Pharrell Williams’ Black Ambitions Foundation Supports Black and Latino Entrepreneurs.

By: HBCU Staff

Pharrell Williams is putting on for Black and Latino entrepreneurs. As part of his nonprofit Black Ambitions Foundation, the Dinner with a Purpose has awarded over $2.5 million to a variety of Black and Latino start-up businesses. During the three-day Mighty Dream event in Norfolk, 31 businesses in the Hampton Roads area were blessed with financial prizes. Williams even went the extra mile to give back to HBCU scholars as the event held a special category for HBCUs.

The grand prize winner of the event, Pound Cake Cosmetics, founded by Camille Bell, received $1 million in funds. The Black and Latinx-owned cosmetic business pushes for inclusivity creating numerous shades of darker-toned makeup. In second place, Skiimoo Tech, founded by Glenise Kinard-Moore, a prosthetic development company, won $250,000. Lastly, THE MOVE, an app for college students founded by Zachary Gilchrist, won the HBCU category. Though not all could be chosen to be the top 3 winners, Black Ambition awarded smaller gifts to the other 28 business owners involved. Each owner left with networking opportunities, learning experiences, and a leg up in the business world. The goal of Black Ambition is to push to strengthen entrepreneurs with talent and close the wealth and opportunity gaps for those with limited access to capital and resources.