Pitch Competition and Fireside Chat Conclude Entrepreneurship Week at Howard University and PNC National Center for Entrepreneurship

The Howard University and PNC National Center for Entrepreneurship recently concluded their second annual entrepreneurship festival with a fireside chat featuring James Rhee and Tina Byles Williams. Rhee, the John H. Johnson Endowed Chair for Entrepreneurship, is known for transforming Ashley Stewart from near bankruptcy to a successful sales powerhouse. He emphasized the importance of personal relationships and execution in the business world, drawing parallels to running a lemonade stand as a child. Rhee also shared insights from his upcoming book, “red helicopter – a parable for our times: lead change with kindness (plus a little math),” set to release on April 9.

On the other hand, Tina Byles Williams, founder, CEO, and CIO of Xponance, a $17 billion asset management and investment firm, shared her journey as a Jamaican immigrant in the finance industry in the 1990s. Her experiences shaped her perspective on leadership and inspired the creation of Xponance, a company dedicated to empowering people of color and women in finance. Today, Xponance stands as the largest diverse-owned asset management company in the United States.

During the discussion, Williams highlighted the importance of starting a business with the intention of improving people’s lives rather than solely focusing on making money. She emphasized the significance of education and building relationships to enhance one’s ability to execute ideas successfully. As a Howard University alumna, Williams stressed the value of the community and support system that fellow students provide on the entrepreneurial journey.

The festival also recognized the winners of the fifth annual HU Empower Business Pitch competition, Oluwaseun Adeyeye and Jayson Johnson, founders of Tree Technologies. The duo, both engineering majors at Howard University, received $20,000 in funding for their innovative app aimed at improving student life on campus. The Tree app consolidates information about the university, including study locations, dining halls, campus news, and features an AI bot to assist students in navigating the campus.

Adeyeye and Johnson expressed their vision of expanding the Tree app to other universities, starting with HBCUs, to address common challenges faced by students. The funding received will be utilized to secure Amazon Web Services and address legal considerations for the app. The founders acknowledged the effort required to run a business, emphasizing the importance of preparation and dedication in entrepreneurship.

Additionally, the PNC National Center recognized its HBCU Startup Scholars, a cohort of HBCU student entrepreneurs from various institutions across the country. The program aims to support and nurture the entrepreneurial spirit among students, providing them with resources and mentorship to help bring their business ideas to fruition.

In conclusion, the entrepreneurship festival at Howard University showcased the success stories of James Rhee and Tina Byles Williams, inspiring students to pursue their entrepreneurial dreams with passion, purpose, and a commitment to making a positive impact on society. The event not only celebrated innovation and creativity but also highlighted the importance of education, community support, and perseverance in the world of entrepreneurship.