Black entrepreneurs claim grant money

Three Black Women Entrepreneurs receive $25,000 – $75,000 cash grants and business coaching at the 2023 ESSENCE Festival of Culture™ Presented by Coca-Cola ®

NEW YORK-The New Voices Foundation is proud to announce the winners of the New Voices $150,000 POWER PITCH sponsored by the Entergy Charitable Foundation.

Three Black women entrepreneurs pitched on the Global Black Economic Forum Stage at the ESSENCE
Festival of Culture™ presented by Coca-Cola ® on Saturday, July 1st for a $75,000 grant, $50,000 grant,
and $25,000 grant and business coaching.

The Foundation has held many pitch competitions virtually and in-person around the country since July
2018, providing more than $1,250,000 in non-dilutive capital and over $650,000 of supportive services
to pitch entrepreneurs. Entergy’s sponsorship is part of a $250,000 donation from the Entergy
Charitable Foundation to support the work of the New Voices Foundation in expanding economic
opportunities for entrepreneurs of color.

“New Voices Foundation advances economic equity by closing gaps in access to capital, revenue,
entrepreneurial education, and networking opportunities. Our growing and diverse ecosystem allows us
to positively impact Black women-owned businesses as we disrupt the status quo in wealth generation,”
said Richelyna Hall, Chief Impact Officer of New Voices Foundation.

The Foundation was thrilled to return to New Orleans, and partner with Entergy at the ESSENCE Festival
of Culture™ presented by Coca-Cola to support these growing Black women-owned companies and their
founders through the New Voices $150,000 POWER PITCH.

“Entergy is committed to promoting diversity and inclusion and we recognize the importance of
supporting underrepresented female entrepreneurs,” said Deanna Rodriguez, president and CEO of
Entergy New Orleans. “This grant will provide much-needed resources to help deserving, women-owned
black-owned businesses thrive and contribute to the growth of our community. We are proud to be a
part of their journey and look forward to seeing their continued success.”

The winners are:

$75,000: Brooke Hill, Co-Founder & CEO, Swella Beauty – Over 13 million Black women in America lack
access to reliable quality braid services. Unlike other demographics with designated salon chains that
provide efficient standard services, Black women do not have this convenience. Swella solves the
fragmented, time-consuming, antiquated process of receiving braids by providing a one-stop shop for all
things hair braiding, integrating patent-pending technology and streamlined processes to deliver a
premium salon experience.

$50,000: Felicia Jackson, CEO/President, CPRWrap – CPRWrap is a disposable CPR template that
addresses responder hesitation by having an easy-to-use template with clear, numbered instructions, a
built-in, one-way breathing barrier, and visual hand placements that give the victim the best chance that
a bystander might have the confidence to provide effective, immediate care.

$25,000: Mabel & Shaira Frias, Co-Founders, LUNA MAGIC – LUNA MAGIC is a fast-growing indie beauty
& lifestyle brand founded by sisters Mabel and Shaira Frías. By combining their passions for beauty and
lifestyle, the Frias Sisters created a vibrant brand that celebrates their mutual love for their multicultural
heritage, culture, and music—in living color. LUNA MAGIC is distributed nationwide at Target, CVS, and
Walmart retail stores.
Source: Business Wire/Black PR Wire