{"id":1129,"date":"2025-07-11T09:14:09","date_gmt":"2025-07-11T09:14:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/1129\/"},"modified":"2025-07-11T09:14:09","modified_gmt":"2025-07-11T09:14:09","slug":"third-annual-crown-pitch-competition-backs-black-entrepreneurs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/1129\/","title":{"rendered":"Third Annual Crown Pitch Competition Backs Black Entrepreneurs"},"content":{"rendered":"

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"\"Best Pitch winner Brianna Best (second to L) with board member Councilwoman Amelia Parker, executive director Deidra Harper, board member and Shora Foundation CEO Tanika Harper, and board member Jasmine Newton at Crown Pitch, June 2025. Photo by Eli Penson Photography<\/p>\n

Economic development conversations tend to focus on landing big companies or chasing the next unicorn startup, and they tend to overlook the businesses that actually fill our neighborhoods. The places where we meet for tea, seek out for a website, or secure childcare on short notice \u2014 the places that give our community its identity.<\/p>\n

Walking into the third annual Crown Pitch competition, presented by The Women of Knoxville<\/a> in partnership with Shora Foundation<\/a>, it\u2019s a different vibe. Instead of the usual suspects pitching infinitely scalable tech solutions, these were businesses I can actually patronize locally. Not the typical startup ecosystem chasing venture capital, but entrepreneurs building services you\u2019d actually use, buy from and visit right here in Knoxville.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe wanted to be a resource in our community,\u201d said Deidra Harper, executive director of The Women of Knoxville. \u201cWe\u2019re genuine in our work, and we know that there are no other organizations really trying to focus on our Black entrepreneurs in Knoxville, giving them a leg up, and wanting to provide a platform for them to showcase their business.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"Deidra Harper, executive director of The Women of Knoxville, at Crown Pitch, June 2025. Photo by Eli Penson Photography<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cThe idea for the Crown Pitch was born out of sheer frustration,\u201d explains Tanika Harper who, along with being on The Women\u2019s board and Deidra\u2019s sister, is founder and CEO of Shora Foundation. \u201cAt the time, we were grappling with the fact that Knoxville has a poverty rate of 42% [among Black Knoxvillians] \u2014a statistic that felt like a punch in the gut. A few of us got together and asked ourselves: do we keep complaining about the problem, or do we create a solution? We chose action.\u201d<\/p>\n

At Crown Pitch 2025 that action unfolded through six Black women entrepreneurs whose motivations and stories spoke to the whole audience; no concocted brand stories engineered for maximum \u201cinvestability,\u201d just real reasons for starting businesses that address real needs. I know folks left that event fantasizing starting their own business, inspired by the possibility demonstrated by each of these women.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cEntrepreneurship is a way to build wealth for your family. It\u2019s a way to generate revenue in your life,\u201d Deidra said. \u201cWe know that the funding from our original micro-loan program is helpful\u2014and it did benefit a lot of small businesses\u2014but we wanted to do more. That\u2019s when we decided to host a pitch competition and really give the money away.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"The judges, including Dr. Angelique Adams, at Crown Pitch. June 2025. Photo by Eli Penson Photography<\/a><\/p>\n

Judges Dr. Angelique Adams, Kristen Coleman and Beverly Holland asked questions as part of the five-minute-pitch, two-minute Q+A structure, offering more opportunities for pitching entrepreneurs to clarify their vision.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Brianna Best of Breezy\u2019s Plant-Powered<\/a> took home the $7,500 Best Pitch award with a story of health transformation and community wellness that resonated throughout the room. \u201cAs a young business, we did not have the best luck starting out, especially with securing funding and battling financial hurdles,\u201d Brianna shared. \u201cLearning about the Crown Pitch and what it stands for, I knew this could be a real opportunity to be seen and heard and that it could give me and my business the fighting chance we\u2019d been searching for.\u201d<\/p>\n

That fighting chance translates into ambitious community reach. Brianna\u2019s goal is to get 5,000 plant-based meals into Knoxville communities, with at least 40% reaching underserved areas. \u201cSo be it pop-ups, community events, catering events or meal prep options we are going to push harder than ever to further the movement of eating more plants by creating flavors that are as good for you as they are to you,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

\"\"Next Best Pitch award winner Keshadra Tate at Crown Pitch, June 2025. Photo by Eli Penson Photography<\/a>
\n\"\"Next Best Pitch award winner Keshadra Tate (middle) with The Women board members (L to R) Councilwoman Amelia Parker, Jasmine Newton, Tanika Harper and executive director Deidra Harper at Crown Pitch, June 2025. Photo by Eli Penson Photography<\/a><\/p>\n

The $2,500 Next Best Pitch award went to Keshadra Tate of Flower Fire Spa<\/a>, a local candlemaking and tea oasis, whose preparation showed in every practiced word. \u201cI prepared by practicing and editing daily until the day of competition,\u201d she explained. Her motivation came from watching previous participants continue their journeys: \u201cSeeing the powerful women who pitched last year and continuing to watch their journey was more than enough motivation to put the same foot forward.\u201d Keshadra plans to invest her prize money in new outdoor signage, advancing inventory and furthering her education.<\/p>\n

The other entrepreneurs who pitched brought equally compelling visions:\u00a0<\/p>\n

Alexis Alsup of Empowered Doula Services<\/a>, building the first Black-owned midwifery in East Tennessee while providing birth support and health advocacy to local families.
\nEboni James of Kids Cove<\/a>, a pay-by-the-hour, no minimums, no contracts childcare facility that helps families with unpredictable schedules.\u00a0
\nContessa Pierre of Forever Heard<\/a>, an audio guestbook rental company that fosters a unique type of memory-making at in-person events.\u00a0
\nSherry Dial of Dial Services LLC<\/a>, a Shopify analytics consulting firm that helps e-commerce businesses increase sales and improve workflows.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"\"Pitchers Sherry Dial & Contessa Pierre at Crown Pitch, June 2025. Photo by Eli Penson Photography<\/a><\/p>\n

Together, they represented the kind of businesses that make neighborhoods more livable \u2014 birth support services, accessible childcare, experiential services, and consulting that meets businesses where they are.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cCommunity over competition\u201d has become a bit of a cliche, but the mood in that room genuinely embodied the rising-tide-lifts-all-boats energy. Each entrepreneur cheered for the others, and the audience responded with an enthusiastic investment in everyone\u2019s success. <\/p>\n

\u201cWe really tried to curate a Black business space, not only among the pitch participants but also the people helping make it happen,\u201d said Deidra. \u201cOur bartender, the charcuterie, the photographer, the videographer\u2014we really try to highlight not only the Crown Pitch participants but other Black businesses in the community. We want folks to be aware of the greatness that\u2019s right here locally.\u201d<\/p>\n

What really excites her, she said, is looking back at previous winners and seeing them really elevate. 2023 winner Sistas of Steel<\/a> used its prize money for youth programming. 2024 winner Jasmine Allmon from Allmon Artistry<\/a> used hers for marketing, got a website and logo, and is now in a whole new building. Looking back, and seeing that investment take root, matters.<\/p>\n

Tanika reflected on the decision to move this year\u2019s event to the Shora Foundation\u2019s youth programming headquarters, which helped foster a more relaxed and comfortable space.<\/p>\n

\u201cOne of the biggest lessons we\u2019ve learned is that where you host something matters,\u201d Tanika reflected, noting the more jubilant and comfortable atmosphere at this year\u2019s location, the Shora Foundation\u2019s youth programming headquarters. \u201cWhat we discovered was that bringing the event into the community made it feel more real, more accessible. Entrepreneurs felt safer and more comfortable pitching their ideas in a familiar environment. It helped ease the imposter syndrome that so many of us carry.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"Tanika Harper at Crown Pitch, June 2025. Photo by Eli Penson Photography<\/a><\/p>\n

That intentional community-centered approach has circulated tens of thousands of dollars back into local businesses. Crown Pitch grew from $5,000 in its first year to $10,000 in 2025, with commitments already securing more for next year. \u201cThe support we\u2019ve gotten from the community is the reason we\u2019ve been able to do what we\u2019ve done,\u201d Deidra said.<\/p>\n

She added that technical assistance and preparation are just as important as funding. The Women of Knoxville continues to work with SCORE<\/a> and other partners to provide pitch prep, financial education and business development tools for participants. \u201cWe really want this to be holistic\u2014not just \u2018get up and pitch,\u2019 but build the skills that help a business succeed long-term,\u201d Deidra explained.<\/p>\n

And even during the event, fundraising momentum continued. \u201cOne of our board members, Jasmine Newton, asked me, \u2018Wait, I thought we had first, second and third place this year?\u2019 And I said, \u2018Girl, we don\u2019t\u2014but maybe we should.\u2019 So I got on that podium and said we want to keep doing this work, but we need more support. And by the end of the night, someone came up and committed to making sure we do have that third-place prize next year. Closed mouths don\u2019t get fed.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Women of Knoxville works year-round creating financing avenues for Black women entrepreneurs through interest-free microloans and business development support. \u201cSupport has to be intentional and ongoing,\u201d Tanika emphasized. \u201cOne simple but powerful way to support Black businesses is to shop with them\u2014consistently, not just during Black History Month.\u201d<\/p>\n

For those inspired to contribute beyond their purchasing power, donations to The Women of Knoxville fund both the microloans and future pitch competitions. \u201cYou don\u2019t have to be a business owner to create change,\u201d she notes. \u201cEvery dollar invested is a step toward closing the racial wealth gap and building a stronger, more equitable Knoxville.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"Femeika Elliott and Amelia Bartlett at Crown Pitch, June 2025. Photo by Eli Penson Photography<\/a>
\n\"\"Dance party at Crown Pitch, June 2025. Photo by Eli Penson Photography<\/a><\/p>\n

It gives me immense hope to witness the visions of entrepreneurs whose success directly benefits the neighborhoods where we all live. These are the businesses that keep local capital circulating and fill gaps that have often been outsourced or simply overlooked.<\/p>\n

In an economy focused on exponential growth, Crown Pitch offered another way to strengthen our local economy and ideas with impact: a celebration of and an investment in businesses who serve the communities where they\u2019re rooted. <\/p>\n

To discover and support local Black-owned businesses, visit #BuyBlackKnox<\/a>. To contribute to Crown Pitch and interest-free microloans, visit The Women of Knoxville<\/a>. Learn more about Crown Pitch co-creator and host, the Shora Foundation, at shorafoundation.org<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Leslie Bateman contributed to this report.<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t