Education Startup Wins $15,000 at Demo Day Pitch Competition
Antoinette Mendez was the first-place winner of the 2024 We Rise Demo Day competition (Photos by Local First Arizona)
Antoinette Mendez, owner of education consultancy Mission 2 Transition, took first place in Local First Arizona’s annual Demo Day pitch competition, taking home a $15,000 prize.
Demo Day judges
Demo Day is an annual event dedicated to the future of Black entrepreneurship. Six graduates of Local First’s We Rise Business Accelerator pitched their businesses and visions for growth to a panel of judges and an audience of community leaders, business owners and supporters of inclusive economic development.
The evening showcased the culmination of years of dedication, resilience and innovation among the participants of a program designed to empower Black business owners to succeed with essential knowledge, skills and mentorship.
Nurturing a thriving business ecosystem
Mendez’s company provides personalized college and career planning services tailored to minority youth and families to improve post-secondary education attainment in Arizona, celebrate diversity and foster individual success.
(via Mission 2 Transition)
She also sells a hands-on activity book “Discover Your Path: Unlocking Your College and Career Potential,” perfect for any high school student or recent graduate seeking to explore their college and career options and for educators seeking to guide them. The workbook helps students build self-awareness, expand vocabulary, strengthen critical thinking, practice goal-setting, participate in cultural engagement and manage stress.
Mendez won the inaugural Kelvin Smith Small Business Grant, a $10,000 award established by Arizona Financial Credit Union in memory of late board member Kelvin Smith, who had a profound impact on the local business community. Smith’s family were in attendance.
Mendez received an additional $5,000 from an anonymous donor in honor of Smith's legacy.
Demo Day co-sponsor Growth Partners Arizona also contributed $10,000 for awards and event costs.
"We Rise Demo Day not only celebrates entrepreneurship but also addresses the systemic challenges faced by Black entrepreneurs in accessing capital and resources," said Carmen Attikossie, who directs the We Rise program.
"Through partnerships with Arizona Financial Credit Union and Growth Partners Arizona, we are committed to bridging the equity gap and nurturing a thriving ecosystem for Black-owned businesses," she added.
Inspiring entrepreneurship and creating generational wealth
Jamila Graham
A $5,000 award for second place went to Jamila Graham, founder of NDUR Athletics, a size-inclusive activewear brand that caters to every "body" in life and the gym.
Jessica Baker
A $2,500 award for third place went to Jessica Baker, creator of Pink Sky Photo Booth, a subsidiary of Pink Sky Productions, which provides a variety of upscale photo booth experiences for hosts and hostesses seeking to impress and entertain at their next event.
Healthy, successful local businesses are crucial to developing community wealth. However, for Black entrepreneurs, historical barriers such as limited access to business loans, predatory financing terms and exclusion from professional networks have made it challenging to move beyond the startup stage.
With the support of partners Arizona Financial Credit Union and Growth Partners Arizona, Local First is dedicated to addressing the Black business equity gap. Initiatives like Demo Day provide resources, funding and networking to maximize growth opportunities for Arizona’s Black entrepreneurs to rise together.
“We are deeply honored to be part of an event that celebrates the remarkable achievements of local entrepreneurs,” said Amy Hysell, president and CEO of Arizona Financial. “Kelvin Smith’s legacy of community support and economic empowerment is perfectly reflected in this event, and witnessing the enthusiasm and innovation of the participants is truly inspiring. This experience reaffirms our commitment to supporting small businesses and the We Rise program.”
To learn more about We Rise Business Accelerator or submit an application, visit localfirstaz.com/we-rise.
