The Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF), with presenting sponsor, Apple, hosted The Pitch 2019 innovation and entrepreneurial competition for 100 hand-selected Historically Black College and University (HCBU) students from 37 different HBCUs in the heart of “Black Wall Street” at the historic Tower at Mutual Plaza, in Durham, NC.
Members of The Pitch 2019 first place team winning team were:
- Tykira Beasley, Elizabeth City State University
- Sydney Holness, Florida A&M University
- Carlos Mayers, Hampton University
- Keyshawn Morehead, Albany State University
- Milan Philbert, University of the Virgin Islands
Over the course of a very intense week of learning, the team created an innovative app for school teachers called GRADE FLIP. The app is designed to make the process of grading papers more efficient allowing them more time to spend with their students. Team members won a MacBook, and DJI Mavic Air drone.
“The Pitch 2019 has honestly changed my life! I’m blessed to have met so many talented students and to have been mentored by the TMCF staff and sponsors,” said winning pitch team member Sydney Holness. “My team worked so cohesively and tirelessly to build our business idea to the best of our ability and we will bring it to fruition. Even students who weren’t on teams together plan to stay connected to collaborate on future business ideas. Thank you TMCF for giving me the opportunity, and space to grow as a business mind, I will never forget it.”
Head over to TMCF.org to read more.
