Elite Media is rewriting the rules of advertising with the launch of its “Keep it 100 Pitch Competition,” debuting October 17 at The One Club’s Where Are All the Black People conference in New York. The independent, Black-owned, female-led agency, fresh off being named to the 2025 Inc. 5000 list of fastest-growing companies, is doubling down on its mission to create real impact, not just impressions.
The competition is the first in Elite Media’s new initiative, A Crash Course in OutGooding—a series of bold activations designed to challenge the industry to deliver action over optics. Founder and CEO Chris Crawford will set the tone with a keynote before opening the live pitch session, where one entrepreneur will walk away with $50,000 to bring their idea to life.
“The time for disruption is now. Our communities deserve action,” said Crawford. “We’re already investing more than $2 million of our agency’s dollars back into the Harlem community that raised us. With ‘Keep it 100,’ we’re challenging the ad industry to step up in real time—beyond vanity metrics—by fueling ideas that transform communities.”
Open to entrepreneurs, creators, and innovators, the competition will award $50K to one winning concept, whether it’s a culture-shifting product, a new media platform, an emerging agency, or a groundbreaking idea ready for prime time. A panel of judges will review submissions, with the winner announced live on stage.
For The One Club, the partnership is a natural extension of its mission. “At a time when so many doors are closing, this is our way of saying yes,” said Adrienne Lucas, Head of DEI & Strategic Partnerships. “By teaming up with Elite Media, we’re putting real resources behind creative entrepreneurs. That’s the power of investing in our community.”
The “Keep it 100 Pitch Competition” is more than a grant—it’s a statement. Sometimes support looks like mentorship. Sometimes it’s an opportunity. And sometimes it’s $50,000 in funding. Elite Media has committed to putting $100K of its own budget into the initiative each quarter, ensuring a steady pipeline of investment in cultural innovation.
Event Details
- What: Elite Media Keep it 100 Pitch Competition
- Where: Where Are All the Black People Conference, 117 West 46th Street, NYC
- When: Friday, October 17 | 9:45 AM (following Chris Crawford’s keynote)
- Prize: $50,000
Submissions are open now at keepit100challenge.com
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