Pitch Competition for Black-Owned Businesses
The Michigan SBDC was thrilled to present PITCH BLACK Detroit on October 3, 2024 – a unique and entertaining pitch competition program that uplifts Black-owned businesses and celebrates Black culture. Part competition – part game show, PITCH BLACK includes elements of Shark Tank and America’s Got Talent; complete with a Black contestants, Black judges, Black host, Black music, Black dancers, Men-in-Black, and even a Black costumed character. Traveling throughout the state of Michigan, the event is conducted on-stage in front of a live studio audience and has been held in Muskegon and Grand Rapids.
Twenty-five (25) Black-owned businesses were selected as contestants for the program and had the opportunity to compete for over $10,000 in cash prizes. All contestants received 6-weeks of customized training from the Michigan SBDC’s Uplift Michigan Initiative to prepare them for the competition and were assigned a Michigan SBDC consultant to help them develop a 3–5-minute business pitch.
After the training, contestants participated in virtual pitch rounds to determine the finalists. Seven finalists were chosen to present their pitch in front of a live audience and judging panel to compete for three cash prizes and a people’s choice award.
1st Place
$5,000
Wendy Ekua (W.E.) Da’Cruz
The Mushroom Angel Company
2nd Place
$3,500
Jennifer Lyle
Lush Yummies Pie Company
3rd Place
$1,500
Lisa Session
Da Bomb Taco
People’s Choice Award – $500
Keith Walker
Roller Skate Detroit
Congratulations to all the selected finalists who also were awarded $100 cash!
Cathryn Coleman – Detroit Balloon Store
Larry Crockett – Lorraine’s Premium BBQ Sauce
Anwelli Okpue – Wani Cakes
Selected Finalists
Anwelli Okpue
Wani Cakes LLC
anwelliokpue@wanicakes.com
Keith Walker
Roller Skate Detroit
rsd@rollerskatedetroit.com
Wendy Ekua Da’Cruz
The Mushroom Angel Company
wedacruz@cruzburgers.com
Cathryn Coleman
Detroit Balloon Store
BouncingAroundTheMotorCity@gmail.com
Larry Crockett
Lorraine’s Premium BBQ Sauce LLC
Larry@Lorrainesbbqsauce.com
Jennifer Lyle
Lush Yummies Pie Company
Jennifer@lushyummiespie.com
Lisa Session
DA BOMB TACO
lisa@dabombtaco.com
Selected Contestants
Aisha Blake
Opal Grove Games
aisha@opalgrovegames.com
Antoine Williams
Mfer Seasonings & Sauces
Mferspices@gmail.com
Anwelli Okpue
Wani Cakes LLC
anwelliokpue@wanicakes.com
Carmella (Rose) Hobson
Code x Rosella
Rose@codexrosella.com
Cathryn Coleman
Detroit Balloon Store
BouncingAroundTheMotorCity@gmail.com
Debra Winfrey
COOK LIKE A BOSS™️DETROIT
debra@cooklikeabossdetroit.com
Doris (‘D’) Borns
Hollis B Cleaning
Hollisbcs125@yahoo.com
Jennifer Lyle
Lush Yummies Pie Company
Jennifer@lushyummiespie.com
Jocelyn Sansom
Four Taste
Fourrtaste@gmail.com
Justin Campbell
Campbell Construction Services, LLC
campbellconstruction1215@gmail.com
Keith Walker
Roller Skate Detroit
rsd@rollerskatedetroit.com
Kimberly Jones
Epic Infants,LLC
contact@epicinfants.com
Larry Crockett
Lorraine’s Premium BBQ Sauce LLC
Larry@Lorrainesbbqsauce.com
Leona Milton
What’s The Dill
Stuffmypickles@gmail.com
Lisa Session
DA BOMB TACO
lisa@dabombtaco.com
Mark-Anthony Knox
Crummy’s Cake Supply & Studio
admin@crummiessweetsandtreats.com
Micole Sherman
Vibe Spa
info@vibespas.com
Octavia L Shamily
Mama’s Makings LLC dba of Theos’s Distribution LLC
octavia@mamasmakings.com
Ronier Golightly
Motor City Popcorn
info@motorcitypopcorn.com
Scott Boateng
Preva Body
info@prevabody.com
Shanon Williams
Self Care Housekeeping
shanon@selfcarehousekeeping.com
Theresa Withers
Malkia Essentials LLC
theresawithers@malkiaessentialsshop.com
Wendy Ekua Da’Cruz
The Mushroom Angel Company
wedacruz@cruzburgers.com
Finalist Judges
Tawnya Rose
Vice President
Community Impact Manager
Fifth Third Bank
Courtney Elledge
Vice President
Community Development Relationship Manager
Huntington Bank
Kevin Watkins, MBA
Vice President
External Affairs Marketing Manager
National African American Business Development Manager
Comerica Bank
Brandalynn Winchester-Middlebrook
Executive Vice President
Chief People & Purpose Officer
Lake Trust Bank
Bernard Drew
Business Growth Consultant
Michigan SBDC
Small Business Champion Sponsor
Small Business Silver Sponsors
Small Business Supporter Sponsor
The Michigan SBDC Southeast Region is hosted by:
Awards presented by:
This program is part of the Michigan SBDC’s:
