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The Dev Difference Takes First Place at Delta Red Tank


Promotional graphic announcing the Grand Prize winner of the 2025 Delta Red Tank competition. The design features a headshot of Jolene Bernagene, smiling with long braids and wearing a black top. Text highlights that she won $25,000 for The Dev Difference in the “Existing” business category, representing the Farwest Region, Seattle Alumnae Chapter. The background uses beige and red accents with bold typography.


The Dev Difference is thrilled to share an incredible milestone in our journey, taking home first place in the 2025 Delta Red Tank Pitch Competition!


The co-founders of The Dev Difference -- Jovanay, Moyosore, and Jolene -- joined the Pi Theta Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated at Dartmouth College in the 'Auspicious 13' line the spring semester of 2019. At that time, they had no idea their sisterhood and support system through Delta Sigma Theta would be the catalyst for their strong friendship and their founding of The Dev Difference.


Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated was founded 112 years ago in 1913 at Howard University. The 22 founding women sought to create an organization committed to sisterhood, scholarship, service, and the empowerment of African American communities. As a service-based sorority that goes well beyond the 4 years of college, the nonprofit currently has over 350,000 members worldwide, committed to to programs within the Sorority's Five-Point Programmatic Thrust: economic development, educational development, international awareness and involvement, physical and mental health, and political awareness and involvement.


Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. provides many development opportunities for their members, and the Delta Red Tank Pitch Competition is one of them. The competition provides a chance for members to spotlight their entrepreneurship and innovative business ventures. Jolene represented The Dev Difference, and our team's ingenuity and ambition shined through, winning us first place in the existing businesses category! Not only did Jolene secure the grand prize of $25,000, she also represented the Far West Region & the Seattle Alumni Chapter as the first winner of Delta Red tank for the far west.


This opportunity was more than just a pitch to us, it was an opportunity to showcase our values and the innovation at the heart of The Dev Difference. The community’s support has been truly palpable, reminding us that our work isn’t done in isolation, but in partnership with those who believe in creating a better future for all.


We’re proud to extend our congratulations to the other teams in our category. Susanna Hadley, representing the Nashville Alumnae Chapter and Southern Region, took home 2nd place with her company Nashville Lawn Care. Tasha Earl, representing the St. Louis Metropolitan Alumnae Chapter and Central Region, earned 3rd place with her business Shades of Color.


Every pitch brought unique perspectives, creative solutions, and inspiring stories. We love every chance to lift others up and celebrate innovation and moving forward together. As Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. emphasizes through its values of sisterhood, scholarship, and service, this event embodied what it means to create opportunities for growth and empowerment.


Winning first place validates the work we’ve poured into creating a more secure, holistic, and equitable AI recruiting solution, and it challenges us to keep improving and keep listening to the needs of employers and candidates. Recruitment today is often burdened with bias, inefficiencies, and mismatches that hurt both companies and job seekers. Our mission is to change that by building systems that prioritize fairness, detect cheating and deepfake agents, promote transparency, and increase opportunities for all.


Jolene Bernagene, co-founder of The Dev Difference, stands smiling on stage holding a large ceremonial check for $25,000 for winning First Place – Existing Business at the 2025 Delta Red Tank competition. The check, dated July 8, 2025, is signed by Elsie Cooke-Holmes, International President and Chair, Board of Directors. Behind her is a Delta Red Tank banner and to the right, a poster with the competition logo and participant photos.

As we look ahead, we’re more energized than ever to expand our reach. We are eager to partner with more companies who are ready to embrace change and transform the way they hire. We believe that when the right candidate finds the right company, everyone thrives -- businesses, communities, and individuals alike.


To our supporters, mentors, and community members, thank you. This victory belongs to you as much as it does to us. Your encouragement keeps us motivated and grounded as we navigate the challenges of building a startup. We can’t wait to share what comes next for The Dev Difference. Stay tuned as we continue working to bring better resources to more companies and more candidates, because the future of work should be efficient and accessible.

 
 
 

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