2025 Summit, Pitch & North Star Report

ABOUT THE EVENTS

EMPOWERMENT SUMMIT

ETV’s Empowerment Summit, themed “Controlling Our Destiny,” features a Black-Owned Business & Resource Marketplace, four educational workshops, and a keynote panel designed for the community. Our Marketplace is a platform to generate revenue, connect entrepreneurs with potential business leads, and facilitate networking among like-minded individuals.The Empowerment Summit kicked off this years Black History month with features panels on entrepreneurship, mental health, and financial wellness led by expert panelists.

VILLAGE VENTURES BUSINESS PITCH COMPETITION

ETV’s Village Ventures Pitch Competition provides Black entrepreneurs the opportunity to pitch their business to an expert panel of judges for cash prizes. The Pitch Competition not only gives entrepreneurs an opportunity to raise capital, but also receive coaching during the process to help them grow their companies successfully. Through Village Ventures and ETV’s Village Empowerment Network, contestants are provided free access to 1:1 strategic business counseling. This year, they also received an exclusive pitch coaching session with celebrity expert and Killer Pitch Master Precious Williams. Since its inception in 2023, Empower The Village has awarded $45,000+ to Black entrepreneurs through the Village Ventures Pitch Competition.

NORTH STAR EMPOWERMENT CELEBRATION

Empower The Village’s North Star Empowerment Celebration is an opportunity to broadcast the mission and vision of ETV, highlight successful, seasoned entrepreneurs -North Stars and Legacy Honorees as role models; and recognize community leaders with the Sankofa award with cash prizes to our Village Ventures Business Pitch Competition winners. The Celebration also provides a platform to network and fundraise for ETV’s Prosperity Pillar programs.

REVENUE BREAKDOWN

The revenue goal for ETV’s Black Empowerment Month events (Empowerment Summit & North Star Celebration) was $35,000. We are happy to announce that ETV exceeded that goal by collecting $38,725 in total revenue! The majority of that revenue was from sponsorships, ticket/table purchases, and vendor/pitch fees, with the remainder being made up of additional donations, ads sales, and silent auction. In total, there were 231 attendees and supporters of our Black History Month events! We still have work to do to raise funding this year to ensure that the next Village Ventures Pitch Competition is fully funded.