JobsFirstNYC was thrilled to host our third annual My City, My Community Social Impact Pitch Competition November 2023 at the FPWA. With representation from the Bronx, Brooklyn, and Queens, the event showcased the immense wealth of young talent within our city. The pitch competition is part of a broader mission for JobsFirstNYC, to continue to center youth voice in our work and to highlight effective practices to foster young adult entrepreneurship.

The competition featured pitch presentations from five exceptional winners, each with a unique vision for driving positive change in their communities. These young adults, aged 15-24, shared innovative solutions to address issues such as gun violence, lack of diverse media representation, and food deserts. Many of them have already taken tangible steps to execute on their visions, and are now set up to build on the exciting work with extra funding (all presenters received a cash prize)–and a broader network. 

A little more about this year’s winners…

Arnold Ludd shared the important work he has been doing with his nonprofit Jiggabite Gloves Up, Guns Down gun violence prevention program which provides free boxing programs to youth across the city. He’s already partnered with young development groups like Inspiring Minds, the NYC Department of Youth and Community Development and My Brother’s Keeper. Being further along in the development of his initiative, Arnold could share insights from his early years as a social entrepreneur. “I’m happy I’m at the point where I’m a success story and can pass the torch and be an inspiration to others coming up behind me,” Arnold told JobsFirstNYC. 

Emily Munoz sought to address inequities in education through her mentorship program Becoming Greatness. The program, which follows a “by students for students” approach, would be implemented in schools from historically under-resourced communities. Juniors and seniors, trained through a social justice lens, would lead mentorship groups for younger students, receiving funding to host guest lectures, take trips and, of course, to provide snacks. For Emily, the best part of the event was “to be in a room of so many creatives and brilliant minds…I got to see how my peers from across the city will tackle different social issues in ways I could’ve never possibly imagined.” 

Anthony Venson pitched his solution Victory Chess Club to provide more engaging educational activities for young people in his community. He explained how learning chess is more than just playing a game, it’s a tool for developing critical thinking and has been key to his personal growth.

Wandley Charles and Abdul Abogun wowed the audience with images from their comic book series, Code of Deviants, which features an all-black cast of well-developed, relatable characters. They plan to use the Pitch Competition funds to write a sequel to their first comic book (which has made them $500 in profits already), and further their mission to bring more diverse representation to the comic book world. 

Lastly, Shyanne Matthews and Rianna Thakoorydal brought the energy with an interactive presentation on their solution: In the Pink Produce. In the Pink Produce is leading the charge to tackle the food desert crisis in Canarsie, New York, by harnessing the power of hydroponics to make healthy and affordable food accessible right in their community. The team’s innovative solution earned them first place and the grand prize of $2,000 to continue to grow their social enterprise. 

Judges Madison Bryant-Wagstaff, Justin Weiss, and Stephanie Tossas—all inspiring young change-makers in their own right—were responsible for deliberating on the event’s winners. They followed up on each presentation with thought-provoking insights and questions for the finalists. Justin shared with the JobsFirstNYC team that he was “incredibly impressed with each finalist’s creativity, professionalism, and preparedness. Their commitment to tackling some of the most pressing issues of the day is inspiring and gives me hope for the future.”

In addition to the judges’ choices, the audience had the opportunity to voice their support for their favorite project. The audience favorite, Jiggabyte, received an extra $500 prize.

In addition to the finalists’ presentations, a highlight of the event was the guest appearance by Bronx Council Member Pierina Sanchez. Council Member Sanchez delivered a special message to the audience about her path to civil service. She reflected on how she “built her car” step by step, referring to how she built herself through various education, work and life experiences–all of which enable her to perform as a policymaker today. Council Member Sanchez also emphasized the potential that lies within each individual to drive positive change within our communities. 

The My City, My Community Social Impact Pitch Competition is not just a contest but a celebration of innovation, community, and the power of young voices. Each year, it showcases the remarkable potential within our city and leaves a lasting impression on all in attendance. Congratulations to all the finalists and winners who are making a difference in their communities—we can’t wait to see what these young folks have in store in the years to come. For more winning ideas check out the pitches from 2021 and 2022, and keep an eye out for the application for the 2024 Pitch Competition.