From Curriculum to Crowning: Reliving The Boost Pad's Electrifying Cohort 11 Pitch Night!

Mark Babaran • November 26, 2025

Charlotte, NC – The air was buzzing with anticipation as The Boost Pad culminated months of hard work, mentorship, and entrepreneurial growth at its Cohort 11 Pitch Night on Wednesday, November 19, 2025, hosted by the Do Greater Foundation. This wasn't just an event; it was a celebration of innovation, resilience, and the immense power of community in fostering the next generation of business leaders.


The Journey of Dedication

The road to the Pitch Night stage (Week 14) was a rigorous, structured journey. The progress and dedication shown by our founders throughout the program were significant and did not go unnoticed. The momentum culminated in Week 13's intensive online Pitch Preparation Session, where every founder delivered their deck and received specialized, constructive feedback from our leadership team.


This session was designed not just to prepare the top five for the upcoming live contest, but to strategically equip all Cohort 11 participants—including the finalists and the rest of the cohort—for future high-stakes opportunities, such as introducing their companies to investors, securing grants, and forming key partnerships.


This valuable session also served as the platform for the Best Pitch Deck Award deliberation—a $500 recognition created to honor outstanding strategic presentation across the entire cohort. Leading up to the live event, our social media channels built excitement by celebrating the "unlocking" of each of the five finalists.


The Grand Finale Unfolds

The energy was palpable as the evening began. Our MC, Charles Kearse, set a high bar, immediately leading into a powerful moment of entrepreneurial inspiration. Christopher Dennis of Fix Housing Solutions kicked off the speaking segment, sharing critical insights on how founders must build housing solutions from the ground up, starting with a strong foundational vision.


Then came the moment everyone awaited: The Pitch Contest! Our five finalists—Marcus Wade, Meka Walker, Chris Valada, Cassandra Taylor, and Junior Bernard—took the stage, delivering dynamic 5-minute presentations on their visions.


Following the pitches, the founders faced a rigorous Q&A round from our distinguished Judges Panel: Christopher Dennis (Fix Housing Solutions), Lakesha Womack (ASPIRE Community Capital), and Sherry Robinson (Pinnacle Economic Empowerment Center). While the judges deliberated, Julius Edwards from the City of Charlotte delivered an inspiring special address, focusing on how strong leadership within an individual entrepreneur is the foundation for broader community and economic impact.


The True Triumph: Graduation and Awards

The excitement of the competition was matched only by the solemn pride of the graduation ceremony. The journey through Cohort 11 was demanding, requiring immense dedication from every founder.


We are profoundly proud of this cohort. The road to graduation was not easy, but they:

  • Showed exceptional excellence:
  • Surpassed the 80% attendance requirement,
  • Successfully completed all courses, and
  • Maintained very high levels of active class participation throughout the program.


This high rate of completion is a powerful testament to the sacrifice and commitment each founder poured into their development.


The awards were then announced:

  • 🥇 CHAMPION, PITCH COMPETITION ($5,000 Startup Currency): Marcus Wade, Founder of Genesis 1 Technologies LLC!
  • 🥈 BEST PITCH DECK ($500 Startup Currency): Aneelia Ma, Founder of Neelia's - Dessert Catering & Centerpiece Cakes!


The celebration peaked as Executive Director Steven Lewis and Joan Randall personally distributed graduation certificates to all Cohort 11 participants, a heartfelt acknowledgement of the magnitude of their collective achievement.


A Heartfelt Thank You

This incredible evening would not have been possible without the leadership and community that champions our founders.


A special thank you to:

  • Our core leadership team: Executive Director Steven Lewis, Joan Randall, Harold Hughes, and Charles Kearse, for their guidance and vision.
  • Our esteemed Judges Panel: Christopher Dennis (Fix Housing Solutions), Lakesha Womack (ASPIRE Community Capital), and Sherry Robinson (Pinnacle Economic Empowerment Center).
  • Our inspiring Guest Speakers: Julius Edwards (City of Charlotte), who spoke on leadership and community impact, and Christopher Dennis (Fix Housing Solutions), who spoke on foundational vision for growth.
  • Our amazing MC, Charles Kearse, for guiding us through the evening.
  • Our alumni contributor: Darren Anderson of Skyhaus Media, for capturing the evening's energy as our videographer.
  • The Do Greater Foundation, our generous and foundational partner, for consistently hosting our succesful live events.
  • All our Community Partners, and every single Cohort 11 Participant for their dedication.


Together, we are unlocking potential, fostering innovation, and building a brighter future for entrepreneurship in our community. Stay tuned for Cohort 12!


📸 Relive the Night: View the Official Photo Album!

The energy, the excitement, and the pride of Cohort 11 Pitch Night are best experienced visually. We captured every moment—from the nervous anticipation before the pitches to the celebratory graduation handshake.


Click below to view the full event album on your preferred platform:

Founder Stories & Startup Wins — The Boost Pad

The Foundation Beneath the Business: Dr. Stephanie Kirkland on Identity, Leadership, and Lasting Impact

By Mark Babaran • June 2, 2026
At The Boost Pad , we believe some of the most transformational leaders are the ones helping others grow not only professionally — but personally and internally as well. That is why we are proud to spotlight our Board Member, Dr. Stephanie M. Kirkland, founder of Identity Dynamics LLC and a nationally recognized leadership strategist focused on identity-centered leadership development. This month, Dr. Kirkland served as a featured speaker at the Woman’s Business Center of Charlotte B.O.S.S. Conference, where she delivered a keynote titled: “The Foundation Beneath the Business: Why the Next Level Begins with You” Her keynote challenged entrepreneurs and leaders to think differently about growth, leadership, and performance. According to Dr. Kirkland, many high-achieving leaders spend years building technical expertise, refining business models, expanding networks, and developing strategies — while rarely examining the identity they are leading from. She believes that identity is not simply a personal development topic, but a foundational framework that directly influences leadership, decision-making, relationships, and long-term success. In her words: “Identity is not a soft topic. It is infrastructure.” Through her work with Identity Dynamics and the Identity Capacity Infrastructure framework, Dr. Kirkland helps leaders strengthen the internal foundation that governs how they process pressure, exercise authority, navigate challenges, and lead others. Her work particularly focuses on empowering women in leadership and business by helping them move beyond external validation and lead from a more intentional and fully constructed identity. Dr. Kirkland also emphasized the direct connection between personal leadership and community transformation. She shared: “Real community impact begins with leaders who know who they are.” That perspective deeply aligns with The Boost Pad’s mission of helping entrepreneurs build sustainable businesses, stronger leadership capacity, and long-term economic mobility within their communities. At The Boost Pad, we are grateful for leaders like Dr. Stephanie Kirkland who continue investing their expertise, voice, and mentorship into strengthening entrepreneurs and empowering communities throughout Charlotte and beyond. Thank you, Dr. Kirkland, for your continued leadership and impact. The Foundation Beneath the Business: Dr. Stephanie Kirkland on Identity, Leadership, and Lasting Impact At The Boost Pad, we believe sustainable business growth begins with strong leadership — and strong leadership begins with identity. That is why we are proud to spotlight Dr. Stephanie M. Kirkland , a valued Board Member of The Boost Pad , founder of Identity Dynamics LLC , and a nationally recognized leadership strategist whose work is helping leaders build from the inside out. This month, Dr. Kirkland served as a featured speaker at the Woman’s Business Center of Charlotte B.O.S.S. Conference . The Woman’s Business Center is an important community partner of The Boost Pad , and we are grateful for their continued work to support, equip, and elevate entrepreneurs across Charlotte. Dr. Kirkland’s keynote, “The Foundation Beneath the Business: Why the Next Level Begins with You,” challenged entrepreneurs and leaders to look beyond strategy, systems, and technical skill — and examine the identity from which they lead. As Dr. Kirkland powerfully stated: “Identity is not a soft topic. It is infrastructure.” Through her work with Identity Dynamics and the Identity Capacity Infrastructure framework, Dr. Kirkland helps leaders strengthen the internal foundation that shapes how they make decisions, navigate pressure, exercise authority, build relationships, and create lasting impact. Her message is especially meaningful for entrepreneurs and women in leadership who are building businesses, leading teams, and shaping communities while learning to lead from a place of clarity, confidence, and purpose. Dr. Kirkland also reminded attendees that personal leadership and community transformation are deeply connected: “Real community impact begins with leaders who know who they are.” That message strongly aligns with The Boost Pad’s mission to help entrepreneurs build sustainable businesses, expand leadership capacity, and create long-term economic mobility in their communities. We are honored to have Dr. Stephanie Kirkland serving on The Boost Pad Board and grateful for the leadership, wisdom, and commitment she continues to bring to entrepreneurs throughout Charlotte and beyond. Thank you, Dr. Kirkland, for your continued impact.

The Boost Pad Celebrates Board Member Sam Merritt’s 2026 CBJ 40 Under 40 Recognition

By Mark Babaran • June 2, 2026
The Boost Pad is proud to celebrate Sam Merritt being named one of the honorees in the Charlotte Business Journal 40 Under 40 Awards. This prestigious recognition highlights some of the most impactful rising leaders across the Charlotte business community — individuals who are shaping the future of business, innovation, and civic leadership throughout the region. Sam currently serves as a Partner at Womble Bond Dickinson , where he focuses on branding, trademarks, and intellectual property law. Throughout his career, Sam has built a reputation for helping businesses protect their ideas, strengthen their brands, and navigate complex legal matters with confidence. Beyond his legal career, Sam continues to make a significant impact through his civic and community involvement. He specifically highlighted his work with Charlotte Legal Initiative to Mobilize Business (CLIMB) and his involvement in The Boost Pad as among his greatest civic accomplishments of the year. In his Charlotte Business Journal feature, Sam shared: “These organizations support local small businesses and entrepreneurs with training and legal support, and I am happy to be able to offer branding, trademark and intellectual property guidance.” That dedication to supporting entrepreneurs aligns deeply with The Boost Pad’s mission of empowering founders with the education, mentorship, and resources necessary to build sustainable businesses and create long-term economic mobility. Since moving to Charlotte in 2009, Sam has become an active leader in both the legal and nonprofit communities, contributing not only professional expertise but also a strong commitment to mentorship and service. At The Boost Pad, we are grateful to have leaders like Sam investing their time, knowledge, and energy into helping entrepreneurs grow and succeed. Congratulations again to Sam Merritt on this well-deserved recognition. We are excited to continue building impact together throughout the Charlotte entrepreneurial ecosystem.

The Boost Pad | April Spotlight: From Momentum to Milestones

By Mark Babaran • April 28, 2026
What happens when The Boost Pad, a Charlotte-based nonprofit, joins forces with two remarkable interns from different universities across our region? Something powerful begins to take shape. Fresh ideas meet meaningful purpose. Innovation meets impact. And everyone involved grows in the process. That’s exactly what we’ve experienced with Colette Dwyer (Davidson College) and Nevyn Brown (UNC Charlotte) —two emerging leaders whose work is already translating into real-world results. 🚀 Founder Win: Nevyn Brown | FundU Execution creates opportunities—and Nevyn is a clear example of that in action. Nevyn recently secured 1st place at UNC Charlotte’s 49-Minute Pitch Competition, earning $8,000 in funding for his startup, FundU. FundU is a mobile platform that enables nonprofits to raise money by partnering with local businesses—transforming everyday purchases into a scalable fundraising engine. At the same time, it helps small businesses generate consistent customer demand. What made FundU stand out wasn’t just the idea—it was the clarity behind it: A clearly defined problem across two markets A solution that creates value for both nonprofits and businesses Early traction with pilot partnerships A model designed to scale across campuses and cities Beyond his venture, Nevyn contributes to The Boost Pad through marketing, social media, and technical strategy—bringing a data-driven and execution-focused mindset to everything he builds. With a launch planned for late May, FundU is already moving from concept to real-world impact. View his venture here: https://www.funduhub.com/ . 🌱 Founder Win: Colette Dwyer Impact isn’t only built through ventures—it’s also built through research, communication, and the ability to translate ideas into meaningful action. Colette, a student of Biology and Hispanic Studies at Davidson College, recently presented her original research at the Association of Southeastern Biology Research Conference—an experience that sharpened both her scientific thinking and her ability to communicate complex ideas with clarity. Her work focused on prairie restoration practices and their application to sustainability. Through a year of independent research, she established baseline findings that contribute to future environmental studies and sustainable interventions. By tracking emerging trends and presenting them to the Davidson Biology Department and conference judges, Colette demonstrated both analytical depth and clarity in storytelling. Her work was recognized with the Best Poster Presentation Award , a testament to both the quality of her research and her ability to translate technical insights into compelling narratives. At The Boost Pad, Colette has extended these same strengths into storytelling and collaboration—contributing to newsletter and blog creation while helping build an alumni network alongside Nevyn Brown. Her ability to connect research, communication, and community-building reflects the kind of multidimensional leadership we aim to cultivate. 🔑 Where Mindset Becomes Action These moments reflect something deeper than individual wins. They represent the shift we focus on every day at The Boost Pad: From ideas → execution From learning → application From vision → measurable progress This is where entrepreneurs stop asking “What should I build?” …and start proving “Here’s what I’m building—and why it matters.” âš¡ Building What’s Next From expanding partnerships to developing new talent, everything we’re doing is centered on one goal: Creating real pathways for entrepreneurs to build, grow, and succeed. What we’ve seen with Colette and Nevyn is exactly what The Boost Pad is built for. Bringing together talent, opportunity, and real-world execution to create meaningful outcomes—for founders and for the communities they serve. And if this is only the beginning, we’re excited to see what they build next. The Boost Pad Team Building entrepreneurs. Strengthening communities.
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