Wilmington, DE — (January 22, 2024) The Wilmington Library, Delaware Black Chamber of Commerce (DBCC), the Delaware Racial Justice Collaborative (DRJC), and United Way of Delaware (UWDE) are proud to announce the 3rd Annual Minority Small Business Pitch or Ditch competition final will be held at 6 pm Thursday, January 25 at the Wilmington Library in downtown Wilmington. The final is a fast-paced business pitch competition modeled after ABC’s hit TV show “Shark Tank,” in which Delaware minority entrepreneurs present their businesses to compete for cash prizes.
For our third Pitch or Ditch, three businesses were selected out of dozens that applied. These are:
- My Sister’s Keeper CPR and Phlebotomy Training Courses of Newark
- Coffee Rendezbrew Coffee, Sugar, and Tea of Rehoboth Beach
- The Hive On Loockerman Member-Based Business Center of Dover
Our finalists will pitch to a panel of judges in an intense, live setting. Each finalist will have three minutes plus question time from the judges. Finalists are evaluated on their industry and business finance knowledge and presentation effectiveness. The winner receives $10,000, with the second and third-place finishers also winning cash prizes.
Last year’s winner, Nikita Thomas, owner of God’s Green Earth RX, a purveyor of natural products, including herbal teas, soaps, and natural remedies, received $10,000 to invest in her business.
Tierra Fair, UWDE’s Engagement Vice President, said, “It was a happy coincidence that we selected one finalist from each Delaware county, so this year’s Pitch or Ditch final is truly statewide. This will be an exciting event, and we invite everyone to join in the excitement of this competition!”
Ayanna Khan, DBCC Founder and President/CEO, said, “The competition helps level the playing field by providing an equal opportunity for funding and exposure to minority small businesses. The DBCC is proud and honored to mobilize our resources to provide a healthy cash award to the participants of this pitch competition to advance economic growth in underrepresented communities.”
Before the competition, there will be a networking event highlighting the other businesses that applied to the competition, as well as our event sponsors. The public is invited to visit with the businesses and sponsors and join the audience during the competition. For more information about Pitch or Ditch, visit our website.
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About the Wilmington Library
The Wilmington Library has become the premier intellectual, social, and recreational hub of the city and is a citadel of democracy and intellectual freedom. We continuously host free community events featuring luminaries such as Angela Davis, LeVar Burton, Dolly Parton, Dennis Rodman, Pam Grier, and the cast reunion of A Different World, are just a few. WPL’s capacity-crowd events have drawn residents from every zip code, socioeconomic class, race, and demographic that the library serves. We’re a space that welcomes all ideas and all people. https://wilmington.lib.de.us/.
About the Delaware Black Chamber of Commerce
The DEBCC is dedicated to the business development and economic empowerment of the Delaware economy, particularly the African American communities throughout the State of Delaware, via entrepreneurship utilizing educational models, shared best practices, business resources, and technical assistance. Learn more at www.debcc.org.
About the Delaware Racial Justice Collaborative
Organized by UWDE, the DRJC is a coalition of civic leaders and community-based organizations united in a shared vision for social justice, racial justice, and educational and economic opportunities for persons and communities of color in Delaware. The DRJC advocates for adopting and implementing policies and legislation that make Delaware a safer, more equitable place for families to live, learn, work, and play. Learn more at www.uwde.org/drjc.
About United Way of Delaware
Founded in 1946, UWDE works to advance the common good by focusing on four key areas: Early Education, Career and College Success, Financial Empowerment and Racial Justice and Social Equity. UWDE is engaged in a long-term strategy to eliminate the root causes of Delaware’s most pressing social problems in New Castle, Kent, and Sussex counties. UWDE is also responsible for the United Way brand in Salem County, New Jersey. Learn more and #JoinTheFight at www.uwde.org.
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