Florida Agricultural And Mechanical University Team Wins 2026 HBCU Stock Pitch Competition, Earning Over $12K In Prizes – AfroTech
Historically Black College and University (HBCU) students put their knowledge to use in the asset management field.
According to a press release shared with AFROTECH™, the United Negro College Fund’s (UNCF’s) sixth annual HBCU Stock Pitch Competition — held at Acadian Asset Management’s Boston headquarters — provided student teams from HBCUs with resources to empower them in the asset management field to ensure they can fine-tune their investment decisions in real-world settings. Participants can connect with industry professionals, receive mentorship, and put their financial analysis skills and knowledge to the test in a live presentation setting.
During the competition’s final round on April 10, teams were evaluated on the strength of their investment thesis, financial research, and company valuation work. They were also judged on how clearly they communicated risks and catalysts their responses during a live Q&A in front of a panel of judges that included: Brendan Bradley (Acadian Asset Management’s chief investment officer), Tim Codrington (Fidelity Investments’ managing director of research), Phill Gross (Adage Capital Management’s co-founder and managing director), Anne Malone (Citi’s head of U.S. equity research), and Marjorie Winfrey (Wellington Management’s equity research analyst).
“Experiences like the HBCU Stock Pitch Competition activate students as professionals, not just learners,” said UNCF Director of Investment Leadership Programs Dr. Shawn Thomas, in the news release. “By integrating real investment work, mentorship, and evaluation into the student experience, we are creating pathways that prepare students to contribute immediately to complex institutional environments.”
Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University’s team won the competition, earning more than $12,000 in prizes. Team members included Aldous Blackwell, Ramona Copeland, Chandler Destra, and Micah Askew, and the team was advised by Dr. Inger M. Daniels-Hollar.
“Participating in the UNCF Stock Pitch Competition helps our students understand the quantitative, analytical, and presentation skills required of professionals in the asset management industry,” said Dr. Daniels-Hollar, in the news release. “We are excited for our first-place win. We believe it is reflective of the long hours and deep research the students dedicated to their pitch, and of the standards we uphold at Florida A&M University School of Business and Industry.”
Howard University was runner-up, while Morehouse College and Spelman College shared third place, notes the release. Other participating teams came from Clark Atlanta University, Hampton University, Morgan State University, North Carolina A&T State University, and Xavier University of Louisiana.
The pitch competition mirrors a few other initiatives that UNCF has embraced, such as the Lighted Pathways Program, which helps undergraduate students secure internships in the investment management industry. Additionally, Project ACCLAIM (Accelerating Learning in Asset Investment Management) was launched by UNCF to develop the next generation of asset managers, offering wealth-building opportunities in investment management through coursework, hands-on training, and co-curricular activities, as AFROTECH™ previously reported.
