Philander Smith University, Southern University, and A&M College celebrated a major victory after their students tied for first place at the sixth annual Moguls in the Making Entrepreneurial Pitch competition.
Hosted by Ally Financial and the Thurgood Marshall College Fund, the competition brought together 50 students from HBCUs to pitch innovative business ideas designed to improve Detroit’s economy. The event, held from October 2-6, awarded over $200,000 in scholarships and prizes to the participants, with the winners each receiving a $20,000 scholarship and a guaranteed internship.
The winning teams from Philander Smith and Southern University impressed the judges with two groundbreaking ideas. Philander Smith’s team developed “Little Genius,” an AI-powered platform aimed at K-5 students that offers personalized learning in literacy, numeracy, and science. Southern University’s team presented the “Electric Meets Opportunity” app, which focuses on providing affordable access to clean energy vehicles for low-income communities.
Reggie Willis, chief diversity officer at Ally Financial, stated in a press release, “These Moguls stand out among their peers—they’re hungry for new experiences, to learn about potential career paths, and to make a big impact in the community.” He also emphasized the students’ insightful ideas and rapid growth during the competition.
The program featured a five-day experience in Detroit, where students toured the city, learned about its history, and brainstormed solutions to its economic challenges. Stops included iconic locations such as the Motown Museum and Orchestra Hall. In addition to their tours, participants engaged in workshops, casual discussions, and mentorship opportunities before pitching their business plans to a panel of judges.
Hampton University claimed second place, winning $10,000 scholarships for each team member with their “Gov On the Go” project, while Spelman College took third place with the “D.O.P.E. Initiative,” receiving $5,000 scholarships for their work on financial inclusion.
Natalie Brown, senior director of corporate citizenship at Ally Financial, highlighted the ongoing commitment of Moguls in the Making to increase social capital for HBCU students. “We’ve been amazed by each team’s ingenuity and creativity, time and again,” she said.
Viewers of The Jennifer Hudson Show are also in for a treat, as a surprise connected to the competition will be revealed on the October 25th episode.
This year’s event added to a legacy of supporting HBCU students and preparing them to lead future industries, and the success of students from Philander Smith and Southern University further solidified the program’s impact.
The full list of student winners is below:
First Place: Philander Smith University
Their idea, Little Genius, is an AI-powered platform for K-5 students providing personalized learning to enhance literacy, numeracy, and science. The platform uses AI to create unique learning pathways that meet the needs of all students on an individual basis. Little Genius also includes gamified interactive assessments with voice recognition and offline functionality.
- Kenna Agbugba, a junior computer science student from Abuja, Nigeria
- Angel Balogun, a sophomore computer science student from Lagos, Nigeria
- Zara Duruji, a sophomore computer science student from Abuja, Nigeria
- Jennifer Obinwanne, a sophomore computer science student from Lagos, Nigeria
- James Owolabi, a senior computer science student from Abuja, Nigeria
First Place: Southern University and A&M College
Their Electric Meets Opportunity app revolutionizes transportation for low-income communities by providing affordable, eco-friendly access to clean energy vehicles. Designed for seamless convenience, it empowers drivers and passengers to reach essential destinations like work and healthcare, all while tapping into the future of smart, sustainable mobility.
- Megan Abraham, a senior marketing student from Baton Rouge, La.
- Taylor Curtis, senior elementary education student from Houston
- Jazmon DeRousselle, senior mass communications student from Houston
- Rashard Grace, senior computer science student from Madison, Miss.
- Nalone Sumo, senior finance student from Baton Rouge, La.
Second Place: Hampton University, $10,000 scholarships for each student.
The team’s Gov On the Go project addresses the lack of access to public services and job opportunities in Detroit’s underserved communities by engaging directly with residents, creating personalized pathways, and tracking success to drive economic mobility and reduce poverty. They plan to expand efforts through targeted outreach, adding resources like more vehicles and broader initiatives to maximize impact.
- Chelsea Agyei, junior biochemistry student from Virginia Beach, Va.
- Kiana Bernard, senior strategic communication student from Cincinnati, Ohio
- Christin Fluellen, a junior journalism student from Detroit
- Braeden Lessane, sophomore business administration student from Winston Salem, N.C.
- L. Ceri Mundrati, a sophomore journalism student from Charlotte, N.C.
Third Place: Spelman College, $5,000 scholarships for each student.
The D.O.P.E. Initiative is a mission-driven credit union that aims to provide access to capital for Detroit residents who have been historically underserved by financial institutions. While offering many of the traditional services offered by a credit union, the D.O.P.E. Initiative will focus primarily on under-serviced individuals in the housing market.
- Awah Asangwe, a junior economics and political science student from Kansas City, Mo.
- Madison Corzine, a sophomore political science student from Ft. Worth, Texas
- Dominique Preston, sophomore comparative women’s studies student from Detroit
- Wynter Stokes, a senior economics student from Detroit
- Symone Thompson, a senior political science student from Tallahassee, Fla.