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Pitch Black Detroit

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

Pitch Black 2024 (601)

2nd Place
$3,500

Jennifer Lyle
Lush Yummies Pie Company

Pitch Black 2024 (571)

3rd Place
$1,500

Lisa Session
Da Bomb Taco

Pitch Black 2024 (566)

People’s Choice Award – $500

Keith Walker
Roller Skate Detroit

Pitch Black 2024 (559)

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

Pitch Competition for Black-Owned Businesses

The Michigan SBDC is thrilled to present PITCH BLACK Detroit – 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. Now it’s Detroit’s turn!

Twenty-five (25) Black-owned businesses have been selected as contestants for the program and will have the opportunity to compete for over $10,000 in cash prizes. All contestants will receive 6-weeks of customized training from the Michigan SBDC’s Uplift Michigan Initiative to prepare them for the competition and will be assigned a Michigan SBDC consultant to help them develop a 3–5-minute business pitch to present to a panel of expert judges.

After the training, contestants will participate in virtual pitch rounds to determine the finalists. Up to seven finalists will be 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.

Meet the Contestants

Have you ever wondered what’s going through the mind of someone preparing for a pitch competition? Or if you have ever been in one, were you curious as to how the other contestants were handling the pressure? Then join us for Meet the Contestants, a live talk show featuring individuals who have taken part in one or more business pitch competitions at the local, state, or national level. Get an insider’s view of what it takes to win and listen in on the conversations from our guest as they talk about their ideas, dreams, fears, excitement, and other emotions while preparing to pitch for money and other prizes.

Over the next four weeks you’ll get a behind-the-scenes look at contestants preparing for SBDC’s PITCH BLACK Detroit, a pitch competition being held for Black-owned businesses in Southeast Michigan.

Meet the Contestants – Week 1
Aug 28 | 1-2pm

Meet the Contestants – Week 2
Sept 4 | 1-2pm

Meet the Contestants – Week 3
Sept 11 | 1-2pm

Meet the Contestants – Week 4
Sept 18 | 1-2pm

Selected Contestants

Finalist Judges

Tawnya Rose

Tawnya Rose
Vice President
Community Impact Manager
Fifth Third Bank

CourtneyElledge

Courtney Elledge
Vice President
Community Development Relationship Manager
Huntington Bank

Kevin Watkins, Comerica Bank Vice President, Southeast Michigan External Affairs Market Manager

Kevin Watkins, MBA
Vice President
External Affairs Marketing Manager
National African American Business Development Manager
Comerica Bank

Brandalynn Winchester-Middlebrook

Brandalynn Winchester-Middlebrook
Executive Vice President
Chief People & Purpose Officer
Lake Trust Bank

Bernard-Drew

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: