TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — A trio of Florida A&M University students showcased their creativity and strategic
thinking to win the first-place $25,000 prize atthe 2025 KIND Perfect Pitch competition, held Tuesday, Oct. 28 in partnership with The KIND Company.
KIND Company logo. (Photo by Glenn Beil/FAMU Communications)
“This is going straight to my spring tuition,” said Makenzie Jackson, an accounting sophomore and member of the first-place team Sweet Solutions.“We worked
hard to make sure our idea was not only innovative but something KIND could realistically
implement.”
Jackson and her teammates Ramona Copeland and Roxanne James, developed an AI-powered
chatbot designed to provide personalized products suggestions and gather real-time
consumer insights.
“I’m first generation and out of state, so I needed this,” added James, a junior supply chain management major. “This experience pushed us to think creatively
and helped us grow as future business leaders.”
Over several weeks, students collaborated with KIND coaches to create full-scale business
pitches—from concept to execution—aimed at driving innovation and brand growth. They
then refined their ideas before presenting them to a panel of KIND executives.
“We’re so excited. Thank you so much for this win!” said Copeland, a sophomore business administration major. “It feels amazing to be recognized for
the time and teamwork we put into this project.”
Since 2021, the annual case study challenge has invited students from across disciplines
to tackle real-world business problems while developing creative, results-driven strategies.
The event was hosted by Kameron Gomez, a proud FAMU School of Business and Industry (SBI) graduate who said she once stood
in the same position as this year’s competitors.
Second place was awarded to 3 of a KIND for “Big Hearts, Small Receipts,” a proposed partnership with Walmart integrating AI, rewards, and data analytics to
make KIND products more affordable. Team members included FAMU students Curen’cee Smith, Jennay Gabbidon, and Zion Hackney.
Team “Three of a Kind” celebrates their $10,000 second-place win at the 2025 KIND
Perfect Pitch Competition. (Photo by Glenn Beil/FAMU Communications)
Third place went to The Tech Titans for “One of KIND,” a customizable bar campaign supported by an interactive TikTok experience. Team members
included Lejohn Thomas, Bryce Alexander, and Danielle Devose.
Members of Team Tech Titans celebrate their $6,000 third-place win at the 2025 KIND
Perfect Pitch Competition. (Photo by Glenn Beil/FAMU Communications)
Innovation Across The Hill
Two additional FAMU teams impressed the judges with their creativity and execution:
Thee Hilltop Queens — Cordaia Clark, Nyla Stevenson, and Janae White proposed a strategic partnership with 8451, a leading data firm, to predict shopper
behavior and improve business outcomes. Their plan also included the launch of a KIND Dessert Line tailored to global market preferences and a co-branding collaboration with Crumbl
Cookies.
Team The Hilltop Queens presents their business concept during the 2025 KIND Perfect
Pitch Competition. (Photo by Glenn Beil/FAMU Communications)
KIND Kapitalists — Amir Thomas, Zoie Rae Robinson, and Imani Norris introduced “KIND’s Chocolate Dipped Energy Clusters,” a fusion of existing KIND products tailored for college students seeking convenient,
energy-boosting snacks. Their concept also proposed large-scale manufacturing optimization
through IBM Maximo.
Students present their innovative business idea during the 2025 KIND Perfect Pitch
Competition. (Photo by Glenn Beil/FAMU Communications)
A Growing Partnership
“I’m super excited about the KIND case and very happy for all of the teams,” said Rashada Houston Turner, MBA, associate instructor in the Department of Management and Marketing and chair of
the Global Leadership Conference at Walt Disney World. “The caliber of our students
continues to get better every year. KIND has been an incredibly committed partner
since 2021—investing resources and mentorship that allow our students to deliver exceptional
solutions. I’m already looking forward to next year.”
Rashada Houston Turner, MBA, with FAMU SBI graduate Kameron Gomez. (Photo by Glenn
Beil/FAMU Communications)
Her reflection highlights the lasting partnership between FAMU’s School of Business and Industry and KIND—a
collaboration that continues to empower students to merge innovation with impact while
preparing them for leadership in global markets.
Media Contact:
Ashley Flete
Senior Communications Specialist
ashley1.flete@famu.edu