Congrats to Chrystal Graves and the LiQUiD team for their well-deserved win at the BLCK VC Pitch Event at AfroTech '24 last week! ?? We’re always amazed by the impact Chrystal continues to make.
?? Congratulations to the finalists and winners of the BLCK VC Pitch Event at AfroTech24! ?? Ashton Keys // Athlytic ?? Chrystal Graves // LiQUiD ?? Olaoluwa Ogundeji // Mimrr ?? Jen Fry, PhD // Coordle ?? Bryant Williams // Hardcore Peanut Butter Spread Company This event showcased the brilliance and resilience ? of over 100 entrepreneurs who shared their vision, passion, and hard work. A heartfelt thanks to everyone who powered this event and made it a success, including our: Panel Judges ?? Eric Blackmon (BAG Ventures), Kareema Thomas (BLCK VC), Jenea Carruth (Deloitte), Camille Little (non sibi ventures), Ronnie Harris II (SVB). Startup Mentors ?? AJ Fortier (SVB), Nicholas Jones (SVB), Saunders Montague (SVB), Sidney Olayinka (SVB/First Citizens Wealth) Event Sponsors ?? Nehemiah Green (Amazon Web Services (AWS) Startups), @Jackson Georges (Black Angel Group), Marcus Marbrey (Deloitte), Kent Lucas (non sibi ventures) Venue Hosts ?? Danny Davis, Sergio Hidalgo and the entire staff at the Late August and The Ion Audio & Visual Partners ?? Aerron Ellisor, Charlie Way (Way Better Sound and Visuals), DJ Bryce Williams Finally, deep gratitude to the BLCK VC/SVB/StartupOS event planning team for their extraordinary care and commitment: Robert Gordon IV, Kareema Thomas, Pen Howell, Naji Jackson, Brittany Johnson. Tosh E., Jeremy R., Vanessa Kuhlor, Sharon Marichalar, Karen Toste, Zachary Nerland, Robert Franklin III (RFS Consulting), Paul Pluschkell, Evin Henriquez-Groves Santana, Timothy VanderMolen, Karrie Messina. This event was more than a competition—it was a celebration of innovation, energy, and a shared commitment to empowering underrepresented founders. The incredible collaboration and purpose brought by everyone involved—judges, mentors, sponsors, participants, and planners—showcased the extraordinary power of community in driving meaningful change for the next generation of innovators. Together, we’re making bold strides to build a more inclusive innovation ecosystem! #BLCKVC #SVB #Catalyst2045 #nonsibiventures #StartupOS #Afrotech24 #PitchEvent #Startups #Entrepreneurship #Innovation