Congratulations to lylah Greenwood & Elijah Funches our 2025 winner of the Pearls of Ubuntu $1000 pro 2 business pitch.

Elijah Funches, Age 8

Founder & CEO, Elijah’s Tasty Lemonade
Elijah and the Treehouse

Elijah Funches is an 8-year-old entrepreneur and one of the youngest participants in Pearls Of Ubuntu INC. He is the founder of Elijah’s Tasty Lemonade, a fresh-made lemonade business where every drink is prepared from scratch right in front of customers.

Elijah’s process includes hand-crushing fresh lemons, adding sugar, allowing customers to choose custom flavors, and finishing each drink with ice and fresh spring water—then shaking it all together for a one-of-a-kind experience. His participation at Sunday on the Boulevard was a standout success, with lines wrapping around the block to try his lemonade.

Due to his professionalism, customer engagement, and strong sales, Elijah was invited to return as a paid vendor and proud partner of Sunday on the Boulevard.

Elijah is also a published author. His book, Elijah and the Treehouse, is an imaginative story about creativity, independence, and building something meaningful through determination and vision.

Elijah’s innovation, confidence, and community impact earned him the title of Pro 2 Business Pitch Competition Winner for 2025, making this year the first in Pearls of Ubuntu history to award a tie.

Lylah Greenwood, Age 11

Founder & CEO, Slimetime Creations

Author, Lylah & Naomi

Lylah Greenwood is an 11-year-old entrepreneur and one of the youngest members of Pearls Of Ubuntu INC. She is the founder of Slimetime Creations, a youth-owned slime business she built entirely from the ground up through the Pearls of Ubuntu Pro-Two Business Development Program.

As part of the program, Lylah developed a full business plan and confidently pitched her idea before community leaders and business owners in the North Lawndale community. She also gained real-world experience as a vendor at Sunday on the Boulevard on August 17, where she successfully sold her handmade slime creations directly to the public.

In addition to being a business owner, Lylah is also a published author. Her book, Lylah & Naomi, is a heartwarming story about friendship, teamwork, and learning how collaboration and kindness can help solve problems and strengthen relationships.

Lylah’s creativity, leadership, and dedication earned her the title of Pro 2 Business Pitch Competition Winner for 2025, making this year the first in Pearls of Ubuntu history to award a tie.