Team Selected for Dollarcraft Challenge to Drive Inclusive Financial Solutions

Alabama A&M University has been awarded a $50,000 grant from the Interledger Foundation, a nonprofit based in San Francisco dedicated to advancing open and interoperable digital financial systems.

From a global pool of applicants, Alabama A&M was one of only three universities selected worldwide to receive an Interledger NextGen Higher Education Grant – joining The Hague University of Applied Sciences in the Netherlands and the United States International University of Africa in Kenya. The recognition marks what the foundation describes as an important milestone in expanding access, equity, and innovation in digital financial inclusion through higher education partnerships.

Alabama A&M earned this distinction for its innovative Dollarcraft program, a 12-week interdisciplinary challenge that introduces students to digital banking, entrepreneurship, and ILP-powered financial tools through applied research and a culminating hackathon. This initiative is made possible through a visionary collaboration between AAMU’s College of Business & Public Affairs, the College of Engineering, Technology & Physical Sciences (CETPS), the Interledger Foundation, and Blaze Group® – a financial education and strategy firm known for its cutting-edge fintech training frameworks.

“The Dollarcraft Program will lead the way through innovation and creativity to prepare learners by entwining education with experiential learning opportunities in the classroom and beyond,” said Sonya Merritt, director of Experiential Learning at Alabama A&M University. “We fully anticipate a successful model to be established and propelled by this project. We are excited about this project with the Interledger Foundation and look forward to future collaborations.”

Through Dollarcraft, students will design, prototype, and showcase inclusive payment solutions that connect underserved communities to the digital economy. The program combines design thinking, startup incubation, and leadership training to inspire new ideas for financial inclusion.

Alabama A&M and the other universities will receive up to $50,000 in funding to support a 12-month project timeline, including event participation, training, and software development.

Interledger Foundation President & CEO Briana Marbury will present Alabama A&M’s check at halftime of Saturday’s 2 p.m. home football game against Florida A&M at Louis Crews Stadium.

AAMU Students Selected for Dollarcraft Challenge

Ogechukwu Amah – senior business administration major from Washington, D.C.
Kortney Adkins – junior finance major from Louisville, Kentucky
Jason Bledsoe – senior business administration major from Athens, Alabama
Sylnya Caldwell – senior business administration major from Montgomery, Alabama
Ariel Graham – junior management major from Barbados
Jay Mayes Jr. – junior accounting major from Montgomery, Alabama
Kamariya McDonald – senior management major from Prattville, Alabama
Juan Osario – junior accounting major from Medellin, Colombia
Jeremiah Provost – junior business administration major from Houston
Schylar Robertson – sophomore business administration major from Nashville, Tennessee Timothy Smith III – sophomore accounting major from Tallahassee, Florida
Madison Starnes – junior finance major from Nashville, Tennessee

Computer science students participating in the project will be announced at a later date.

“We are thrilled to have been awarded the Interledger NextGen Higher Education Grant. This award plays a vital role in advancing cross-disciplinary research between the College of Engineering, Technology, and Physical Sciences and the College of Business and Public Affairs,” said Dr. Ed Pearson III, Associate Dean for Student Success in the College. “It provides our students with the opportunity to address real-world challenges while enhancing their technical and problem-solving skills, an experience that will be invaluable as they pursue their future careers.”

Dr. Qian Shen, interim chair of Accounting and Finance, added, “We appreciate the Interledger NextGen Higher Education grant, which enables our HBCU business students to collaborate with engineering students on FinTech projects. With guidance from the Blaze Group, we are confident AAMU will emerge as a leading FinTech startup incubator in the South.”

(Photo L-R) Dr. Ed Pearson III, Schylar Robertson, Jason Bledsoe, Jeremiah Provost, Timothy Smith III, Juan Osoria, Ogechukwu Amah, Kortney Adkins,, Ariel Graham, Jay Mayes Jr., Madison Starnes, Sonya Merritt