Arvelisha Woods and India Monique took home the top prize of $30,000 at the second annual We Are Black pitch competition sponsored by Kansas City’s Generating Income for Tomorrow (G.I.F.T.)
The sisters, co-owners of Mattie’s Foods, were one of 10 firms competing for the $60,000 in grants awarded at the competition.
Mattie’s Foods offers vegan comfort food through their food truck, cafe, and catering service.The sisters started with a food truck in 2019 and opened their storefront at 63rd and Holmes in 2020.
The sisters say they plan to use their winnings to establish a garden to combat food deserts. When implemented, people can come pick produce at the location and learn to grow their own food.
The $20,000 second prize went to Karina Colvin owner of KC Nails and Spa. In addition to operating a nail salon, she also has a nail school where she’s empowering ladies by helping them develop a skill and a career. She hopes to use her funds to open a cosmetology school.
Third prize of $10,000 went to Guroux Khalifa, owner of District Biskuits.
G.I.F.T. (Generating Income for Tomorrow). Kansas City G.I.F.T. is a nonprofit organization that was founded in 2020 to close the racial wealth gap in KC by awarding grants to Black-owned businesses in historically redlined and underserved neighborhoods.
G.I.F.T. usually only awards grants to businesses located between 9th St on the north to Bannister Road on the south, Troost on the west, and Hardesty Ave on the east. The pitch competition allows G.I.F.T. to expand its service boundaries to include Black-owned businesses anywhere in the KC area.
Other Black-Owned Businesses who competed in the competition included a great mix of established businesses hoping to expand. They included:
- Smooth Body – Tanika Campbell‘s line of small-batch body care products aims to exfoliate and moisturize, promoting healthy smooth skin.
- The Black Pantry – Brian Roberts II‘s home goods and specialty shop in Martini Corner exclusively offers products from Black-owned businesses.
- Duffle Bag Apparel – Kei’Shaun Britton‘s apparel company focuses on wellness and empowerment.
- Cinns Cleaning – Cindi Corredor’s 24/7 home cleaning & service business provides home cleaning, landscaping, and car detailing services in the KC area.
- AGA Productions – Corey McCartney‘s film and music production company is based in Kansas City.
- The Blakk Co – Founded by Christina Williams and Tamela Ross, this membership-based social club & lounge caters to Black professionals.
- BLK + BRWN – Cori Smith‘s interactive ‘smart’ bookstore on 39th Street focuses on Black and Brown authors.
In addition to the pitch competition, attendees at the event had the opportunity to shop from small Black-owned businesses from the Kansas City area. The event will also feature a mini Black business expo/symposium.
The We Are Black Pitch Competition is made possible by the support of individual donors. G.I.F.T. was founded on the belief that collective action can drive meaningful change. Attendance is free, and you can register at bit.ly/BlackPitchCompetition. To donate or learn more about Kansas City G.I.F.T., visit kansascitygift.org.
