FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE.
Contact: Elbi Elm
Director of Communications & Philanthropy.
The Penny Foundation
hbcu@pennyfoundation.org | 205-530-2238 | www.pennyfoundation.org
BIRMINGHAM, AL – August 18, 2025 – The Penny Foundation will host the second annual Penny Games: HBCU Debate + Gaming Invitational in Birmingham, Alabama, from October 1–3, 2025. The three-day event brings together students from 16+ Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), more than 500 local high school students, and over 100 colleges, employers, and civic institutions for a strategic blend of cultural immersion, academic competition, and workforce development.
Designed to connect students with long-term opportunity, the Penny Games offers a curated experience that includes a citywide college fair, livestreamed esports finals, a leadership breakfast, and a full-scale career expo. This year’s tournament will award more than $20,000 in student prizes and spotlight Birmingham as a rising hub for talent retention and innovation.
“This is more than a tournament—it’s a launchpad,” said Lyord Watson, Jr., CEO of The Penny Foundation. “The Penny Games connect students to real career pipelines, strengthen HBCU visibility, and position Birmingham as a city investing in its future leaders.”
The 2025 schedule opens Wednesday, October 1, with guided cultural tours of Birmingham’s historic landmarks and a VIP Welcome Reception at the Birmingham Museum of Art. On Thursday, October 2, debate rounds will take place at Birmingham City Schools alongside gaming rounds at Miles College. The evening will culminate in the Esports Finals and College Fair at Topgolf, featuring a live DJ, shoutcaster commentary, scholarship support, and college recruitment activations.
On Friday, October 3, students will gather at the BJCC for the Debate Finals and Leadership Breakfast, followed by the Career & Opportunity Expo. Expo offerings will include résumé and LinkedIn support, professional headshots, interview-ready wardrobe styling, and employer/internship booths representing more than 100 public and private sector organizations.
The Penny Games is a signature youth initiative of The Penny Foundation, a Birmingham-based nonprofit focused on equity through education, entrepreneurship, and community capital. The tournament builds on the organization’s commitment to expanding access, closing opportunity gaps, and retaining the next generation of leaders in the South.
“This event reflects what’s possible when community, creativity, and strategy come together,” said Watson. “We’re proud to host students from across the region while anchoring this work right here in Birmingham.”
Most events are free and open to Birmingham-area students, families, and educators.
About The Penny Foundation.The Penny Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit based in Birmingham, Alabama, that helps civic-minded donors, partners, and businesses translate their values into lasting neighborhood change. Since its founding in 2017, The Penny Foundation has supported over 100 ventures, raised $4 million in local funding, and continues to invest in the South’s next generation of leaders through education, entrepreneurship, and community-rooted giving. Learn more at www.pennyfoundation.org.