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NASA Space Apps Yonkers Officially Opens for 2025 Event Registration

After the hackathon, project submissions are judged by NASA and space agency experts.
Sir Shefik Macauley

YONKERS, N.Y. — Presented by All Knight Access, NASA Space Apps Yonkers (https://spaceappsyonkers.org) invites innovators of all ages to register for the NASA International Space Apps Challenge (https://www.spaceappschallenge.org/2025/local-events/yonkers/), held on October 4–5, 2025. The 2025 theme is "Learn, Launch, Lead", and participants of Yonkers, New York will work alongside a vibrant community of scientists, technologists, and storytellers — in competition with other participants at more than 450 events worldwide. Participants can expect to Learn skills to succeed in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM), Launch ideas that transform NASA's open data into actionable tools, and Lead their communities in driving technological innovation. After the hackathon, project submissions are judged by NASA and space agency experts. Winners are selected for one of 10 global awards.

Media personality, philanthropist, and technology maven Sir Shefik Macauley (known mononymously as Shefik) (https://shefik.info) is an Emmy Award winner — for his work with NBC and Peacock, as Technical Production Manager for Games of the XXXIII Olympiad (2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, France). He is also a long-time resident of Yonkers, New York. As of April 2025, he was officially appointed as Managing Director and Local Lead of NASA Space Apps Yonkers. The event location is YWCA Yonkers (87 South Broadway, Yonkers, New York 10701, United States). Event activities start each day at 9 a.m. ET. To significantly enhance accessibility and reach, there is also an option for participants to join virtually from anywhere in the world. Free registration is required and available for both in-person and virtual activities.

NASA International Space Apps Challenge is the world's largest annual global hackathon. With over 15,444 teams from 163 countries and 9,996 submitted projects, NASA International Space Apps Challenge proves to inspire collaboration, creativity, and critical thinking that fosters interest in Earth and space science. The mission is to leverage this interest to encourage the growth of the next generation of scientists, technologists, designers, and storytellers — of all ages. In 2024, 93,520 people from around the world registered to address 20 challenges on Earth and in space.

There is no cost to participate in the annual NASA International Space Apps Challenge. NASA Space Apps Yonkers intends to provide a safe, productive, and professional environment for anyone with an interest in using NASA and partner space agency data and expertise to work on solutions to challenges on Earth and in space.

The journey awaits for everyone.

Meet the Team for NASA Space Apps Yonkers:

Organization

  • Sir Shefik Macauley (Managing Director and Local Lead) (United States)
  • Paul Aarrington (Director of Organizational Development) (United States)
  • Danny Laker (Director of Media and Public Affairs) (Canada)
  • Veniece Newton (Director of Engagement and Partnerships) (United States)
  • Metanize Saunders (Director of Event Strategy and Execution) (United States)
  • Vincent Wolf (Director of Digital Communications) (United States)
  • Dr. April Robinson (Director of Marketing and Outreach) (United States)
  • Travis Richardson (Director of Public Relations) (United States)
  • Pati Sands (Marketing and Outreach Associate) (United States)
  • Mark Moore (Marketing and Outreach Associate) (United States)
  • Matthew Stankewicz (Marketing and Outreach Associate) (United States)
  • Emma Robbins (Marketing and Outreach Associate) (United States)
  • Lester G. Smith (Chief Videographer) (United States)
  • Sean K. Fitzpatrick (Chief Photographer) (United States)
  • LeShawn Walker (Correspondent) (United States)

Mentors

  • Alicia Randolph (Founder and CEO at Randolph Consulting Services; Facilitator and Coach at Ascend Advantage) (United States)
  • Amelia Moore (SheEO at Buzz Builder BMC; Author) (United States)
  • Amy Imhoff (Communications and Media Consultant at NASA's Interstellar Mapping and Acceleration Probe (IMAP)) (United States)
  • Butch Meily (President at Philippine Disaster Resilience Foundation) (United States)
  • Christy Charlot (Founder at chARloT cARToons) (United States)
  • CR Capers (Founder and CEO at Harlem Film House) (United States)
  • Dr. Hassan Tetteh (Founder at HumanCare Media; Board-Certified Heart and Lung Transplant Surgeon; Best-Selling Author, "Smarter Healthcare with AI"; Retired United States Navy Captain)
  • Dr. Sequoyah Wharton (Digital Filmmaking / Broadcast Journalism / Visual Arts Teacher, Brentwood Public Schools at Brentwood Union Free School District) (United States)
  • DTA Experience (Co-Host, "Planet of the Tapes" at LL Cool J's Rock the Bells Radio / SiriusXM; International DJ for Prince, Beyoncé) (United States)
  • Geechie Dan (Co-Host, "Planet of the Tapes" at LL Cool J's Rock the Bells Radio / SiriusXM; Founder at Rap Music Hall) (United States)
  • Jay Heisler (Instructor at Nova Scotia College of Art and Design) (Canada)
  • Joe Young (President at Joe Young Entertainment; Cartoonist; Filmmaker; Creator of "Kemet") (United States)
  • Kevin Edwin (Physicist) (United States)
  • Martin Smallhorne (School Leader, Herbert H. Lehman YABC at New York City Department of Education) (United States)
  • Michael Muñiz (Television and Film Actor) (United States)
  • Miles Smallhorne (Author, "Days of Randomness") (United States)
  • Mokay Kamara (Business Change Manager and Executive Coach) (United Kingdom)
  • Nijaah Howard (CEO at Young Men Strong) (United States)
  • Pankaj Amin (Adjunct Professor at Rutgers Business School) (United States)
  • Saurabh Vyas (Co-Founder and Chief Product Experience Officer at Evva Health; Physician Technologist) (India)
  • Simas Didzbalis (Founder at Nutrioz) (Lithuania)
  • Soh Young Lee-Segredo (Founder and President at Multicultural Council of New York)
  • Terrence Floyd (Founder and CEO at We Are Floyd; Brother of George Floyd) (United States)
  • Trisha Jeffrey (Broadway Actress and Singer) (United States)
  • Tym Moss (Actor and Live Event Host) (United States)
  • William Goldstein (3-Time Emmy Award Nominee and Grammy Award Nominee; Music Composer and Improvisational Pianist) (United States)

Ambassadors

  • Anniyea Jaffa (Ambassador) (United States)
  • Anthony Knight (Youth Ambassador) (United States)
  • Blake Knight (Youth Ambassador) (United States)
  • Carol Hecht (President at Education & Business Associates) (Ambassador) (United States)
  • Charlie Knight (CEO at YWCA Yonkers) (Ambassador) (United States)
  • Dame Eva Miles (Founder at A Way Out Project) (Ambassador) (United States)
  • Faith Robinson-Hughes (Ambassador) (United States)
  • Juanquin Rogers (Director of Programs at YWCA Yonkers) (Ambassador) (United States)
  • Keita Kelly (Administrative Director at A Way Out Project) (Ambassador) (United States)
  • Kui Han Lee (CEO at NUCLUX) (Ambassador) (South Korea)
  • Mitzi Walker (Community Event Coordinator at YWCA Yonkers) (Ambassador) (United States)
  • Nick Rienzi (Ambassador) (United States)
  • Randy Knight (Ambassador) (United States)
  • Regina Mouzon (Founder at Bond by Grace) (Ambassador) (United States)
  • Triniti Chitman (Youth Ambassador) (United States)

Showcases

  • Planetary
  • International Observe the Moon Night
  • Art with Christy Charlot: Custom Sneaker Workshop
  • Cartoon Workshop with Joe Young Entertainment
  • Meet Kemet: A Time Traveling Comic Character and Mascot for the Ages

Partners

  • Shefik presents Invocation
  • YWCA Yonkers
  • Mayor Mike Spano (Yonkers, New York)
  • City of Yonkers
  • Sovereign Imperial and Royal House of Ghassan
  • Royal Ghassanid Academy of Arts and Sciences
  • "Planet of the Tapes" (LL Cool J's Rock the Bells Radio / SiriusXM)
  • Yonkers Voice
  • World Cafe Live
  • A Way Out Project
  • Harlem Film House
  • You're Our Unity
  • Multicultural Council of New York
  • Ideaspace Ventures
  • QBO Innovation
  • Peace Lights
  • Devolution Productions
  • Bond by Grace

Sponsors

  • The Paul Aarrington Group
  • HumanCare Media
  • Nutrioz
  • Jean's Closet

Media Contacts

Shefik
All Knight Access
+1 (914) 548-5033
[email protected]

Last Updated: March 21, 2026

About NASA Space Apps Yonkers

Join Emmy Award winner Sir Shefik Macauley and All Knight Access, to address real-world challenges on Earth and in space. NASA Space Apps Yonkers is an organization for NASA International Space Apps Challenge, held in-person during October 2026, at YWCA Yonkers (located at 87 South Broadway, Yonkers, New York 10701, United States). Event activities start each day at 9 a.m. ET. To significantly enhance accessibility and reach, there is also an option for participants to join virtually from anywhere in the world. Free registration is required and available for both in-person and virtual activities.

NASA International Space Apps Challenge is a hackathon for coders, scientists, designers, storytellers, makers, technologists, and innovators around the world. Each year, thousands of teams submit projects that demonstrate creativity, collaboration, and address challenges we face on Earth and in space. These projects go through multiple rounds of judging to determine the NASA International Space Apps Challenge Global Winners, which represent the most innovative projects submitted by participants.

In 2025 — for the first time in history — Yonkers, New York served as a host city for NASA International Space Apps Challenge, with the kick-off ceremony held on October 4, 2025.

All participants of NASA Space Apps Yonkers — both in-person and virtual — received a Certificate of Participation.

Registration will open in 2026 to all ages for Yonkers, New York. Be a part of the largest annual global hackathon!

The journey awaits for everyone.

Latest Press Releases

Sir Shefik Macauley with New York State Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins (President Pro Tempore and Majority Leader) and Mayor Mike Spano of Yonkers, New York.

October 4, 2025 Accolades

On the occasion of the 2025 NASA International Space Apps Challenge presented by NASA Space Apps Yonkers, Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins honored philanthropist and technology maven Sir Shefik Macauley with a Proclamation from New York State Senate.

Tags: NASA • United Nations • Sir Shefik Macauley Day • Equestrian Order of Michael Archangel • Sovereign Imperial and Royal House of Ghassan

NASA Space Apps Yonkers Appoints William Goldstein as Mentor

October 2, 2025 Announcements

For 2025, NASA Space Apps Yonkers appoints William Goldstein as Mentor. The 2025 theme is "Learn, Launch, Lead", and participants of Yonkers, New York will work alongside a vibrant community of scientists, technologists, and storytellers.

Tags: Development • Engineering • Engagement • Mentorship • YWCA

NASA Space Apps Yonkers Appoints Vicky Banswani as Mentor

October 2, 2025 Announcements

For 2025, NASA Space Apps Yonkers appoints Vicky Banswani as Mentor. The 2025 theme is "Learn, Launch, Lead", and participants of Yonkers, New York will work alongside a vibrant community of scientists, technologists, and storytellers.

Tags: Engineering • YWCA • YWCA Yonkers • Mathematics • Mentoring

NASA Space Apps Yonkers Appoints Tym Moss as Mentor

October 2, 2025 Announcements

For 2025, NASA Space Apps Yonkers appoints Tym Moss as Mentor. The 2025 theme is "Learn, Launch, Lead", and participants of Yonkers, New York will work alongside a vibrant community of scientists, technologists, and storytellers.

Tags: Mentoring • YWCA Yonkers • Arts • YWCA • Technology

NASA Space Apps Yonkers Appoints Trisha Jeffrey as Mentor

October 2, 2025 Announcements

For 2025, NASA Space Apps Yonkers appoints Trisha Jeffrey as Mentor. The 2025 theme is "Learn, Launch, Lead", and participants of Yonkers, New York will work alongside a vibrant community of scientists, technologists, and storytellers.

Tags: Development • Engagement • Arts • Mentoring • Yonkers, New York