By Darryl Gangloff

Marcus McGregor ’26 recently earned second place at the Pitch For Ya Life! entrepreneur pitch contest in New York City. As the youngest and only high school participant, Marcus impressed the judges and attendees with his nonprofit organization, Locked and Stocked. His innovative work to help underrepresented students achieve their academic and personal goals earned him a $2,000 prize and an additional $500 for being "most passionate and charismatic" at the event.

The competition, held on Dec. 3 in New York City, attracted more than 100 young entrepreneurs of color with small businesses. Marcus's pitch stood out against college students and recent graduates, earning him a spot as one of the top four finalists.

“It feels great, and I plan on investing 100 percent of my profits back into my organization,” he said. “The main prize was the connections I made at the event. I have always preferred being by myself and in smaller groups, so talking in a large setting at the event was something new for me. This made me excited for the future, and I know I can do better and strive to make even more connections.”

Locked and Stocked’s mission is to “give back to students in underrepresented communities by keeping them locked in on achieving their goals and stocked with the necessary resources and support to achieve their dreams.” Through remote tutoring and mentoring sessions, Marcus’s nonprofit provides personalized support for students of color in the New York metropolitan area. Locked and Stocked is currently partnering with three schools, offering resources and mentorship to help students excel.

More than 30 tutors and mentors supported more than 50 students in Locked and Stocked’s fall virtual sessions. Over the summer, Marcus and his team hosted a successful program for 40 students at a local college in New York.

“I am proud to know my own personal efforts are paying off, and my work is directly helping those in need in my home community,” Marcus said.