Our 3rd Annual Pitch Competition was a major success! Our entrepreneurs pitched their businesses to a panel of industry leaders, gained insightful feedback, and even sold their products/services on site to family and friends after the event.
The 1st place winner was Natalie Nieves, the Founder of Bold Creations, a graphic design business and our 2nd place winner was Brianna Smith, the Founder of Kraftii Kouture, a handcrafted jewelry business. Every participant was also awarded $1,000 in funding for their business thanks to a generous donation!
Natalie, an intern in the Web Department, was only 15 years old when she started Bold Creations, making flyers for her friend’s house parties. Ever since, Bold Creations has flourished, expanded, and moved onto becoming a freelance graphic design business that specializes in branding. The funding she received from the competition will help her business grow in many ways.
“The Pitch competition has helped my business tremendously! I can now begin to look for office space to separate my work life from my home life. I ️can also officially invest into another brand photoshoot to take my content and work to the next level.”
Thank you to all of our participants (Nyree, Michael, Kyla, Peggy, Brianna, and Natalie ) - our incredible judges, and our sponsors - Holman Automotive, NJM Insurance Group, and Square for supporting our mission.
Dan Rhoton, the CEO of the New Jersey-based job training nonprofit Hopeworks, firmly believes AI can help prepare underprivileged young adults to enter the workforce. Hopeworks utilizes AI tools to upskill Camden, N.J.-area residents over 17 and connect them with local employers. Rhoton sees the technology as a way to level the playing field between […]
This month has been incredible! In the month of April, Hopeworks has placed 20 young adults in full time jobs with an average starting wage of $42,861! This means over $850,000 in wages are going right back into our young adults’ families and communities. Check out a few other job placement stories and testimonials below.
Congratulations is in order for GIS team member Nyah Thompson who was recently hired by Connexus Technology for a full time position on the Data Imaging team! Nyah previously worked in the restaurant industry, but is also a versatile visual artist with a strong background and tons of talent. Nyah joined Hopeworks because she wanted to get into […]
