Empowering and equipping the next generation of Black entrepreneurs
is the mission of UNCF’s (United Negro College Fund) Center for
Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIE). That was the driving force
behind the center’s recent Innovate for Impact Pitch Competition in
partnership with Think Broccoli, a creative agency focusing on
brands. The competition resulted in $32, 500 in funding to support
the ventures of three student entrepreneurs from historically Black
colleges and universities (HBCUs). The awards were presented before
a live audience at The Gathering Spot in Washington, DC.
Following an electric evening of pitching products and services
for possible investments by venture capitalists, the competition’s
judges selected the top three winners from among eight finalists.
The winners were:
Raina Ford from Howard University who took home the grand
prize of $15,000 for Project I See U, LLC, a multimedia and retail
products social entrepreneurship company. The company develops
products to meet the mental and emotional needs of children and
adults who are the siblings of an ill or disabled person.
Folaranmi Olawepo from North Carolina A&T State
University won second place and $10,000 for his app Neur to
support student entrepreneurs.
Sydney Jael-Wilson from Spelman College won third place
and $7,500 for a social justice-oriented mobile bookstore, Books
from The Ashes, she co-founded with fellow student Summer
Clark.
“These young leaders are tackling real issues, from supporting
families facing health challenges to promoting social justice
through literacy. They embody the change we want to see in the
world,” said Devon Cobin, director, center for innovation and
entrepreneurship, UNCF.
“And we're just getting started. We're going to keep pushing,
keep expanding, and keep fostering innovation. Because every HBCU
student with a dream deserves a shot at making it a reality.”
Raina was elated as the top winner of the competition. “My time
as an Innovate for Impact Pitch Competition participant was a
transformative experience not only professionally but personally. I
was able to meet fellow HBCU entrepreneurs, mentors and future
investors,” Raina said. “I am grateful for the opportunity to share
my vision and receive capital for my business, Project I See U.
Thank you UNCF and Broccoli City Fest for the opportunity to gain a
vast network of business professionals who are truly invested in my
growth and success.”
The Innovate for Impact Pitch Competition began with a pool of
360 students who submitted their ventures within a week and a half.
The 360 ventures were reduced to 65 from 27 HBCUs.
Twenty-four were selected for mentorship and ultimately eight were
selected to compete in the final round of the competition.
UNCF’s Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship was
established with a singular mission: to empower and equip the next
generation of Black entrepreneurs. Recognizing the unique
challenges faced by HBCU students and alumni, CIE provides
resources, mentorship and opportunities that foster innovation,
economic growth, and community impact.
Over the past year, the CIE has made significant strides in
supporting emerging entrepreneurs through various programs,
research initiatives and community engagements.
By partnering with organizations like Think Broccoli, a creative
agency focused on developing and implementing strategies that
position brands to be shared, heard, tasted or watched, CIE aims to
amplify the voices and ventures of HBCU founders who are committed
to making a positive difference in their communities.
“UNCF’s Innovate for Impact Pitch Competition is a testament to
our commitment to nurturing and showcasing the incredible talent
within our HBCUs. This event not only highlights the innovative
ideas of our participants but also underscores the importance of
investing in social ventures that address critical issues and drive
sustainable change,” Corbin said.
“We are incredibly proud of the entrepreneurs who participated
in the competition. They worked tirelessly to develop their
ventures, and we believe their ideas have the potential to
transform communities and industries alike.”
Contestants eligible for the competition were 18 years of age or
older, enrolled as a full-time student at an HBCU, and a legal
resident of the 50 states or the District of Columbia.
Since 2014, UNCF has supported students in their entrepreneurial
endeavors through programming, scholarship and mentorships. These
students come from a variety of backgrounds, but they share an
interest in exploring how entrepreneurship can improve well-being
for individuals, communities and society as a whole.
In 2022, UNCF expanded this work by launching The Center for
Innovation and Entrepreneurship as a guide to and through the HBCU
Entrepreneurial ecosystem. Its mission is to address social
inequities through entrepreneurship by empowering Black and other
creators with community and opportunity, from idea to impact.
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About UNCF UNCF (United Negro College Fund) is the
nation’s largest and most effective minority
education organization. To serve youth, the community and the
nation, UNCF supports students’ education and development through
scholarships and other programs, supports and strengthens its 37
member colleges and universities, and advocates for the importance
of minority education and college readiness. While totaling only 3%
of all colleges and universities, UNCF institutions and other
historically Black colleges and universities are highly effective,
awarding 15% of bachelor’s degrees, 5% of master’s degrees, 10% of
doctoral degrees and 19% of all STEM degrees earned by Black
students in higher education. UNCF administers more than
400 programs, including scholarship, internship and fellowship,
mentoring, summer enrichment, and curriculum and faculty
development programs. Today, UNCF supports more than 50,000
students at over 1,100 colleges and universities across the
country. Its logo features the UNCF torch of leadership in
education and its widely recognized trademark, ‟A mind is a
terrible thing to waste.”® Learn more at UNCF.org or
for continuous updates and news, follow UNCF on X (formerly
Twitter) at @UNCF.
Roy Betts
UNCF
240.703.3384
roy.betts@uncf.org