<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><item href="/about/newsroom/business-today-cei-entrepreneurs-sheik-akij-and-joyson-balisamore.cfm" dsn="blogs"><featured/><pubDate>02/24/2026</pubDate><title>Two MBA Students Earn SPARK Baltimore Impact Award </title><description>MBA students earn award that recognizes and supports outstanding student entrepreneurs.</description><author>Business Today</author><image><img src="https://www.ubalt.edu/about/newsroom/assets/images/2000x1500-sheik-and-joyson3-blog.jpg" alt="Joyson Balisamore, founder of Jay's Watermelonade and Sheik Akij, founder of Potomac24"/></image><image-cap>Joyson Balisamore, founder of Jay's Watermelonade and Sheik Akij, founder of Potomac24</image-cap><quote>It's proof that with the right guidance and determination, student entrepreneurs can make a real difference.</quote><quote-name>Joyson Balisamore </quote-name><quote-info>Alumnus and Entrepreneur </quote-info><tags><tag>CEI</tag><tag>Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation</tag><tag>Main News</tag><tag>Merrick School of Business</tag></tags></item>