SCORE Black Entrepreneurs Virtual Pitch Event Winners Announced

For Immediate Release – Reposted from https://washingtondc.score.org/black-entrepreneurs-pitch-event SCORE Black Entrepreneurs Virtual Pitch Event Winners Announced

$32,000 in cash provided by SCORE sponsors and $10,000 in MagicMakers® Group services awarded

April 16, 2021 (Washington, D.C) – SCORE Capitol Area District, the area’s largest network of volunteer, expert business mentors encompassing the District of Columbia, Northern Virginia, and the state of Maryland, announced the winners of its first Black Entrepreneurs Virtual Pitch Event. During the April 6 & 7, 2021 pitch event, a panel of judges from the MagicMakers® Group, a global business consultancy of former Disney executives and leaders who bridge the gap between brand promise and operational excellence welcomed98 Black Entrepreneurs who delivered pitches across four categories – Start-up Product, Start-up Service, Established Product and Established Service. The winners in each category are:

• Start-up Product – SWOOP™ – The Original Transition Hanger – an innovative way to hang long clothing more compactly in a closet or luggage (Entrepreneur: Libra Riley of Rockville, MD)
• Start-up Service – CNA Simulations VR – interactive, virtual CNA (certified nursing assistant) training using 3D simulation technology (Entrepreneur: Charlene Brown, MD, MPH of Washington, DC)
• Established Product – The Restroom Kit – a compatible portable all-in-one kit to prevent spread of disease, bacteria and viruses when using public restrooms (Entrepreneurs: Bill and Sonia Massey of Clinton, MD)
• Established Service – The Compass – a critical service to help companies and organizations prepare for, respond to, and recover from any potential disruption to normal operations (Entrepreneur: Mark Dozier of Landover, MD)

Due to the generosity of our SCORE sponsors each of the four will receive an $8,000 cash prize. Plus, Start-up Product winner Libra Riley was awarded a one-hour consultation with an expert from MagicMakers® Group, valued at more than another $1,000. Another seven entrepreneurs were also selected to receive one-hour MagicMakers® Group expert consultations. They are: Bon AppeSweet (Entrepreneur Thereasa Black); Deanna’s Delights (Entrepreneur: Deanna Ongwela); Creating Music Joy (Entrepreneur: Grace Joy Reid); Pretty Peculiar Modeling Agency (Entrepreneur: Toni Junious-Quick); PegaPod (Entrepreneur: Randall Bostick); Deddle’s Mini Donuts (Entrepreneur: Robin: Holmes); and RYG Light (Entrepreneur: Lowell Cade).

“We advise all fledgling entrepreneurs to seek out a SCORE mentor,” said Rob Mauldin, co-Founder of the MagicMakers® Group. “SCORE is a free service that provides incredible value to the process. Our MMG Group found this entire volunteer experience inspiring and as a way to pay it forward.”

Last year MMG introduced its Studios of Expertise consulting as a trusted advisor in functional areas including Consumer Insights, CRM & Loyalty, Design Thinking, Industrial Engineering, Strategy and Feasibilit, and Strategic Communications. From Theme Parks to Cruise Lines, Hotels and Retail, Arenas and Contact Centers, and so much more, MagicMakers® Group drives business.

Following a “How-to Pitch” webinar led by longtime SCORE volunteer and MagicMakers expert Dara Trujillo, each of the 98 worked with a local volunteer SCORE Mentor to refine their submission and practice their pitches.

“It was our pleasure to spend two consecutive days and help all those entrepreneurs, added Trujillo of the MagicMakers® Group. “Given the level of preparation, enthusiasm and ideas, I can assure you these were not easy selections for our panel and there are many others deserving.”

“We are proud to have partnered with MagicMakers® Group on our first Black Entrepreneurs Virtual Pitch Event to give our clients access to the expertise and services of a best-in-class business consultancy and thought leader,” said Ed Coleman, District Director, SCORE Capital Area Region. “This collaboration allowed our two organizations to share information, resources and business proficiency in new ways that are certain to help these entrepreneurs elevate their game and empower their success.

About MagicMakers Group:
The MagicMakers® Group is a collective of 24 former Disney executives and experts, with 400+ years of practical Disney expertise to assess, review and elevate your business. For more information about the MagicMakers® Group, visit MMG at www.magicmakersgroup.com, or follow on LinkedIn and YouTube.

About SCORE:
Since 1964, SCORE has helped more than 11 million aspiring entrepreneurs. Each year, SCORE’s 11,000 volunteer business experts provide free small business mentoring sessions, workshops and educational services to clients in 300 chapters nationwide. In 2018, SCORE volunteers donated 4.3+ million hours to help create 32,387 new businesses and 135,000 full-time, part-time and contractor jobs. For more information about starting or growing a small business, visit SCORE at www.score.org.

Media Contact:
ForMagicMakers® Group: George McNeilly
(407) 791-6851
[email protected]

For SCORE: Ed Coleman
P: (202) 321-0329
[email protected]