Architecture. During his study he also engaged in various design and build-related roles. Currently, he is the Senior Global Workplace Designer for Ripple, where he leads the design, project management and construction for all office builds. He has collectively and collaboratively established the designs for offices in San Francisco, New York, London & Singapore.
Oscar Merrida:
Oscar Merrida IV is a technology professional originally from Berkeley California. He completed his undergraduate degree in business at Howard University. After a brief period in the hospitality industry, Oscar knew he needed to try something new. He started his physical security technology career and obtained his masters degree at the George Washington University. Oscar is driven by solving business challenges with technology.
Oscar’s first introduction to blockchain technology came during his master’s degree. He and his classmates studied how the technology could have alternative uses to improve record management. Years later when the opportunity to work at Ripple became a reality it made sense to join the company. Oscar gets a first hand seat to blockchain technology and the crypto market as a Security Systems Administrator for the Global Security team. In his role he helps secure the facilities and people he works with on a daily basis.
Mark Scott:
Mark is an Information Technology professional with over 20 years of experience in data management. Throughout the years he has been fortunate to have had multiple roles ranging from Developer, Engineer, Analyst to Trusted Advisor that give him a unique perspective on enterprise information management and architecture. This experience has made Mark a trusted advisor for his clients and a thought leader in the field. His wide breadth of experience allows him to educate both technology and business leaders on how to get the best value from their most coveted asset – data. Lastly, he is spearheading efforts in his local community of Brooklyn NY to introduce cryptocurrencies, system engineering, data management, and data analysis training to the underserved workforce in the form of courses in a continuing education format.

Build Your Own NFT with Hyperledger Fabric
2022-03-31 11:00 - 14:00
Build Your Own NFT with Hyperledger Fabric
Time:

Thursday, March 24 from 11 AM to 1 PM Eastern

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jyEegXLrNr4

Thursday, March 31 from 11 AM to 2 PM Eastern

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PGXOM3KxDyw

For more information…

The Kevin Hawkins Endowed Lectureship
2022-03-29 11:15 - 12:30
Join Morgan State University and Marc Morial, the President and CEO of the National Urban League on March 29, 2022 at 11:15 am.
Topic: Entrepreneurship in the Black Community in the Age of George Floyd and COVID: Prospects for the Future.
Join via Zoom- https://bit.ly/3K9lluF

Money Talk$!
2022-02-22 12:30 - 2022-02-23 15:30
The National FinTech Center at Morgan State University is pleased to welcome Morgan Alumna Sherifah Munis, Founder and Executive Director of the New Wave Foundation for this exciting event.

Newwave Foundation & Skysthelimit presents the second in our Financial Literacy and Entrepreneurial series, Money Talk$!

Register in Advance!
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/money-talks-financial-entrepreneurship-empowerment-webinar-tickets-260312841717?aff=NWFEmail

About this event

NWF & Skysthelimit is thrilled to bring you another power-packed virtual event that will empower and uplift attendees through a series of interactive conversations focused on Financial Literacy & Entrepreneurship. In honor of Black History Month, we hope to educate and equip our audience through storytelling, strategic advice, and life-affirming guidance to inspire action in order to ensure financial security for themselves and the next generation.
Join us for a 2-day series on February 22nd & 23rd, as we hear from Co-founder & Vice Chairman of BlockChain.com, Nicolas Cary, and YouTube Celebrity Host of “The Table”, National Best Selling Author & Speaker, Anthony O’Neal, and a host of other notable financial experts and entrepreneurs.
Get your notebook and mind ready for some priceless tips and takeaways that you don’t want to miss. We can’t wait to see you there!

Nicolas Cary is a serial entrepreneur and lifelong technologist, co-founding Blockchain.com and Skysthelimit. Before getting into the start-up space, Cary taught English and conducted poverty reduction assessments in rural India. In 2013, Blockchain.com started as the first Bitcoin blockchain explorer and soon created a cryptocurrency wallet. It then began operating as a cryptocurrency exchange, now accounting for one-third of all bitcoin network transactions.
Anthony O’Neal is a #1 national bestselling author who has helped over 250,000 people set out on a path towards a debt-free life with his chart-topping book Debt-Free Degree. He’s reached over 15 million people in 15 different countries through his podcast “The Table” where he always keeps it real, relevant, and relatable. Apart from teaching others how to obtain mental, spiritual, and financial freedom, Anthony’s mission is to help singles maximize their single season with both intention and grace.

Demystifying Data Analytics
2022-02-11 10:30 - 14:00 | Graves School of Business, Morgan State University, 4100 Hillen Road, Baltimore, MD, 21218, United States
The National FinTech Center is seeking highly motivated students to become certified in Data Analytics, a rapidly growing field, and an increasingly in-demand skill.
Students must register in advance and attend all three workshops to receive the certification. Don’t delay, seats are filling quickly!
— Part One: Friday, February 11, 2022 10:30 – 2:00 pm 3 ½ hours*
Introduction to Data Analytics: Use Cases, Tools, and Techniques
An Understanding of Descriptive Analytics
–Part Two: Friday, February 18, 2022, 10:30 – 11:30 am 1 hour*
Hands-on visualization for music using Tableau
–Part Three: Friday, March 4, 2022, 10:30 – 2:30 pm 4 hours*
Hands-on use case of data analytics, interactive work in teams, creative problem solving
*Lunch to be served
Prerequisites:
Working knowledge of Excel
INSS 141 or COSC 110 or equivalent

Careers in Crypto
2022-02-08 12:00 - 13:00
Meet the Panelists:

Camron Knight (He/Him/His)
Associate Technology Developer, AI
PwC
Hampton University
Camron is an Associate Technology Developer within the Artificial Intelligence Lab at PricewaterhouseCoopers. Camron has a proven track record as an energetic self-starter whose leadership acumen enables the timely delivery of value to clients and project stakeholders. During his undergraduate studies, Camron actively pursued participation in the FinTech Center’s crypto-literacy programming and compelling digital upskilling opportunities. Camron is an HBCU alum, having earned his B.S. in Business Administration from the Hampton University School of Business.

Darin Carter (He/Him/His)
Coinbase Giving, Program Manager
Coinbase
Pennsylvania State University
Darin Carter is a crypto ambassador, a keynote speaker, and a traveling professional. His core mission is to use his time, talent, and expertise to build a better future for our community. Known as @CryptoCousin to many, he’s been speaking & teaching crypto since 2017, helping hundreds of people start their journey into crypto. After breaking into tech, and a few years building at Salesforce, Darin Carter joined Coinbase in 2019. Today, as a Program Manager on the Coinbase Giving team, Darin leads projects/partnerships at the intersection of social impact and blockchain. As a lifelong learner, he studied at Pennsylvania State University, the University of Cape Town, and is currently a Master’s candidate at the University of Nicosia, studying Blockchain & Digital Currency. When he’s not learning, he’s helping others on their crypto journey.

Joel McGill (He/Him/His)
Software Engineer
Coinbase
Florida International University
Joel got into crypto in 2017, like many trading on the coinbase platform. In 2019 he began dabbling in code and met a teacher who shared his love for code and crypto and would later refer him at Coinbase. He spent the 2020 pandemic transitioning from Project management in construction to completing the FullStack Academy bootcamp and landing a job at Coinbase. Joel finds crypto exciting as he believes it has the potential to level the financial playing field and offers an alternative to the traditional financial system to build generational wealth.

Phylese Jackson (She/Her/Hers)
Sr. Project Manager, CXO Platform
Coinbase
Hampton University
Phylese is a certified Project Manager (PMP) with over 10 years of professional experience in the Financial Services and FinTech industries. At Coinbase, Phylese works in the Customer Experience Project Management Office where she is responsible for project delivery and implementing procedures to establish & support project governance. In her spare time she buys and HODLs crypto based on advice from her Dad who is the reason for her interest in Crypto.
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Tamia Hurst (She/Her/Hers)
HR Business Partner
Coinbase
Tennessee State University
Tamia currently serves as a HRBP at Coinbase supporting the Trust & Risk Organization. She has over 10 years of experience in Human Resources, with specialized areas of expertise in Talent/Leadership Development, and Diversity and Inclusion. She graduated from Tennessee State University with her B.A. in English and received her Masters in Human Resources from the University of Cincinnati. When she isn’t working she is chasing after her 2 year old son- she is spending time with her husband and her family, researching the latest industry trends in Crypto, or curled up with a good book!

National HBCU Blockchain and FinTech Conference 2021
2021-11-12 09:00 - 2021-11-13 15:00
The Annual National HBCU Blockchain Research and Innovation Conference is the FinTech Center’s premier event for connecting with university leaders, faculty and students discussing today’s challenges and opportunities, and shaping the future of FinTech education and research. The Annual National HBCU Blockchain Research and Innovation Conference, November 12-13, 2021 will provide a forum for the faculty, students, and administrators in the FinTech Center’s HBCU Consortium to hear and discuss the findings of sponsored research and outcomes of sponsored innovative blockchain projects at various HBCUs.
Registration is closed.

NFTs - The Tokenized Future of Assets
2021-10-05 12:00 - 13:00
“Blockchain901 is a technology nonprofit that promotes the adoption of blockchain and emerging technologies through education, collaboration, and networking opportunities.”
Justin has over 30 years of experience as an IT Solution Developer/Integrator. He is a Certified Blockchain Solution Architect as well as a Certified Blockchain Consultant and is the founder of Omnionix, Inc, a blockchain solution consultancy and development company. Justin is also the Memphis Chapter Chair of BUiLT, International Inc. (Blacks United in Leading Technology). Justin has been involved in Blockchain & Crypto since 2014.
Register in Advance

Morgan State University Faculty Curriculum Development Integrating Blockchain into Your Courses
2021-10-02 09:00 - 12:00
The FinTech Center at Morgan State University is pleased to OFFER FINANCIAL INCENTIVES to Morgan State University’s faculty for innovative course modifications to integrate Blockchain into existing courses.
To learn how Blockchain could relate to your discipline, join us for an interactive workshop, for faculty of all disciplines, that will raise awareness of use cases for Blockchain and how the technology is transforming every industry.
Morgan State University’s own Dr. Dessa David dives deep into Blockchain basics and answers the infamous question: what is blockchain and why we need to pay attention to it. Dessa J. David, PhD, is an Associate Professor in the Department of Information Science and Systems, Earl Graves School of Business and Management, Morgan State University. Dr. David received a B.S in Computational Mathematics and an M.A. in Computer Science from Brooklyn College @ CUNY; an M. Phil and Ph.D. in Computer Science from Graduate Center @ CUNY. Dr. David enjoys teaching and is passionate about her students. She teaches graduate and undergraduate classes, in areas of Information Systems. Her research interests include Information Technology Implementation, adoption, and diffusion; Information Systems Strategy; blockchain and supply chain. She teaches the Blockchain fundamentals course at the ESBM.
Dante Pacella from Verizon will explore content integrity and Verizon’s Full Transparency Project. Dante Pacella is a Fellow in Verizon’s Applied Research Lab. Areas of focus include Blockchain, Privacy Preserving Technology, Quantum Communications, and Web 3.0. He was the carrier lead for the Communications Business Automation Network (CBAN) and took part in GSMA’s Blockchain Wholesale Roaming Working Group over the past two years. Previous to his current role, Dante was lead architect for Verizon’s global backbone network. He has co-authored several IETF drafts and RFCs. He helped form and now leads Verizon’s Blockchain Competency Center as well as Verizon’s Blockchain Forum.
David MacFadyen, Music and Arts Professor at UCLA will explain NFTs (Non Fungible Tokens) and how they are transforming the ownership rights in music and the arts. David MacFadyen is the author of multiple books on the history of Slavic literature and music, specifically the popular traditions of Russia, Ukraine, and Belarus. Professor MacFadyen, as a reflection of these wide interests, holds positions both in the Comparative Literature and Musicology Departments at UCLA. His offerings include classes dedicated to musical, literary, cinematic, and technical issues of a rapidly changing world.
Mike McCoy Associate Director of Emerging Technology at Humana will share how Blockchain is being used to revolutionize healthcare. Mike is an applied research and product manager with experience in building emerging technology in the healthcare, life science, public sector, finance and multimedia industries. At the heart of his work is a mission to improve our health and experiences with technology. Professionally Mr. McCoy is the Associate Director of Emerging Technology at Humana where he helps manage and build new software, hardware and technical systems for the Healthcare Services Emerging Technology portfolio. Previously at Accenture and ConsenSys, he has worked in technical strategy, product development, integration and growth roles to build technical and sustainable solutions. Outside of Humana he is an Adjunct Professor at Thomas Jefferson University’s Institute of Emerging Health Professions as a lecturer and course developer for their graduate certificate programs including Blockchain for Healthcare, Intro to Clinical Data and Telehealth and Connected Care: Advanced Course. He is also Chair of The Linux Foundation, Hyperledger Healthcare Special Interest Group and is an active member to IEEE, HIMSS, Frontiers, Blockchain in Healthcare Today, Blockchain for Social Impact and other technical and social working groups.

HBCU Students Inform the Block with Craig Fischer
2021-09-14 12:00 - 13:00
Inform the Block (Downloadable Word Doc) Inform the Block (Downloadable PDF)
Register for HBCU Students Inform the Block with Craig Fischer September 14, 2021 12pm ET

Are you an undergraduate student enrolled at a Historically Black college and University (HBCU)?
Do you know a thing or two about blockchain and financial technology?
Then, we have an opportunity for you to HBCU Students Inform the Block and share your knowledge through video.
What is Inform the Block, you ask? Good question. Inform the Block is a social awareness initiative sponsored by the Morgan State University (MSU) FinTech Center and developed to address the growing disparity in awareness related to blockchain and financial technology. We want to impact learning across generations and catalyze a “buzz” of information to further ingratiate ourselves into this everchanging financial market. Learn more about MSU’s FinTech Center and its projects here.

Inform the Block with Brian Estes
2021-08-31 12:00 - 13:00
On August 31, 2021, Brian Estes will give a presentation on the background and history of money, the internet, and the adaptation of new technologies, and how this has led us to cryptocurrencies. Who is Brian Estes? Brian Estes, CIO and Managing Partner at Off the Chain Capital, has helped finance, build, and mentor 4 blockchain companies whose combined value is over $10B today. Prior to his involvement in blockchain in 2014, Brian was a leading endowment and foundation asset manager, ranking in the top 1/10th of 1% of Morningstar asset managers. Brian has his BA from the University of Illinois and MBA with high honors from Washington University. Brian also studied at Cambridge University and the London School of Economics. For fun, Brian has been an instrument-rated private pilot for 30 years and has over 2100 flight hours.
All are welcome to this virtual, interactive session. Please register in advance.
