Program Overview
The Thurgood Marshall College Fund’s (TMCF) Innovation and Entrepreneur (I&E) Program has teamed up with Gucci Changemakers to find innovators and entrepreneurs attending Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) or Predominately Black Institutions (PBIs). We’re looking for students who think critically, creatively, and are passionate about solving problems that impact the world. TMCF will select 10 HBCUs or Predominantly Black Institutions (PBIs) to participate in the Changemakers HBCU Innovation Competition. Of the ten schools selected to compete, three students from each school will make up their team and represent their institution. This one-and-a-half-day event will be both challenging and rewarding! Teams will be tasked with developing solutions to social, educational, and economic problems facing the communities surrounding their HBCU and pitch their ideas to a panel of expert judges comprised of successful entrepreneurs and business leaders. Students will also engage with top leaders at Gucci during immersive panel discussions and chats.
About Gucci Changemakers
The Gucci Changemakers Impact Fund is a $5 million grant fund, distributing $1 million per year over the next five years, to support 501(c)(3) nonprofit community organizations that are focused on three areas of impact: social justice and equity; art and culture; and education, working in diverse communities in 12 cities across North America over the course of five years. The Changemakers program will select nonprofit partner organizations in Atlanta, Chicago, Detroit, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, New York, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Toronto, and Washington, DC, to provide between $10,000-$50,000 in grant funds for a one-year funding cycle per selected organization.
The Problem
What innovative solution can your team develop that solves a social, educational, or economic problem faced on your HBCU campus or the communities surrounding your HBCU? Present your concepts in the form of a pitch deck. Students selected to move forward in the competition will pitch their ideas to an expert panel of judges.
Team Eligibility Requirements
All team members must meet the following requirements:
- Must have a team of 3 and designate a team leader
- Enrolled as a full-time student at an HBCU or PBI during the 2019-2020 academic year
- Must be Freshman, Sophomore or Junior during the 2019-2020 Academic Year
- Must be in good academic standing with no disciplinary infractions and have a cumulative GPA of a 3.0 or higher
Pitch Presentation Requirements
- Teams leaders should submit a presentation deck outlining your team’s solution to a social, educational, or economic problem that impacts individuals within your HBCU community
- The presentation deck should be no more than 15 slides and submitted as a PDF, PPT or Keynote
- Cover page/slide must include presentation title and team member names
Key Dates
Deadline: August 3, 2020, at 11:59 PM EDT
Virtual Program Date: August 20-21, 2020
How to Apply
This application is closed.