Elite Media Invests $100K in Black-Owned Businesses
Black entrepreneurs took center stage as Elite Media awarded $100,000 to five innovative Black-owned businesses through its first-ever “Keep It 100” Pitch Competition.
Held on October 17 at The One Club’s Where Are All the Black People Conference in New York City, the competition celebrated creativity, purpose, and community impact. Harlem-based Elite Media, a Black-owned and women-led advertising agency, funded the entire prize from its own company resources.
Founder and CEO Chris Crawford presented the top prize of $50,000 to Tommy Johnson, founder and CEO of MADE, a verification platform designed to protect and uplift Black creativity. Four other finalists each received $12,500 for their visionary ideas that blend innovation with cultural pride.
Empowering Black Entrepreneurs to Build the Future
The “Keep It 100” Pitch Competition was created to inspire industry leaders to invest in creators who move culture forward. MADE emerged as the winner for its mission to safeguard the creative work of Black innovators while empowering small businesses within the community.
Other standout finalists included Mec Zilla of CrackedVC, a system reshaping traditional venture capital; Morgan Means of Evental, a marketplace helping suppliers monetize and manage event resources; Adam Franklin of Twendi, a media platform spotlighting African and diaspora athletes; and Ayo Abigail of Walk of Same, a jewelry brand merging empowerment with fashion.
Crawford praised the participants for their boldness and creativity, saying, “Today, the community won. Every contestant brought it. Their audacity and ambition were on full display.”
A Movement Rooted in Purpose and Action
The $100,000 competition is part of Elite Media’s ongoing mission to reinvest in the Black community and drive change within the advertising world. The company has already committed over $2 million of its own funds to strengthen Harlem and support creators of color.
“The time for disruption is now—our communities deserve action,” Crawford said. “We are putting our money where our mouth is, challenging others in the industry to do the same.”
By investing directly in creators and entrepreneurs, Elite Media aims to build a future where innovation, equity, and representation thrive side by side. This initiative also encourages advertisers and brands to match Elite’s effort and create real change instead of relying on empty metrics.
Uplifting Culture Through Ownership and Creativity
Elite Media’s competition not only celebrates creativity but also highlights the importance of ownership in shaping culture. Each finalist represents a new generation of thinkers committed to using business as a tool for empowerment.
The success of the “Keep It 100” Pitch Competition marks the beginning of a larger movement within media and advertising—one that centers Black voices, ideas, and businesses. With this milestone, Elite Media continues to redefine what it means to invest in community and creativity.
