![\"KIND](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/1024x768_2025KIND6.jpg\")
<\/p>\nTALLAHASSEE, Fla.\u00a0\u2014 A trio of Florida A&M University students showcased their creativity and strategic
\n thinking to win \u00a0the first-place $25,000 prize atthe 2025\u00a0KIND Perfect Pitch\u00a0competition, held Tuesday, Oct. 28 in partnership with\u00a0The KIND Company.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
KIND Company logo. (Photo by Glenn Beil\/FAMU Communications)<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is going straight to my spring tuition,\u201d said\u00a0Makenzie Jackson, an accounting sophomore and member of the first-place team Sweet Solutions.\u201cWe worked
\n hard to make sure our idea was not only innovative but something KIND could realistically
\n implement.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jackson and her teammates Ramona Copeland and Roxanne James, developed an AI-powered
\n chatbot designed to provide personalized products suggestions and gather real-time
\n consumer insights.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m first generation and out of state, so I needed this,\u201d added James, a junior supply chain management major. \u201cThis experience pushed us to think creatively
\n and helped us grow as future business leaders.\u201d<\/p>\n
Over several weeks, students collaborated with KIND coaches to create full-scale business
\n pitches\u2014from concept to execution\u2014aimed at driving innovation and brand growth. They
\n then refined their ideas before presenting them to a panel of KIND executives.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re so excited. Thank you so much for this win!\u201d said\u00a0Copeland, a sophomore business administration major. \u201cIt feels amazing to be recognized for
\n the time and teamwork we put into this project.\u201d<\/p>\n
Since 2021, the annual case study challenge has invited students from across disciplines
\n to tackle real-world business problems while developing creative, results-driven strategies.<\/p>\n
The event was hosted by\u00a0Kameron Gomez, a proud FAMU School of Business and Industry (SBI) graduate who said she once stood
\n in the same position as this year\u2019s competitors.<\/p>\n
Second place\u00a0was awarded to\u00a03 of a KIND\u00a0for\u00a0\u201cBig Hearts, Small Receipts,\u201d\u00a0a proposed partnership with Walmart integrating AI, rewards, and data analytics to
\n make KIND products more affordable. Team members included FAMU students\u00a0Curen\u2019cee Smith,\u00a0Jennay Gabbidon, and\u00a0Zion Hackney.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
![\"Team](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/1024x768_2025KIND2.jpg\")
Team \u201cThree of a Kind\u201d celebrates their $10,000 second-place win at the 2025 KIND
\n Perfect Pitch Competition. (Photo by Glenn Beil\/FAMU Communications)<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
Third place\u00a0went to\u00a0The Tech Titans\u00a0for\u00a0\u201cOne of KIND,\u201d\u00a0a customizable bar campaign supported by an interactive TikTok experience. Team members
\n included\u00a0Lejohn Thomas,\u00a0Bryce Alexander, and\u00a0Danielle Devose.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
![\"Members](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/1024x768_2025KIND4.jpg\")
Members of Team Tech Titans celebrate their $6,000 third-place win at the 2025 KIND
\n Perfect Pitch Competition. (Photo by Glenn Beil\/FAMU Communications)<\/p>\n
Innovation Across The Hill<\/p>\n
Two additional FAMU teams impressed the judges with their creativity and execution:<\/p>\n
Thee Hilltop Queens\u00a0\u2014\u00a0Cordaia Clark,\u00a0Nyla Stevenson, and\u00a0Janae White\u00a0proposed a strategic partnership with 8451, a leading data firm, to predict shopper
\n behavior and improve business outcomes. Their plan also included the launch of a\u00a0KIND Dessert Line\u00a0tailored to global market preferences and a co-branding collaboration with Crumbl
\n Cookies.<\/p>\n
![\"Team](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/1024x768_2025KIND7.jpg\")
Team The Hilltop Queens presents their business concept during the 2025 KIND Perfect
\n Pitch Competition. (Photo by Glenn Beil\/FAMU Communications)<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
KIND Kapitalists\u00a0\u2014\u00a0Amir Thomas,\u00a0Zoie Rae Robinson, and\u00a0Imani Norris\u00a0introduced\u00a0\u201cKIND\u2019s Chocolate Dipped Energy Clusters,\u201d\u00a0a fusion of existing KIND products tailored for college students seeking convenient,
\n energy-boosting snacks. Their concept also proposed large-scale manufacturing optimization
\n through IBM Maximo.<\/p>\n
![\"Students](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/1024x768_2025KIND8.jpg\")
Students present their innovative business idea during the 2025 KIND Perfect Pitch
\n Competition. (Photo by Glenn Beil\/FAMU Communications)<\/p>\n
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A Growing Partnership<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m super excited about the KIND case and very happy for all of the teams,\u201d said\u00a0Rashada Houston Turner, MBA, associate instructor in the Department of Management and Marketing and chair of
\n the Global Leadership Conference at Walt Disney World. \u201cThe caliber of our students
\n continues to get better every year. KIND has been an incredibly committed partner
\n since 2021\u2014investing resources and mentorship that allow our students to deliver exceptional
\n solutions. I\u2019m already looking forward to next year.\u201d<\/p>\n
![\"Rashada](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/1024x768_2025KIND3.jpg\")
Rashada Houston Turner, MBA, with FAMU SBI graduate Kameron Gomez. (Photo by Glenn
\n Beil\/FAMU Communications)<\/p>\n
Her reflection\u00a0highlights\u00a0the lasting partnership between FAMU\u2019s School of Business and Industry and KIND\u2014a
\n collaboration that continues to empower students to merge innovation with impact while
\n preparing them for leadership in global markets.<\/p>\n
Media Contact:<\/p>\n
Ashley Flete
Senior Communications Specialist\u00a0
ashley1.flete@famu.edu<\/a>\u00a0<\/p>\n