The Friends of John H. Johnson Museum congratulates the winners of the 2025 John H. Johnson Day Youth Business Pitch Competition held recently in Arkansas City.
Winners were:
First place — Jada McKinzie with Jada’s Touch of Dumas, who does braids. She won $500.
Second place — Cassidy Slater with Cassidy’s Sweet Collection of Dermott, who sells treats. She won $250.
“It was a rewarding experience and a joy to watch our youth overcome their fears and confidently present their business ideas before a panel of five outstanding judges,” a spokesman said.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
The judges were author, businessman and former Razorback/NBA Champion Sidney Moncrief; author and former Walmart executive Excell LaFayette; Eric Nelson, president and CEO of Nelson Intelligence Solutions; Kat Daniels, owner of Arkansas Originals; and Charles Swopes, owner of C&T Country Store in Kelso.
Each judge provided feedback and words of encouragement that inspired the participants, according to the news release.
The organizers thanked the competition sponsors Arkansas Originals and Nelson Intelligence Solutions.