startup pitches

The first full day of Black Wall Street Homecoming culminated in what has become the norm for startup events—a pitch competition. Yet, the Black Wall Street Homecoming angle was clear: connect companies with a wider network. Bull McCabe’s, the Durham staple Irish pub, hosted the evening event, complete with outdoor stage and professional lighting. Ten founders pitched on a stage surrounded by sleek signage and Christmas lights. Competitors were prohibited from using pitch decks and product demonstrations. Instead, they had four minutes to convince the judges—Diishan Imara of Mayvenn and Christina Francis and Ryan Smith of Magic Johnson Enterprises —that their startup was worthy of...