Pitch Competition for
Black-Owned Businesses
The Michigan SBDC PITCH BLACK Grand Rapids was a pitch competition aimed toward uplifting Black-owned businesses and a celebration of Black culture. Featuring all Black Contestants, Black Judges, Black Host, Black DJ, Black Music, Black Dancers, Men in Black, and even a Black costumed character, the event was free and open to the public as part of our Uplift Michigan initiative. Oh, and did I forget to mention, audience members were dressed in black too!
Free Live Event!
Shark Tank meets America’s Got Talent! Part Game Show – Part Competition, the final round of PITCH BLACK Grand Rapids was held on Thursday, September 28, 2023 at the Charles W. Loosemore Auditorium in the GVSU’s Pew Campus at the Richard M. DeVos Center.
Twenty contestants completed six weeks of prep training and participated in preliminary rounds leading to seven finalists who competed on stage for over $10,000 in cash prizes; presenting 5-minute business pitches to a panel of judges and a live studio audience.
1st Place
$5,000
Maneeka Beasley
Cakes by the Jar
2nd Place
$3,500
Bertina Polk
My Little Love Bugs Childcare
3rd Place
$1,500
Jessica Ann Tyson
BEASTRO
People’s Choice Award – $500
Valerie James
VSJ Fitness
View Photos from Pitch Black Grand Rapids 2023
FINALIST Jina Rockwell
Rockwell Earthworks
Jrockwell@rockwellearthworks.com
www.Rockwellearthworks.com
FINALIST Maneeka Beasley
Cakes by the Jar
hello@cakesbythejar.com
www.cakesbythejar.com
FINALIST Valarie James
VSJ Fitness
vsjfitness@gmail.com
www.vsjfitness.com
Breasia Battle
A Fresh Look Events
afreshlookevents@gmail.com
www.afreshlookevents.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
FINALIST Yvonne Cones
Age N Grace
agengraceyc@gmail.com
agengrace.net
FINALIST Bertina Polk
My Little Love Bugs Childcare
Tinapolk42870@gmail.com
Barbara Johnson
Honeybee’s Kitchen and Catering
Honeybeejohnson58@gmail.com
Clevon White, Jr.
Divine Dezignz
Gms.salvation.chasin144@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
FINALIST Crystal Palasek
Lost Fawn Winery
lostfawnwinery@gmail.com
www.lostfawnwinery.com
FINALIST Jessica Ann Tyson
BEASTRO, Fresh Canine Cuisine
Info@thebeastro.co
www.thebeastro.co
Sam Prince
Samber Productions
Samberprod2021@gmail.com
www.samber.productions
Alim Price
Royal Wayz
alimprice1013@gmail.com
Royalwayz.com
Ebony Wilson
Astonishing Looks By E
astonishinglooks.bye@gmail.com
Pierre Davon Pascal
Pierre Davon Pascal
PierredavonPascal@gmail.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:
In the News
September 28, 2023 | WZZM ABC13
Four Kent County Black-owned businesses share $10,500 in prize money from ‘Pitch Black’
September 28, 2023 | Wood TV 8
GR competition aims to uplift Black-owned businesses
September 28, 2023 | WZZM ABC13
Watch the Pitch Black competition Thursday at GVSU
September 27, 2023 | Crain’s Grand Rapid’s Business
Pitch competition for Black entrepreneurs moves to Kent County
September 20, 2023 | WKTV
Local Black business owners unveil heart behind their businesses in Pitch Black Grand Rapids competition Sept. 28
September 20, 2023 | MLive
Black-owned business pitch competition boasts $10K in cash prizes
September 19, 2023 | Black Hot Fire Network
Black-owned Business Pitch Competition Boasts $10K in Cash Prizes
September 16, 2023 | Crast Business News
Pitch Black Grand Rapids offers pitch competition for black entrepreneurs
September 16, 2023 | MITechNews.com
Pitch Black Grand Rapids Offers Pitch Contest For Black Entrepreneurs
September 11, 2023 | 100.5 The River, Magic 104.9, 98.7 FGR, Mix 95.7, WGRD 97.9
Michigan SBDC Sets To Give $10,000 To Grand Rapids Black Business In PITCH BLACK Competition