FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Paulana Lamonier of Black People Will Swim Wins $5,000 Grand Prize at Women’s History Month Celebration
Valley Stream, NY – HerSuiteSpot, in partnership with National Grid and Scroobious, concluded its Women’s History Month Celebration with the HerRise Pitch Contest. The contest aimed to provide women of color entrepreneurs with access to capital and featured a diverse group of finalists from various sectors. Paulana Lamonier, founder of Black People Will Swim, won the $5,000 grand prize, while the runner-ups each received a $500 grant for their small businesses.
The Women’s History Month Celebration and HerRise Pitch Contest highlighted the important role women of color play in entrepreneurship and the need to provide access to capital. Founder Marsha Guerrier stated, “Providing women of color entrepreneurs with access to capital is essential to closing the wealth gap and building more equitable communities. We are grateful for our partners National Grid and Scroobious for joining us in our mission to strengthen the economic success of the small business community.”
Paulana Lamonier, founder of Black People Will Swim, created her purpose-driven organization to smash the stereotype that Black people don’t swim. Black People Will Swim uses the acronym F.A.C.E. (Fun, Awareness, Community, Education) to make swimming fun while building awareness, creating community, and providing education. Lamonier expressed her gratitude for the opportunity, saying, “Winning the HerRise Pitch Contest is a significant milestone for Black People Will Swim. The prize money will enable us to expand our programs and make an even bigger impact on our mission to smash the stereotype that Black people don’t swim.”
The HerRise Pitch Contest had a tough competition, but the runner-ups showcased remarkable businesses and visions. Liana Robinson, CEO of Your Own Uniqueness, brought her 25 years of experience as a hair stylist and makeup artist to develop Hair & Wellness Solutions Y.O.U, which focuses on combating hair loss through education, detoxing and dietary programs, and natural hair care products. Her step-by-step books have been a guide for clients to achieve healthier hair and scalp. Lauren Wells, Founder of Hervival, is a Certified Digestive Health Coach with over 20 years of experience in the wellness and healthcare field. Hervival is a Holistic Wellness and Soul-Care Company that offers health, mental, and spiritual wellness support and services through corporate workshops, 1-on-1 and group coaching, and a wellness accountability membership subscription via mobile app.
Melanie Littlejohn, Vice President at National Grid, delivered an inspiring keynote speech congratulating the pitch contestants for making it this far. Littlejohn spoke about the importance of empowering women of color entrepreneurs, saying, “We need to support and invest in the brilliant minds of women of color entrepreneurs who are changing the world.”
Contact: Marsha Guerrier 917-940-4395 – info @ hersuitespot dot com
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ABOUT HERSUITESPOT
HerSuiteSpot is a digital platform and private network for women of color advancing as leaders and entrepreneurs. created for women of color by women of color we provide women and girls with the resources they need to advance their economic success. HerSuiteSpot empowers these entrepreneurs to achieve business success through connection, community, coaching and capital with their 4 pillars of success, mindset, money, marketing and media.
For more information, please visit our website, follow us on Twitter.
ABOUT NATIONAL GRID
National Grid (NYSE: NGG) is an electricity, natural gas, and clean energy delivery company serving more than 20 million people through our networks in New York and Massachusetts. National Grid is transforming our electricity and natural gas networks with smarter, cleaner, and more resilient energy solutions to meet the goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions. As part of our commitment to a clean energy future, National Grid is a Principal Partner for COP26, the United Nation’s November 2021 global climate summit.
For more information, please visit our website, follow us on Twitter, watch us on YouTube, like us on Facebook, and find our photos on Instagram.
ABOUT SCROOBIOUS
Scroobious’ mission is to create more investable founders and help investors discover them through a hyper-curated connection platform. Founders who have completed our Pitch it Plan™ program have raised multiple rounds of capital, become publicly listed, and gained acceptance into prestigious accelerators like Y Combinator, Techstars, Visible Hands, Grid110, XRC Labs, and more.
For more information, please visit our website, follow us on Twitter.