The Black Market Street USA (BMS) “Ready, Set, Pitch!” competition deadline runs through March 31.

BMS invites all Alabama businesses and start-up ventures to submit a video pitching their products or services to the masses.

BMS is sponsored by The G.I. Jones Foundation and Levi’s Grace Inc. to help promote Black-owned businesses, while encouraging entrepreneurship and economic growth within communities of color. All eligible videos will be featured on the Black Market Street YouTube channel and promoted on its website and social media platforms.

“By encouraging entrepreneurship and economic growth in traditionally underrepresented communities, we contribute to improving disparities in health care, housing, education and other critical areas,” said Terri Reynolds, co-founder of Levi’s Grace. “The indirect outcomes of economic empowerment, particularly in maternal and infant health, are central to the mission of Levi’s Grace.”

To qualify for the competition, business owners must meet the following criteria:

• Videos must be 90 seconds or less.
• The use of profanity is prohibited, and no copyrighted content can be used.
• The pitch must be focused on a business, product, service and/or brand.
• Additional details can be found at blackmarketstreet.org.

Business owners are encouraged to be as creative as possible.

The top three winners will be awarded a cash prize of $2,000, $1,000 and $500 respectively. The top 10 entries will have the opportunity to participate in The G.I. Jones Foundation Small Business Bootcamp, where they will learn best practices for growing their companies and will pitch their business to potential angel investors.

The top 20 pitch videos will be eligible for additional sponsored promotion of their businesses. All pitches must be submitted to info@blackmarketstreet.org by March 31, 2021.

Black Market Street USA is a platform for Alabama-based, Black-owned businesses to showcase their products or services to their neighbors and beyond. BMS is committed to promoting Alabama’s Black entrepreneurs and minority-owned businesses by empowering them to grow their companies and providing them with the knowledge, role models and mentors to reach their maximum potential.