The Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF), with presenting partner, Apple, will host 100 hand-selected students from 37 Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), for THE PITCH 2019. This challenging entrepreneurial competition will be held Monday, May 20 through Thursday, May 23, 2019, in Durham, North Carolina.
TMCF’s newly re-designed Innovation & Entrepreneurship Division identified the talented HBCU students who will develop solutions to business, social, or educational problems and pitch their ideas to an expert panel of judges. THE PITCH 2019 is the optimum opportunity for HBCU students to learn, engage in hands-on exercises, and develop the three C’s of an Entrepreneurial Mindset: Curiosity, Connections, and Creating value.
“In today’s evolving globally diverse marketplace we have to ensure that America’s HBCU students are first given the tools to enhance their talents and the opportunities to present their skills,” said TMCF Executive Vice President of Business Development and Innovation & Entrepreneurship, George Spencer. “THE PITCH 2019 is one of the best opportunities around for our most creative, and entrepreneurial HBCU minds to solve real-world problems through their innovative solutions.”
Students will also hear from industry experts that will provide training sessions led by event partners like the CIA, Deere & Company and Wells Fargo.
Scheduled speakers and expert judges include:
Brandon Andrews, Co-Founder, Gauge
Charlie Bradley, Senior Director of Public Affairs, Brian Hamilton Foundation
Tani Brown, Chief of Staff, Jopwell
Michael Doernberg, CEO and Co-Founder, ReverbNation
Drew Henson, CEO, Seam Technic
Rashad Howard, Entrepreneur, Investor, Change Agent
Terrence J, actor, host, producer, and TMCF National Ambassador
Ebony Pope, Principal, Rethink Education
Mayor Steve Schewel, City of Durham
Davon Snipes, Strategy Lead, Office of the CIO, Google
Harry L. Williams, President & CEO, TMCF
Chris Williams, Franchise Owner, Subway
In past years, prizes for the winning teams have included an opportunity to attend Apple’s WWDC conference, Leadership Exchange Study Abroad Scholarship, Macbooks, and iPads.
“I am really excited to be a judge for TMCF’s THE PITCH 2019,” said Terrence J, TMCF National Ambassador. “As an entrepreneur myself, I have tremendous respect for these HBCU students competing to use innovation to find solutions through technology.
Note: There are students participating attending North Carolina HBCUs: Elizabeth City State University, North Carolina A&T State University, and North Carolina Central University.
For more information about TMCF programs, visit: tmcf.org