Urban One And National Urban League Take Business To The High Seas With $100K ‘Community Business Competition’

If you’re a small business owner, entrepreneur, or founder ready to take your business to the next level, you’ll want to get on board the ONE Voyage Experience Cruise, because this is way more than a vacation. It’s an opportunity to connect, learn, pitch, and potentially walk away with up to $100,000 in promotional and advertising support. Urban One, Inc. and the National Urban League are teaming up to launch the Urban One Community Business Competition, giving entrepreneurs a unique opportunity to put their businesses in the spotlight while sailing aboard the ONE Voyage Experience cruise.

While sailing the high seas, budding entrepreneurs and small business owners will have the chance to pitch their businesses in front of a panel of judges for a chance to win valuable promotional and advertising support. Participants can also compete for major promotional prizes, build valuable connections, and learn from industry experts while cruising to the Bahamas.

Taking place Oct. 26 through Nov. 1, 2026, aboard Resilient Lady, the cruise will make stops in Nassau, Bahamas, and Virgin Voyages’ Beach Club at Bimini.

The Urban One Community Business Competition: Here’s how it works.

Come prepared because the top three businesses won’t just receive bragging rights, they’ll receive substantial promotional, business development, and advertising support designed to help them grow their brands and reach more customers.

Registered cruise passengers who own businesses will have the opportunity to pitch their ventures live before a panel of judges, with some serious prizes on the line. The grand prize winner will receive $100,000 worth of promotional and advertising support, while second place will receive $50,000 and third place will receive $25,000.

Full eligibility requirements and the competition application are available at www.ovcbc.com.

Alfred C. Liggins III, CEO & President of Urban One, is proud to be launching the Urban One Community Business Competition this year for hard-working sailors aboard the ONE Voyage Experience Cruise.

“My mother, Cathy Hughes, started Urban One as a small business, so supporting entrepreneurs and founders is in our foundational DNA,”  Liggins III shared in a statement. “By partnering with the National Urban League on ONE Voyage Experience, we are doubling down on our steadfast, lifelong commitment to small businesses, Black entrepreneurship, and unstoppable economic empowerment.”

Marc H. Morial, President and CEO of the National Urban League, shared a similar sentiment, adding:

“The only way that Black America can reach economic parity in this country is by owning businesses that create jobs and opportunities in our community.” He added, “This partnership is an extension of the work we already do to support small business owners and entrepreneurs through our 13 Entrepreneurship Centers across the country. Partnering with Urban One Business Pitch Competition allows us to connect entrepreneurs to another opportunity for exposure, resources and growth while reinforcing our ongoing commitment to helping businesses grow and thrive.”

Ready to Pitch Your Business?

The clock is ticking for entrepreneurs who want to compete. Applications must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. ET on Sunday, Oct. 18, 2026. Full competition rules and the application are available at http://www.ovcbc.com.

There’s one important requirement: participants must be registered attendees of the ONE Voyage Experience cruise. So if you’ve been looking for a reason to mix business, networking, education, and a little fun in the sun, this might be the trip for you.

Secure your cabin today by visiting http://www.onevoyagecruise.com/ or calling (214) 495-1963.

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