11/21/2025
Celebrating Our Fall 2025 Graduates and Pitch Competitors
Last night reminded me why this work matters.
We celebrated 40 graduates of our 6-week RFP Training Program—a group of entrepreneurs who showed up week after week, pushed through the complex world of procurement, and committed to strengthening their businesses from the inside out.
We also witnessed 12 incredible pitch participants take the stage with confidence, clarity, and courage. Their ideas and preparation were evident, and we are proud of each one of them.
A special thank you to our prize sponsors, Jason Pritt on behalf of BankUnited, Jill Lanigan on behalf of Song + Associates, Riviera Beach Community Redvelopment Agency for believing in small business development and investing in our participants’ next steps.
To the graduates:
Your dedication shows. Many of you entered this program unsure about the RFP process, and you are leaving with a toolkit, a strategy, and a new level of confidence. I hope you feel proud of yourselves—because we certainly are.
To the pitch participants:
Thank you for trusting the process and sharing your vision with the community. Your growth was visible, your stories were powerful, and we look forward to seeing where this momentum takes you.
To the City of Riviera Beach leadership and procurement team:
Your ongoing partnership makes this possible. Thank you for continuing to champion opportunities for small and local businesses.
This cohort has set a new standard, and we are excited for what’s ahead as we prepare for the 2026 sessions.
Here's to growth, readiness, and the entrepreneurs who are boldly stepping forward.
Thank you to our pitch completion judges: Hope Perez BankUnited; Alfonso Hernandez, Dominique Ricketts MBA, Thais R. Sullivan, Rem,o.na' Rey and Aundra Lowe, MS.
Congratulations to Our Pitch Prize Winners!
1st Place: Dr. Dale Laing-Hall, DBA, MS-HRM, SHRM-CP., Dale Reports
2nd Place: Bill Buie, PMP, Elite Mindful Health, PLLC
3rd Place: Gwendolyn Cowan, Psalms 127:3 Academy
Bonus Prize Winners
Kristin Covel, Coastal Janitorial Services– Most Responsive RFP Submission
Tahrie Anderson and Natalie Anderson, 12:48 LLC - Most Engaged Program Participant
Host: City of Riviera Beach CRA
Workshop Facilitators: Roseline Joseph, PMI-PMP®, The Answer Management Services & Pamela Y. Toussaint, MBA, The Ultimate Image Coach and Leadership Academy