The Dallas Mavericks are set to host the Mavs Business Assist (MBA) Final Pitch Competition on Aug. 6, featuring the top eight entrepreneurs from the 2023-24 class.
This event will not only highlight these rising business stars but also include a fireside chat with Clarence Bethea, Executive in Residence and Investor at True Ventures.
The competition will see presentations from the eight finalists in front of a distinguished panel of judges.
The panel includes Dallas Mavericks CEO Cynt Marshall, ZenBusiness Founder and CEO Ross Buhrdorf, Head of Investment at TIAA Jarrod Fowler, American Airlines Chief Procurement Officer Dan Bartel, and Coca-Cola Southwest Beverages VP of Commercial, Marketing and Digital Operations Derek Alexander.
The entrepreneurs are competing for a grand prize of $25,000.
The finalists are:
- Yolanda Herrera with Pawlicious Cookies
- Terry Clark with Vanta Black Television
- Will Haggins IV with Sir4ourth Enterprises
- Nia-Tayler Clark with BLACKLIT
- Kasim Kabbara with Front Row Live LLC
- Tiffani Dickerson with The Breast Choice Lactation
- Kristen Wells-Lewis with Black to the Lab
- Chelita McDuffie with That’s Sew Creative
In addition to the pitch competition, there will be an exhibition showcasing other businesses from the MBA program.
The MBA Final Pitch Competition is the concluding event for the Mavericks’ flagship business development program.
The program aims to support, empower, and uplift 100 minority businesses in North Texas, providing growth, recognition, and potential investment opportunities.
Applications for the third year of the MBA program will open on August 19 and close on September 5.
This initiative is part of the Mavs Take ACTION! plan, which seeks to empower minority-owned businesses and entrepreneurs while addressing racial inequities and promoting social justice in the Dallas/Fort Worth area.