City Partners with CMS for Inaugural InnovateHER Event
Published on September 16, 2026
The City of Charlotte partnered with Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools (CMS) for the first InnovateHER event, a workforce development experience connecting middle and high school girls with technology careers, local employers and women working in STEM.
“InnovateHER Charlotte is exactly the kind of investment we need to keep making as a city. Innovation is not just about technology; it is about people, opportunity and making sure the next generation can see themselves in the future we are building,” City of Charlotte Chief Information Officer and Director of Innovation & Technology Markell Storay said. “By creating space for girls to explore technology, leadership and problem-solving, we are helping close the gap for girls in tech and showing them their ideas belong in this field. Events like this strengthen our community and remind us that the future of innovation in Charlotte starts with the talent we inspire today.”
“When we expose students to new possibilities and empower them to lead, we expand what they believe is possible for their own future,” CMS Superintendent Dr. Crystal Hill said. “Programs like InnovateHER Charlotte help young women build confidence, develop critical skills and discover pathways they may never have imagined. By investing in their growth today, we are cultivating the innovators, leaders and problem solvers who will help shape Charlotte’s future for generations to come.”
More than 250 CMS students from STEM-focused schools and communities within Charlotte’s Corridors of Opportunity were invited to explore technology, STEM, leadership and innovation. The experience was designed to expose girls to technology career pathways and build confidence, curiosity and connections.
The event included:
- Hands-on technology and STEM activities
- Skill-building workshops
- Exposure to local employers and career pathways
- Panels and discussions with women in tech-related careers
Charlotte is one of the country's fastest growing cities, welcoming 154 new residents every day, and the Charlotte-Mecklenburg School District is the 16th largest school district in the country. That same growth and momentum is what InnovateHER Charlotte brings to life for students. The event shows them that their ideas, creativity and problem-solving have real power to shape what this city becomes next.
The city plans to host the event annually. Learn more on the City of Charlotte
InnovateHER webpage.
Photos from today's event can be found
here.