Morehouse’s small business program graduates cohort, but faces funding challenges

A woman standing and talking in front of a room.
Kris Hale is the founder of Dope Pieces Puzzle Company. She was part of the cohort in the African American Hall of Fame at Morehouse College on Wednesday, June 4, 2025. (Marlon Hyde/WABE News)

Morehouse College aims to expand a retail business program launched to help Black entrepreneurs reach the next level, but funding challenges may stand in its way.

Inside Morehouse’s African American Hall of Fame, Demond Crump sits behind a table of his products. He is the founder of REIGN Premium Sanitary Napkins.

“Over 1.5 million women have utilized our product,” said Crump. He is part of a cohort of 20 retail businesses that spent the last year and a half learning about scaling, profitability and growth.

A man sits behind a table with his products.
Demond Crump is the founder of REIGN Premium Sanitary Napkins. (Marlon Hyde/WABE)