04/28/2026
What an unforgettable night at the Robert H. “Bob” Bell Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurial Development Pitch Competition! 💡🔥
We were honored to welcome an incredible lineup of guests who helped make the evening one to remember. Huge thank you to our host, Fly Guy DC, for bringing unmatched energy to the stage, and special guest Jayda Cheaves for joining us and inspiring our audience.
We also appreciate the powerful opening remarks from CIED Director Dr. Bruce Berger and Dean Udoka.
A major congratulations to all of our talented pitch teams for presenting bold ideas and showcasing the future of business:
✨ Friction Network (Jacob Robinson, Jayla Holman)
✨ Intern Credit ( Blake Ingram, Olivia Okabare, Alicia Robinson, Yolanda Whitfield)
✨ Smartsteam Microwave (Tatyana Miller, Lael Nguepi, Lamia Wilson, Kylah Irby)
✨ Bloom Forward Foundation (Devin Blooomer, Kalea Bellazain)
✨ Safe AI App (Jayla Moss, Ethan White, Sarah Howell)
And a special congratulations to our 1st Place Winner, Bloom Forward Foundation, for taking home the $10,000 grand prize! 🏆💰
Lastly, thank you to our judges for your time, insight, and commitment to supporting the next generation of entrepreneurs.
✨ Jewel Walker
✨Tanya White
✨Craig King
✨Laron Walker
✨Danesha Smith