Meet the competition: 10 entrepreneurs vying for $60K at KC GIFT ‘Pitch Black’ business summit
March 17, 2025 | Startland News Staff
The return of Kansas City G.I.F.T.’s spring pitch competition not only opens the door to prize money for emerging Black entrepreneurs, said Brandon Calloway, it also allows community members and supporters of his nonprofit to see the impact of its mission firsthand.
GIFT’s highly anticipated Pitch Black Business Summit 2025 is set for 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, March 29, at the Delta Athenaeum, 900 E. Linwood Boulevard, Kansas City. It includes local vendors, classes designed to help entrepreneurs elevate their businesses, and $60,000 in winnings for 10 competitors vying for three top awards.
“The pitch competition serves as a way to provide much needed capital to Black owned businesses that can accelerate their growth,” said Calloway, CEO and co-founder of GIFT. “But it also serves as a reminder of the numerous Black-owned businesses providing remarkable value throughout our metro area.”
Each of the 10 finalist entrepreneurs in the competition will pitch their business ideas before a panel of judges for a chance to win a $30,000 grand prize. Additional $20,000 and $10,000 awards also are up for grabs.
Competitors were selected from a pool of applicants, with five selected by GIFT’s board of directors and five chosen during a live drawing on Instagram. They include:
- AIMwell Yoga — Debonie Lewis
- The Black Pantry — Brian Roberts
- Civic Saint — Godfrey Riddle
- The Combine — Alan Keeland
- Hive + Harvest — William Fondren
- In Good Company KC — Daniel Edwards and Cedric Ransburg
- Integrity Martial Arts Academy — David Muhammad
- The Mutual Musicians Foundation — Ernest Melton (creative director)
- On The Rocks Gourmet Jams — Cathy Cowan
- Taylor Made It — Kassandra Taylor
Click here for tickets to Pitch Black.
“One of my favorite elements this year is the multiple breakout sessions that turns this into a full on expo for Black business owners,” Calloway added. “Spectators will be able to watch some phenomenal high quality pitches, and attend breakout sessions that will help them grow their own businesses.”
The business summit and pitch competition are a cornerstone of GIFT’s mission to close the racial wealth gap in Kansas City by empowering small, Black-owned businesses with grants and professional resources, he added.
“In a political climate where there is a direct and aggressive attack on equity, we are proud to continually provide a platform for resistance,” Calloway said.
Click here to learn more about KC GIFT.
Featured Business
2025 Startups to Watch
stats here
Related Posts on Startland News
Street art to stage: KC fashion designer styles iconic Jim Crow-era musical comedy without missing a beat
Designing for theater gives Whitney Manney the opportunity to be as big and loud as she wants, the street bespoke creator said. A new musical production of “Hairspray” puts Manney’s bold aesthetic through a new lens — and alongside a timely story of acceptance, diversity, and the power of music. “There is no such thing…
‘People pay for value’: How a young mom’s plan to hold passion tight drives her baby apparel side hustle
Coming from a family of business owners, Riley Rhoads knew she wanted to pursue entrepreneurship: starting her own business — but with a goal to help others, the founder of Hold Tight Baby said. “When I hear people talk about, ‘Oh, I want to be an entrepreneur; I want to start and own my own…
New in KC: Ops leader joins KCSourceLink to strengthen network’s collective impact for entrepreneurs
A newly created director of operations role at KCSourceLink is expected to boost efforts to connect entrepreneurs and small businesses with hundreds of resources for growing and scaling their ventures in Kansas City, as well as across the state through MOSourceLink. Dena Thomas Aouassou, a veteran of nonprofit entrepreneurship support and workforce training, recently relocated…
Cultura con carácter: How JEFES inks DINKC’s hometown team with drops of KC Latino hustle
Laedan “DINKC” Galicia draws a fine line between his creative mediums: skin, pen, fabric, and paint — now from a artists hub in Kansas City’s Columbus Park neighborhood. From his signature tattoo style to his JEFES clothing line, DINKC’s bold perspective is leaving a mark on Kansas City culture (and the Super Bowl). “With JEFES, I…