The WBENC Women of Color Incubator is a premier program for aspiring entrepreneurs at Historically Black Colleges and Universities, offering the resources, community, and support needed to turn ideas into thriving ventures. This transformative program goes beyond traditional support, fostering creativity, resilience, and ambition while inspiring future innovators.
The curriculum guides participants through every stage of their entrepreneurial journey, from refining ideas and mastering financial strategies to building prototypes and launching ventures. The program culminated in an exciting Pitch Competition, awarding seed capital and all-expenses-paid trips to the 2025 WBENC National Conference in New Orleans, connecting winners with a network of over 4,000 attendees.
The WOC Incubator Pitch Competition at North Carolina A&T State University, brought to you by ActOne Group and Amazon, was a dynamic showcase of the university’s brightest entrepreneurial talent. We are excited to highlight the three outstanding winners in this article and explore their innovative business ventures.
Pitch Competition Award Winner: Jada Foote│ Scholar World
Scholar World is a business dedicated to empowering students by helping them secure scholarships, alleviating the financial burden of college costs and student loan debt. Through engaging presentations for high school students, we emphasize the importance of academic performance and proactive scholarship applications, which can significantly impact their college journeys. Our resources include an ebook featuring over 100 full-ride scholarships and a monthly scholarship list with over $10,000 in funding opportunities, providing students with the tools they need to achieve their educational goals affordably.
Q: What inspired you to start your business?
As a first-generation college student and second-generation American, I grew up in a community where attending college was uncommon. I knew I wanted to create a different path for my family and community. After participating in an amazing program called The College Planning Cohort, I gained the tools to navigate the college application process, which opened doors for my future. Motivated by this experience, I decided to help others by starting an Instagram page, sharing one scholarship I found every day to support my community in pursuing higher education and financial freedom.
Q: What challenges are you facing building your business, and how are you overcoming them?
One of the biggest challenges I’ve faced is deciding how to grow my business. Should I continue focusing on helping high school and undergraduate students, or expand to support graduate students as well? I’m addressing this by conducting research, seeking feedback from my audience, and exploring opportunities to scale strategically while staying true to my mission of alleviating the financial burden of education.
Q: How has being part of the WOC Incubator influenced your approach to entrepreneurship and innovation?
The WOC Incubator has been instrumental in shaping my approach to entrepreneurship and innovation. Through this amazing program, I’ve learned new strategies for business growth, marketing, and effectively reaching my target audience. It’s provided me with valuable tools and insights that have helped refine my vision and take actionable steps toward expanding Scholar World’s impact.
Q: What key elements do you think made your pitch stand out?
I believe the factual information in my pitch stood out the most. Highlighting how many students drop out due to overwhelming student loan debt and presenting a clear solution to change that statistic resonated strongly with my audience.
My passion for making education accessible and affordable also helped create a compelling narrative that emphasized the importance of Scholar World’s mission.
Business Innovation Winner: Sydnee Harris-Ratliff │ Silky Treats
I have always had an entrepreneurial spirit. I was always the kid in middle school through high school who was selling snacks or desserts that I made. Silky Treats began in 2021 as a chocolate-covered strawberry business during Covid, which then grew into a dessert business that now makes strawberry shortcake, cookies, specialty chocolate-covered treats, and more. As I continue to think about what Silky Treats should become, I think about the lack of delicious protein treats on the market and how I can take my love for entrepreneurship and baking to create something that changes the market.
Q: What inspired you to start your business?
What has inspired me to create protein Silky Treats is my personal health journey in high school. As I dedicated myself to working out five times a week and increasing my protein intake, I noticed a significant gap in the market for protein options that not only tasted delicious but also had a pleasing texture and were made with clean, high-quality ingredients. This realization fueled my passion to develop protein Silky Treats that not only cater to the needs of health-conscious individuals like myself but also provide a satisfying and indulgent snack option for everyone.
Q: What key lessons did you learn from the mentors and peers you met during the WOC Incubator?
One of the most valuable lessons I took away from my experience at the WOC Incubator was the crucial importance of identifying and understanding my target audience. By gaining insights into the needs, preferences, and desires of my customers, I can effectively differentiate my products or services from those of my competitors.
Moreover, I found immense value in the collaborative environment of the WOC Incubator, where I had the opportunity to engage with other talented and innovative women entrepreneurs. The exchange of ideas and feedback within my cohort was incredibly enriching, as each member brought their own unique perspectives and insights to the table.
By collectively sharing our experiences and expertise, we were able to inspire and support one another, fostering a dynamic environment that encouraged growth and creativity. The collaborative spirit of the group allowed us to build upon each other’s ideas, leading to a collective synergy that propelled us all forward on our entrepreneurial journeys.
Q: Where do you see yourself in one year? How about 5 years?
In one year, I see myself completing the development of my protein Silky Treats and preparing to launch them in the market. I envision having a strong marketing team that has created effective campaigns to help my products sell quickly. Additionally, I see myself entering my junior year of college and beginning to plan for life after graduation. This includes identifying potential companies to intern with over the summer and exploring the possibility of securing a long-term position with one of them.
In 5 years, I see myself having already graduated and working for a company that helps me to become a better entrepreneur. I also envision my protein Silky Treats being successfully available in grocery stores like Whole Foods, Sprouts, Trader Joe’s, and many other stores, as well as creating a community and selling on TikTok Shop. Additionally, I see myself serving in the Air Force military. Coming from a military family, it is something I would like to pursue as well.
Q: How has being part of the WOC Incubator influenced your approach to entrepreneurship and innovation? 
One of the most valuable lessons I have learned from this incubator is the unwavering support and dedication of a team of individuals who are eager to help you succeed. Whether you are in the ideation stage or already have an established business, there are individuals who are genuinely invested in seeing you thrive and achieve success as a Black woman entrepreneur. This realization has been a source of inspiration and motivation for me, as it reinforces the idea that I am not alone in my entrepreneurial journey and that there are people who are rooting for my success.
Moreover, participating in this incubator has underscored the importance of community and collaboration in building a successful business. The emphasis on working together, sharing ideas, and leveraging the collective knowledge and expertise of fellow entrepreneurs has been instrumental in shaping my approach to entrepreneurship. The exchange of perspectives, feedback, and insights within this collaborative environment has not only broadened my horizons but has also provided me with a valuable support system that is essential for navigating the challenges and complexities of entrepreneurship.
Audience Choice: Zamariya Clemons│ VOW
Village of Women (VOW) is a year-long youth development program that promotes sisterhood, individuality, global readiness, and creativity. The program runs from August to May, meeting on the first Friday and third Saturday of each month. During these meetings, participants have the opportunity to meet a minority woman and explore her career through a simulated activity or learn a valuable life skill. In addition to the school year program, VOW offers a dynamic summer camp where girls engage in interactive activities designed to teach practical skills like financial literacy, communication, and problem-solving, all while exploring various career paths. At the summer camp, participants can explore up to 17 different careers in just one week, providing them with broad exposure to diverse professional fields.
Q: What inspired you to start your business?
Village of Women (VOW) is a lifelong empowerment hub for young girls with a mission to create an atmosphere that fosters sisterhood, individuality, global readiness, and creativity. I founded VOW in 2022 while I was a Senior Sociology student at North Carolina A&T. The idea came to me as I observed the needs of the young people I worked with as a long-term substitute teacher and director of a before-and-after-school enrichment program. Through my relationships with upperclassmen at an elementary school, I learned about the struggles they faced at home and in their community, which inspired me to take action.
In March 2022, I launched VOW in the clubhouse of my student apartment. Since then, the organization has impacted and inspired over 100 girls. One of our standout initiatives is a simulation summer camp program that teaches real-world skills through play.
Q: What advice would you give to other female founders just starting their business?
My advice to other female founders just starting their business is to be authentic in your creation and genuine in your delivery. No one will understand your dreams or your direction as deeply as you do, so stay confident and unapologetic about your goals.
Surround yourself with a supportive network of mentors, peers, and advisors who can guide and uplift you through challenges. However, don’t rely solely on your friends or close peers for support or as your audience; they won’t be the ones to make your business thrive. Instead, focus on finding and connecting with your true audience the people who genuinely value what you offer and will help propel your vision forward.
Q: What was the biggest risk you took in your pitch, and how did it pay off? 
One of the biggest risks I took in my pitch was choosing to tell my story organically rather than relying on learning a scripted version. I believe that no one knows my story better than I do, and sharing it authentically would resonate more deeply with the audience. This approach paid off tremendously, as the audience connected with my sincerity and passion, ultimately leading to us winning the Audience Choice Award. It reinforced the importance of staying true to myself and trusting my voice when sharing my vision.
Q: What’s next for you and your business?
Upon my graduation in the spring, my goal is to turn Village of Women (VOW) into my full time profession. Through the years I’ve discovered a passion for youth development, and I believe in investing in my own vision rather than growing someone else’s business. I want to grow VOW into a thriving organization that continues to empower and uplift young girls.
The next steps for VOW is to focus on growth and sustainability, with a clear vision to expand our reach and address the evolving needs of the girls we serve. A key priority is transitioning VOW from its initial shared location to a dedicated space that can host more programs, workshops, and events, offering a consistent and inspiring environment. Strengthening partnerships with local schools, businesses, and community organizations is also essential to accessing valuable resources, guest speakers, and opportunities for community engagement.
To support these efforts, I am exploring grants, sponsorships, and crowdfunding to secure the financial resources needed to sustain and expand VOW while keeping our programs accessible. Looking ahead, I aim to establish VOW chapters in other communities, spreading our mission of empowerment, sisterhood, and creativity far and wide. My vision is to make VOW a lasting force in youth development, transforming lives and inspiring future generations.
