My Memorable Experience At Kroger's Zero Waste | Zero Hunger Challenge
The 2022 TMCF/Kroger Zero Waste | Zero Hunger program participants.

My Memorable Experience At Kroger's Zero Waste | Zero Hunger Challenge

By ROB KNOX

I had the wonderful opportunity of attending Kroger's recent Zero Waste/Zero Hunger Innovation Challenge in conjunction with my job at the Thurgood College Marshall College Fund. The competition was held in Cincinnati during the final week of October.

It was one of the most impactful experiences that I had a chance to be part of. Connecting with talented students from Virginia State, Langston, Prairie View A&M, UAPB, & Southern and watching them work together to provide strategic solutions to an intense case study was inspiring. I departed in awe of these students.

The Innovation Challenge was a three-day in-person business pitch competition where students from Historically Black College and University (HBCU) 1890 land-grant institutions combined the adapted Innovation and Entrepreneurship model with support for the winning team’s ideas, leveraging expertise from Kroger and the Kroger Foundation.

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The students who were part of this challenge were energetic, curious, and prepared to make a significant societal contribution. They are bright lights for our future. More importantly, spending three days with these students riding buses, eating meals together, and proudly cheering them on as they confidently pitched their ideas, confirmed to me that I am right where God wants me to be.

Some of the personal highlights for me was speaking with UAPB students the day before their presentation which helped ease their nerves. The next day, I was so excited when they tied for first place in the competition. Each of them thanked me for my assistance and words. I didn’t do anything other than believe in them and made them understand they already had the greatness to accomplish whatever they desired.

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With the TMCF staff that made this event possible.

The students had two days to prepare a pitch before a panel of judges on food waste and food insecurity. Spending time at Kroger headquarters along with different venues throughout Cincinnati was a terrific experience.

I walked inside of sub-zero freezer at the Cincinnati Food Bank, learned how food integrity is ensured, which was amazing, and spent lots of time smiling knowing that God placed me in a space where my gifts are valued. We received advice during a Ted Talk from Kroger CEO Rodney McMullen. I ate dinner one night with students from Langston and learned plenty about Oklahoma. I was able to share with them that I had profiled Miss Langston Diva Hunt during the Leadership Institute, which was cool.

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Another unique highlight for me was meeting Virginia State student Zhane’ Chesson, a Philly native (pictured to the right). So naturally, we bonded over our southeastern Pennsylvania roots with me being from Chester. Then she’s majoring in communications. Our discussions were great and I know she’s headed for special things in the future. It’s wild to think that in Cincinnati, Ohio, you meet somebody from near your hometown.

We also got a cooking demonstration from top chefs that prepared a delicious breakfast for us. What resonates with me the most are the conversations with the students and learning more about their lives, dreams, and what makes them special.

This was the fourth TMCF event I attended in person, and like the TQRP in Houston, NBA Innovation Challenge in New York, and Leadership Institute in New York, I left refreshed, uplifted, and motivated.

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Working for the Thurgood Marshall College Fund is an amazing experience. Hard to believe it’s been six months since I’ve been with TMCF. My life has been enhanced and enriched significantly by working with so many fantastic students.

Our organization ensures student success by preparing and empowering the next generation of diverse workforce talent through leadership development.?To know we are championing the ambitious spirit, and changing lives by providing scholarship opportunities, internship placements, and intentional professional development programming is a blessing beyond belief.

A?huge fan of women's basketball, Rob Knox is currently the Senior Director of Strategic Communications at Thurgood Marshall College Fund, and a CoSIDA past president. An award-winning communications professional, Knox has over 15-years of experience in several media sectors, including sports information, newspapers, and television. A member of The Lincoln University of Pennsylvania Athletics Hall of Fame, graduate of the NCAA Leadership Institute, NCAA Champion of Diversity Award winner, and 2011 CoSIDA Rising Star Award winner, Knox was one of the most influential, passionate, and accomplished athletic communications professionals and storytellers in the country.?

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