Moguls in the Making.

Welcome to the movement.

A cheerful group of HBCU students sit on steps while North Carolina A&T students stand up and roar out their school chant.

We're making Moguls.

Moguls in the Making was born from the need to act — to put our beliefs into practice by creating a program to tackle the issue of economic mobility head-on. 

We teamed up with the Thurgood Marshall College Fund to create this entrepreneurial competition to foster opportunities for young leaders from our nation’s publicly and privately supported Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).

From idealist to entrepreneur in one weekend.

Over the course of a fall weekend, students will be tested and given a glimpse into what being a Mogul is all about – hard work. It’s a strenuous 72 hours of rigorous learning and creating where students tap into all types of skill sets to turn their visions into reality. Students will have mentors and speakers to inspire them as they develop an idea to pitch in front of a distinguished panel of judges. 

It’s simple: the best presentation with the most brilliant business solution wins.

Three figures representing students

60
Students selected

Chess pieces representing teams

15
Teams formed

A star and ribbon representing a prize

1
Winning pitch

What’s at stake.

Every student who participates will walk away with valuable experiences, scholarship awards and other prizes including chances at internships and full-time job opportunities.

The winning teams will be offered the following prizes:

A badge with a number 1 representing first place

1st Place

  • $20,000 scholarship per team member

  • Guaranteed internship offer at Ally for each team member

  • A laptop with software packages

  • Plenty of other prizes and swag

A badge with a number 2 representing second place

2nd Place

  • $10,000 scholarship per team member

  • A laptop with software packages

  • Plenty of other prizes and swag

A badge with a number 3 representing third place

3rd Place

  • $5,000 scholarship per team member

  • A laptop with software packages

  • Plenty of other prizes and swag

An image of Ally CEO, Jeff Brown, a white man with gray hair, speaking at a Moguls event

A note from our CEO.

“It has been an amazing opportunity to have these bright young men and women, all from diverse backgrounds, get a chance to solve real problems in our communities – like Charlotte and Detroit. I have grown as a leader watching and listening to their creative ideas and approaches. Moguls brings me immense pride. That first year really moved me... thinking about an opportunity to impact 50 lives – that spirit has lived with me ever since. So incredible.”

- Jeff Brown, Chief Executive Officer of Ally Financial Inc.

Participating HBCUs.

Students from all over the country have collaborated, innovated and cultivated lifelong relationships through Moguls in the Making. We're proud to have worked with 14 HBCUs — and the list keeps growing.

See the full list
Colorful map with pins of all current participating HBCUs.

How to apply.

Think you have what it takes to be a Mogul?

Our application process is currently closed. Check back in February 2024 to find out how to apply.

Important dates to know.

An illustration of a flag

Feb. 6

Application
Opens

An illustration of links in a chain

April 25

Application
Closed

An illustration of a calendar

Sept. 7-10

Program
Dates

An illustration of a calendar

Sept. 10

Final Pitch
Day

Note: Students must be available for travel on Sept. 6 and Sept. 11

Hear from Past Moguls.

A headshot image of Nalani Kelley Marsh

Nalani Kelley Marsh

Florida A&M University
2019 Winner

 "The first Moguls in the Making was a paradigm shifting experience! I loved the fact I was able to hone my entrepreneurial mind while leveraging the knowledge gained from my collegiate studies."

A headshot image of Joshua Weaver

Joshua Weaver 

North Carolina A&T State University
2021 Winner

 "Moguls has been a life changing experience for me. Not only did the competition help me land my first corporate opportunity, but opened my eyes to what is possible when you take a chance on yourself."

A headshot image of Andre Wilkes

Andre Wilkes

Howard University
2021 2nd Place

 "Moguls in the Making showed me you could do good and do well at the same time! It created a family out of complete strangers.”

Congratulations to our 2022 winner, Morehouse College!

The men of Morehouse College did a fantastic job this year. We’re proud of Amari Torrance, Travis Sherman, Kasai Rogers and Zion Melson on their innovative idea to tackle economic mobility. We can’t wait to see what their future holds.

2nd Place:
Morgan State University

3rd Place:
Southern University and A&M College  

Image of the 2022 Moguls competition winners: Amari Torrance, Travis Sherman, Kasai Rogers, and Zion Melson

2021 Winners:
North Carolina A&T
State University

Claudia Duverglas, Darren Rippy, Joshua Weaver, Kameran Harris, and Lance Davis

2nd Place: Howard University
3rd Place: Florida A&M University

2020 Winners:
Alabama A&M University

Chaz Holder, Deja Strong, Dermyrius Lindsey-Lewis, Dominique Spence, and Justin Lindberg

2nd Place: Florida A&M University
3rd Place: Hampton University and Morehouse/Spelman College (tie)

2019 Winners:
Florida A&M University

Nalani Kelley-Marsh, Earl Perry, Keishon Smith, Livi Grant, and Emmanuel Dawson

2nd Place: NC A&T State University
3rd Place: Morgan State University

Media and press.

Revolt Media sits down with two previous winners of Moguls in the Making, Joshua Weaver (North Carolina A&T) and Andre Wilkes (Howard University).

A new batch of HBCU students arrive in Charlotte, greeted by host Rodney Rikai and representatives from Ally and the Thurgood Marshall College Fund. A spin wheel randomly assigns them to their projects.

Gia Peppers, Terrence J, and Ally’s Natalie J. Brown sit down with some of the winners of Moguls in the Making. 

Thank you to our partner,  Thurgood Marshall College Fund .

Thurgood Marshall College Fund logo