FSC First Team Stands with Pitch Competition Winners
In every era of progress, there are leaders whose vision and resolve shape the future. Today, the call is clear: our economy needs champions who are passionate about creating pathways of opportunity for Black entrepreneurs.
Dawn R. Medley, President & CEO of FSC First, is a leader who understands that unlocking capital, fostering innovation, and investing in Black-owned businesses is a movement toward justice, equity, and wealth. As a member of the African American Alliance of CDFI CEOs (The Alliance), FSC First supports small business owners with 12 distinct loan products—delivering innovative, inclusive financing solutions that empower entrepreneurs and create clear pathways to growth for underrepresented and underserved communities.
Closing Gaps: “0 to 100” Accelerator Program
Black entrepreneurs often lack access to strong financial documentation, operational tools, or a reliable internal team. FSC First created the “0 to 100” Accelerator Program to close those gaps, offering structure, accountability, and training that enables growth-stage entrepreneurs to scale successfully and sustainably. Since 2023, FSC First has partnered with M&T Bank to host the 8-week program’s English-language cohort, awarding $10,000 in prizes to three outstanding business owners and reflecting a shared commitment to providing local entrepreneurs with the capital, guidance, and connections they need to succeed.
On June 18, 2025, a live pitch event and graduation celebration was hosted at 21st Century Expo in Hyattsville, MD—a venue owned by a former FSC First client and current participant. That full-circle moment captured the true spirit of the program: sparking business growth, reinvesting in the community, and creating lasting economic impact.
Pathway to Participation in the Program
Applicants, managed through M&T Bank, had to meet specific eligibility criteria:
- Business must be located in Prince George’s County
- Must be in good standing with the State of Maryland
- Must have been operating for at least two years
- Must have earned $100,000+ in annual revenue (new criteria for 2025)
Spanning industries such as technology, arts and entertainment, childcare, and tourism, the diverse group of entrepreneurs showcased strong potential and demand but needed structure and support to scale their businesses to the next level.
The five finalists that advanced to the final pitch competition had three minutes each to pitch and two minutes for the judges to conduct a Q&A session. The judging panel (a successful business owner, a FSC First business development associate, and M&T Bank senior executive) offered feedback and encouragement to help participants refine their ideas and communication, while evaluating each pitch on clarity, viability, community impact, and presentation quality.
The 2025 “0 to 100” Small Business Accelerator Pitch Competition winners were:
- Tiyana Robinson, Beauty Mogul International, LLC – $5,000 and an additional $1,000 grant to support marketing efforts and technology enhancements
- Dominyece Gregory, Tuft’n Up DC LLC – $3,000
- Josei Harris, Halema Inc – $2,000
The winners stood out for their strategic vision, creativity, and readiness to scale while keeping community impact at the core of their work. One winner aims to further develop a new software feature, while another will revamp their website and strengthen marketing efforts.
“The most valuable part of the program was having access to our mentors,” said Tiyana Robinson, Founder of Beauty Mogul International, LLC. “Every single session, I walked away with something new. This isn’t my first business—I’ve already scaled a company to seven figures—but it is my first time building a software business. Even with my experience, I still learned so much through this program. The quality of education was excellent, and the intimate group setting allowed us to connect, ask questions, and get real answers when we needed them. If I had to sum up the program in one word, it would be access—and I deeply appreciate that.”
Beyond financial prizes, participants received leadership coaching to strengthen mindset and strategic planning, a professional content day with FSC First’s team capturing business photos and videos for free, and exclusive loan incentives from Medley, making it easier for participants to access capital.
Lasting Impact in Prince George’s County
Extending its impact beyond the accelerator, FSC First equips entrepreneurs with capital, advisory services, and educational programming created to support small business growth. From 2022 and 2025, FSC First has supported 5,252 businesses, facilitated 259 technical assistance programs, and dedicated 391 hours of personalized coaching to help entrepreneurs grow and thrive.
For entrepreneurs looking to grow their business, FSC First shares this inspirational message: Start where you are. Build your team. And don’t try to do it alone. There are a range of services individuals can stay engaged with to support their journey:
- Ongoing loan programs
- One-on-one business advising
- Workshops and technical assistance sessions
- New training opportunities announced via FSC First’s website and newsletter
- The Commercial Line of Credit (LOC) that provides accessible capital to help small businesses grow
The accelerator program stands as a powerful example of The Alliance’s mission to build bridges to economic stability and expand Black wealth.
Learn more on how FSC First is building a stronger, more inclusive small business ecosystem in Prince George’s County at fscfirst.com.
