Last week hit different—in the best way. We hosted winners from our HerStory Pitch Competition for a celebratory luncheon at VSEDC headquarters, and the energy was all wins, wisdom, and (not kidding) elite sandwiches.

Shoutout to Mike’s Deli for catering—home to some of the best sandwiches in Los Angeles. The bread was soft, the hustle was harder, and our founders left full—in spirit and in pocket. Winners also received their cash prizes on the spot, because recognition should come with receipts.

Spotlight: HerStory Champions

First Place & Audience Choice ($2,000): Liberated Eyewear, Inc. — Crystal Crawford
Founded in 2022, Liberated Eyewear is the brainchild of Crystal Crawford, a Senior Cancer Research Professional and Black woman entrepreneur who merges fashion with advanced lens technology to protect eye health and elevate everyday style. Precision meets presence—that’s the brand.

Full article: HerStory Luncheon Celebrates Women-Owned Small Businesses and Startups - VSEDC

Each participant brought grit, clarity, and a blueprint for impact. This luncheon wasn’t just a thank-you; it was a signal: South LA founders are building with excellence, and VSEDC is here to fuel that momentum—resources, coaching, capital, community.

To our winners and participants: keep going. We see you, we back you, and we’ll keep creating rooms where your work gets funded and your voice gets amplified.

Onward—more pitches, more partnerships, more progress.

HerStory #VSEDC #SouthLA #PitchCompetition #WomenInBusiness #LiberatedEyewear #CrystalCrawford #SmallBusiness #Entrepreneurship #MikesDeli #CommunityFirst

Visit Liberated Eyewear at www.liberatedeyewear.com