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InnovateHER Charlotte 2026

The future is hers to build!

InnovateHER Charlotte invites 8th–12th grade girls from Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools (CMS) to explore technology, STEM, leadership and innovation. Through an inspiring, high-energy day of hands-on learning and mentorship, they’ll discover how their passions, strengths and curiosity can open up endless paths in tech-related fields.

Technology is everywhere, and there are countless ways for girls to be part of shaping the future. But for many, especially in middle and high school, technology can feel like a space that was not built with them in mind. InnovateHER challenges that idea and shows them that there is a space for them in tech, a space where they already belong.

No coding or tech experience required. Just curiosity and excitement to participate!

The event is free to attend and we are accepting up to 200 students based on capacity limits.

When:

Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2026

Time: 9:30 a.m. to 2 pm

Where:

Spectrum Center

333 E Trade St,

Charlotte, NC 28202

Registration for InnovateHER Charlotte 2026 is closed.

To receive future updates for InnovateHER Charlotte 2027, contact the InnovateHER Team.

Reach Out Today

InnovateHER Charlotte 2026 Recap

InnovateHER Charlotte launched its inaugural event on Sept. 16, 2026, bringing CMS students together at Spectrum Center for a day centered on technology, leadership, confidence and career exploration. Students heard from women in technology, connected with local professionals and community partners, and participated in hands-on activities designed to show the many ways innovation can shape their futures. The event created space for students to see themselves in STEM and technology-related careers, whether their interests are in coding, cybersecurity, data, design, project management, public service or entrepreneurship.

This first year was made possible through a strong partnership between the City of Charlotte, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, the Charlotte Hornets, sponsors, volunteers and community organizations committed to expanding opportunity for young women. As InnovateHER continues to grow, the city will build on this momentum to create meaningful pathways for students to explore technology, develop confidence and stay connected to future opportunities. Read more about the inaugural event in the city’s feature story.

InnovateHER Inspires Charlotte's Next Generation of Women in STEM - Transcript

0:04

8th through 12th grade girls are walking into the building and they are here for a career technology innovation experience. Yeah, that's your Wi-Fi chip.

0:12

It all started with an idea from our CIO, Markel Storay. He saw that another city was doing an event like this for their girls and he's like, "We need to

0:20

bring this to Charlotte. We need to do this for our kids." So, they're going to have these hands-on immersive experiences where they can

0:29

actually see how cool technology is, what innovation looks like in practice, and you all because you're the future of this community.

0:38

And then they're going to go into the bowl of the Spectrum Center and hear from a variety of women leaders in our community and they're going to hear about their experience and their journey

0:46

to get to where they are today. As I think back to my teenage years self,

0:50

it's like so cool knowing that like all these people like wanted to like share what they do and like the city of Charlotte like wanted to like

0:58

put this on for us and like teach like young people like young women like me to like how that they can do this and like

1:05

every like everyone can do something. I think it's just really like special being a woman and like to see doing this for you technically. I think it's really a really awesome thing to to do.

1:14

Our community garden is very unique. One thing that as an educator we want our students to understand is that they

1:21

belong in spaces like this. Um we want to definitely see more women in these spaces. Is this English language?

1:29

Like I wasn't really considering like doing stuff in tech and like but now I think I'm like really considering like being like an entrepreneur and like

1:36

working with tech and like AI because it's like really cool like now that I've like learned more about it.

1:41

Artificial intelligence is only as good as what we give it. What we feed into the machine is what [music] makes it come back and answered.

From Big Ideas to Innovation

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 will show them that their ideas, creativity and problem-solving have real power to shape what this city becomes next.

Questions? Contact the InnovateHER Team.

What Students Will Experience

Interested in Getting Involved?

Partnership in all its forms makes InnovateHER Charlotte possible — and accessible — for students across Charlotte.

Sponsorship:

Support can go toward:

Student meals and refreshments
Transportation support
Gift bags and student giveaways
Workshop materials
Event signage and branding
Hands-on tech experiences
Speaker and panel support
Post-event student resources

Speak, Lead a Panel, or Run a Workshop:

Women professionals and leaders in the tech industry are invited to share their path, their work and their advice. As a speaker, panelist or workshop leader, you'll help students understand what you do, how you got there, and why they belong in spaces like it.

Other ways to get involved:

Volunteer on event day
Student giveaways
Host a demo or interactive station
Provide in-kind goods or services
Help spread the word to your network

Sponsors are recognized as part of the event and receive updates throughout planning.

Support InnovateHer

InnovateHER FAQs

Who can attend?

InnovateHER Charlotte is designed for 8th–12th grade girls enrolled in Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools.

How much does it cost to attend?

InnovateHER Charlotte is free for participating students.

How many students can attend?

InnovateHER Charlotte can accommodate up to 200 students and will be filled on a first-come, first-serve basis.

How do students register?

Students should work through their CMS school administration to register for InnovateHER Charlotte.

When is the registration deadline?

Registration closes Sept. 14, 2026.

What time does the event begin and end?

InnovateHER Charlotte will take place on Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2026, at Spectrum Center from 9:30 a.m. to 2 pm.

Are schedules or arrival instructions different for middle and high school students?

Yes. High school and middle school students will have different arrival and dismissal times. High school students will arrive first at 9:30 a.m. Middle school students will arrive at 10 a.m. Both groups will participate in the main program together, including opening remarks, keynote programming, the fireside chat, hands-on activities and closing remarks.

Will transportation be provided?

Yes. Transportation will be coordinated through participating CMS schools. Students and families should follow the bus and field trip instructions provided by their school.

Will meals and refreshments be provided?

Yes. Students will receive lunch and refreshments during the event. Lunch will be provided before students leave Spectrum Center.

What should students wear?

Students should wear school-appropriate clothing and comfortable shoes. The event includes walking, hands-on activities and movement throughout Spectrum Center.

Will photos or videos be taken during the event?

Yes. Photos and videos may be taken during the event for city, CMS and partner communications. Families must complete any required school or CMS permission and media release forms before the event.

What role do parents, guardians, educators and chaperones play?

Parents and guardians should review all information from their student’s school and complete required permission forms. Educators and chaperones will supervise students, support check-in, guide students between activities, assist with lunch and dismissal and help ensure students have a safe and positive experience.

What if a student needs an accessibility accommodation?

Students who need an accessibility accommodation can submit a request through their participating school event contact. Requests must be received by Wednesday, Sept. 9. All requests will be reviewed, but specific accommodations may not be guaranteed.

Do students need coding or technology experience?

No. Students do not need any coding or technology experience to participate. The event is designed to be welcoming for students with all levels of experience, including those who are just curious.

Is this event only about coding?

No. InnovateHER is about the many ways technology shows up in the world, including cybersecurity, design, data, artificial intelligence, project management, public service, engineering, digital media and more.

What will students do at the event?

Students will participate in hands-on activities, hear from women working in technology-related fields, attend workshops or panel discussions and learn about different STEM and technology career pathways.

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