Randy Boyd, local entrepreneur and president of the University of Tennessee, was at the E. Fifth Avenue offices of the Knoxville Area Urban League on June 30 to present checks to the three winners of the 2021 CO.STARTERS business pitch contest.
- Lance Williams received $5,000 for IssssStr8 Attire LLC, which creates one-of-a-kind custom apparel
- Monica Smith-Albright received $1,000 for D’vyne Creations, a made-to-order bakery specializing in gourmet cookies, and
- Efrain Fermin Julio received $500 for La Cocina Otomi Mexican Restaurant, which he says will offer high-quality dishes that are both delicious and healthy.
Randy Boyd presents awards at the KAUL.
The CO.STARTERS program is one part of the Urban League’s efforts to fulfill its mission of economic empowerment and stability for people of all backgrounds and to support entrepreneurs at all stages, said Phyllis Y. Nichols, president and CEO of the KAUL. “Small businesses are the bedrock of the community.”
Boyd, a board member for the KAUL, is the founder of Radio Systems. Boyd and his wife, Jenny Boyd, a philanthropist and local business owner, are longtime supporters of the KAUL’s business pitch contest.
This year’s winner prizes were also supported by Dr. Joseph Kendrick, founder and owner of Asheville Highway Animal Hospital.
Maria McHale is an account executive for Moxley Carmichael.