Bowie State University News October 9, 2019 Michael Abobar Wins Second Place for Pitching Long-lasting Marker Pen A Bowie State University student inventor won second in a regional pitch competition at the 3rd annual African Diaspora Entrepreneurship Summit<https://afdes.net/pitch.html>, which encourages entrepreneurship in the regional Pan-African community and provides innovators with funding and other vital resources to start, grow or expand their businesses. Michael Abobor, a doctoral student, pitched the business idea for his invention, Xtended Yus Markers, which he developed with faculty mentor and biology faculty Dr. Eric Bonsu during the 2018 Summer Launch Program hosted by the BSU Entrepreneurship Academy<https://bowiestate.edu/entrepreneur>. Abobar captivated the judges with the details of his invention, a long-lasting marker pen. Oluwole Ajayi, a 2019 BSU graduate from the master's degree in management information systems program, also participated in the competition. BSU College of Business adjunct faculty member Jainaba Ceesay moderated a panel on the importance of mentorship and strategic partnerships and was a panelist for a discussion on the legal considerations of starting a business. Ceesay is a BSU Entrepreneurship facilitator and teaches entrepreneurship courses. Opportunities like the entrepreneurship summit are part of the diverse experiences students can receive then they join the Entrepreneurship Academy. The program not only prepares students to compete in local, regional and national pitch competitions, but it also provides resources and opportunities for all BSU innovative thinkers who are interested in developing a business. SANDRA M. PHOENIX HBCU Library Alliance Executive Director Atlanta University Center Robert W. Woodruff Library 111 James P. Brawley Drive SW Atlanta GA 30314 404-978-2118 (office) 404-702-5854 (cell) http://www.hbculibraries.org sphoenix@hbculibraries.org Honor the ancestors, honor the children and those yet to come. Follow us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/hbculibraryalliance1/ and Twitter at https://twitter.com/HBCULibAlliance Check out "PULSE!" The HBCU Library Alliance's News Source! - https://hbculibraryalliance.wordpress.com/