Staunton‘s African-American Heritage & Multicultural Festival on Sept. 21 will include a new activity for 2025: a pitch competition by local small businesses.
In business, a pitch competition provides a structured event for entrepreneurs to share products, services or business ideas to a panel of judges or potential investors.
The pitch competition on September 21 will be held from 5 to 6 p.m. at the Gypsy Hill Park Bandstand and is a collaborative effort between the Staunton Black Business Collective and The Shenandoah Community Capital Fund.
Staunton Black Business Collective Director Sabrina Burress believes that tying the event to the annual festival is important.
“Our work is not just about helping businesses find their voice, it’s about making sure the community hears that voice, or in this case, pitch. We hope to build lasting connections and networks for business owners,” Burress said.
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The businesses confirmed to participate are Simone & Tuesday LLC, Nolia’s Lemonade, Charlotte’s Kitchenette, Coushatta’s Creations and Heard the Store. A panel of judges will determine first, second and third-place winners. The award for first place will be $1,000. The second-place winner will receive $500 and the third-place winner will receive $250.
A fan favorite vote will also be part of the competition. Each contestant will have a jar. Each dollar put in the entrepreneur’s individual jar will represent a vote. The founder with the highest dollar amount will win the fan favorite contest, with all contestants keeping the dollars collected in their jars.
The event is one of several initiatives that the SBBC and SCCF have partnered on together. Ryan Hall, executive director of Staunton Community Capital Fund, finds that the relationship between the two organizations just makes sense.
“The Shenandoah Community Capital Fund is proud to support the Staunton Black Business Collective in creating opportunities for local entrepreneurs to share their ideas and grow their businesses. We’re excited to see the impact this pitch competition will have on our region’s vibrant business community,” Hall said.
The Staunton Black Business Collective was created to support current Black and Brown businesses, and to encourage entrepreneurship in the historically marginalized communities. The organization is open to all aspiring or established entrepreneurs seeking business assistance and hopes to fill a similar role to the B Cubed organization in Harrisonburg.
Burress believes that a flourishing minority business sector plays a key role in a flourishing community business sector.
“When we build together, we grow together. I believe that anytime we can work together with the community, we have a greater chance of exposure for business owners and entrepreneurs. The African-American Heritage & Multicultural Festival is such an integral part of our community, and it’s an honor to work alongside them to bring something meaningful to the forefront,” she said.
Staunton‘s African-American Heritage and Multicultural Festival | City of Staunton will be held Saturday, September 20 and Sunday, September 21, 2025 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Gypsy Hill Park.
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Rebecca Barnabi
