Meet the competition: 10 entrepreneurs vying for $60K at KC GIFT ‘Pitch Black’ business summit

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.