Pitch Competition for
Black-Owned Businesses
The Michigan SBDC PITCH BLACK Grand Rapids is a pitch competition aimed toward uplifting Black-owned businesses in Grand Rapids, Michigan. For more information email sbdc@gvsu.edu.
This event is free to attend, but registration is encouraged due to venue space limitations. Walk-in attendees are welcome to attend. This program is part of our Uplift Michigan™ initiative.
Free Live Event!
Thursday, September 28
5:00 PM – 6:00 PM Business Showcase
6:30 PM – 8:00 PM Live Finalist Pitches
Charles W. Loosemore Auditorium
GVSU Richard M. DeVos Center – Pew Campus
401 West Fulton Street
Grand Rapids, MI 49504
Free Parking at Seward Ramp
520 Lake Michigan Dr.
FINALISTS INCLUDE:
Maneeka Beasley – Cakes by the Jar
Yvonne Cones – Age N Grace
Valerie James – VSJ Fitness
Crystal Palasek – Lost Fawn Winery
Bertina Polk – My Little Love Bugs Childcare
Jessica Ann Tyson – BEASTRO, Fresh Canine Cuisine
Jina Rockwell – Rockwell Earthworks
See more information below!
MEET THE CONTESTANTS
Part game show – part competition, the PITCH BLACK event will be conducted on
an auditorium stage in front of a live studio audience where 5-7 selected finalists will compete for cash prizes totaling $10,000.
1st place Grand Prize of $5,000
2nd place prize of $3,500
3rd place prize of $1,500
Alim Price
Royal Wayz
alimprice1013@gmail.com
Royalwayz.com
Breasia Battle
A Fresh Look Events
afreshlookevents@gmail.com
Ebony Wilson
Astonishing Looks By E
astonishinglooks.bye@gmail.com
Jina Rockwell
Rockwell Earthworks
Jrockwell@rockwellearthworks.com
www.Rockwellearthworks.com
Mario Tyler
GREENCO2
greenco2grandrapids@gmail.com
greenco2.co
Siobhan Williams-Moore
High Vibrations Wellness, LLC
hvwellnessservices@gmail.com
Wali Thomas
GTW Transport LLC
info@gtwtransport.com
www.gtwtransport.com
Barbara Johnson
Honeybee’s Kitchen and Catering
Honeybeejohnson58@gmail.com
Clevon White, Jr.
Divine Dezignz
Gms.salvation.chasin144@gmail.com
Pierre Davon Pascal
Pierre Davon Pascal
PierredavonPascal@gmail.com
Leandra Nisbet
Stingray Advisory Group
leandra@stingrayadvisorygroup.com
www.stingrayadvisorygroup.com
Reggie Macon
Battleground JKD LLC
Bgjkdllc@gmail.com
Stephanie Briggs
The Fiery Collection
slbriggs0103@gmail.com
www.thefierycollection.com
Yvonne Cones
Age N Grace
agengraceyc@gmail.com
agengrace.net
Bertina Polk
My Little Love Bugs Childcare
Tinapolk42870@gmail.com
Crystal Palasek
Lost Fawn Winery
lostfawnwinery@gmail.com
www.lostfawnwinery.com
Jessica Ann Tyson
BEASTRO, Fresh Canine Cuisine
Info@thebeastro.co
www.thebeastro.co
Maneeka Beasley
Cakes by the Jar
hello@cakesbythejar.com
www.cakesbythejar.com
Sam Prince
Samber Productions
Samberprod2021@gmail.com
www.samber.productions
Valarie James
VSJ Fitness
vsjfitness@gmail.com
www.vsjfitness.com
MEET THE JUDGES
Preliminary Rounds
(Sept 19th & 21st – Not open to the public.)
Qi’Shaun Coyle
Program Engagement Coordinator
Experience GR
QCoyle@experiencegr.com
Sarah Forrest
Business Consultant
Michigan SBDC at Western Michigan University
Sarah.forrest@wmich.edu
Ana Jose
Director of Business Development
Michigan Women Forward
ajose@miwf.org
Marvin Martin
Manager
Center for Employment & Workforce Development
Urban League of West Michigan
mmartin@grurbanleague.org
Jamiel Robinson
President/CEO
Grand Rapids Area Black Businesses
jamiel@grabblocal.com
MEET THE JUDGES
Final Round
Sept 28th – Open to the public.
Bernard Drew
Business Growth Consultant
Michigan SBDC
Marcus A. Jackson
Vice President
Community Impact Manager
Fifth Third Bank
Celeste Spivey
Vice President
CRA/Community Development Officer
ChoiceOne Bank
Kevin A. Watkins
Vice President
External Affairs Market Manager
National African American Business Development Manager
Comerica Bank
Renee Williams
Senior Vice President
Community Development – Michigan, Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Colorado
Huntington Bank
Awards presented by the Richard M. and Helen DeVos Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation at Grand Valley State University.
SPONSORED BY:
