Roughly 500 people gathered at the Patricia Reser Center for the Arts in Beaverton Wednesday for the sixth edition of PitchBlack.
Founded by small business advocate Stephen Green, the competition provides an opportunity for Black entrepreneurs to showcase their companies and compete for thousands of dollars in prize money.
Ten companies pitched their businesses and audience members voted on the winners.
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Coming away with $30,000 and first place was Creative Homies, founded by Cyrus Coleman and Adewale (Wale) Agboola. As the Business Journal reported in December, the two have purchased the Horizon Enterprise Building in Old Town to house a multi-story "creative center for the BIPOC community."
Horizon Enterprise Building
Coleman and Agboola will use their winnings to continue the remodel. Eventually, the creative center will house a studio to host artists in residence, a makers space, a gallery and, in the basement, a jazz club and speakeasy.
Also taking home a slice of the prize money, which is generated in part by PitchBlack ticket sales, was Damola Omotosho, founder of CardCraft, which creates and mails custom greeting cards and curated gifts; and Rashad Floyd of Heart & Hustle Productions, which produces "authentic storytelling" through cinematic productions and photography.
Other companies that participated this year were:
Since launching PitchBlack in Portland in 2015, Green has expanded to events in Seattle, Austin and Philadelphia. More than 100 founders have participated and more than $100,000 has been awarded to winning companies.
The 2023 event sold out soon after tickets went on sale.
