The New Voices Foundation announced the winners of the New Voices $150,000 POWER PITCH sponsored by the Entergy Charitable Foundation. Three Black women entrepreneurs pitched on the Global Black Economic Forum Stage at the ESSENCE Festival of Culture™ presented by Coca-Cola ® on Saturday, July 1st for a $75,000 grant, $50,000 grant, and $25,000 grant and business coaching.
The Foundation has held many pitch competitions virtually and in-person around the country since July 2018, providing more than $1,250,000 in non-dilutive capital and over $650,000 of supportive services to pitch entrepreneurs. Entergy’s sponsorship is part of a $250,000 donation from the Entergy Charitable Foundation to support the work of the New Voices Foundation in expanding economic opportunities for entrepreneurs of color.
“New Voices Foundation advances economic equity by closing gaps in access to capital, revenue, entrepreneurial education, and networking opportunities. Our growing and diverse ecosystem allows us to positively impact Black women-owned businesses as we disrupt the status quo in wealth generation,” says Richelyna Hall, chief impact officer of New Voices Foundation.
The Foundation was thrilled to return to New Orleans, and partner with Entergy at the ESSENCE Festival of Culture™ presented by Coca-Cola to support these growing Black women-owned companies and their founders through the New Voices $150,000 POWER PITCH.
“Entergy is committed to promoting diversity and inclusion and we recognize the importance of supporting underrepresented female entrepreneurs,” said Deanna Rodriguez, president and CEO of Entergy New Orleans. “This grant will provide much-needed resources to help deserving, women-owned black-owned businesses thrive and contribute to the growth of our community. We are proud to be a part of their journey and look forward to seeing their continued success.”
The winners are:
$75,000: Brooke Hill, Co-Founder & CEO, Swella Beauty—Over 13 million Black women in America lack access to reliable quality braid services. Unlike other demographics with designated salon chains that provide efficient standard services, Black women do not have this convenience. Swella solves the fragmented, time-consuming, antiquated process of receiving braids by providing a one-stop shop for all things hair braiding, integrating patent-pending technology and streamlined processes to deliver a premium salon experience.
$50,000: Felicia Jackson, CEO/President, CPRWrap—CPRWrap is a disposable CPR template that addresses responder hesitation by having an easy-to-use template with clear, numbered instructions, a built-in, one-way breathing barrier, and visual hand placements that give the victim the best chance that a bystander might have the confidence to provide effective, immediate care.
$25,000: Mabel & Shaira Frias, Co-Founders, LUNA MAGIC—LUNA MAGIC is a fast-growing indie beauty & lifestyle brand founded by sisters Mabel and Shaira Frías. By combining their passions for beauty and lifestyle, the Frias Sisters created a vibrant brand that celebrates their mutual love for their multicultural heritage, culture, and music—in living color. LUNA MAGIC is distributed nationwide at Target, CVS, and Walmart retail stores.
