Photo courtesy of Pharrell Williams/ Instagram.
The Hollywood Reporter reported that Pharrell Williams has partnered with Chanel to mentor Black and Latinx entrepreneurs. Chanel will work with Pharrell and his nonprofit Black Ambition on a two-part initiative to educate Black and Latinx entrepreneurs and provide them with opportunities.
Williams began Black Ambition last December. Black Ambition brings entrepreneurs together to compete for $1 million in prizes and opportunities. The Black Ambition HBCU Prize and The Black Ambition Prize lead to a national event in July.
The two-part series introduced entrepreneurs to successful women for a panel discussion called “Women Who Lead,” for the first part of the initiative on June 11. Actress Tracee Ellis Ross, Imaginary Ventures co-founder Natalie Massenet and Emma Grede, the CEO and founder of Good American, were among the panel. Editor-In-Chief for Harper’s Bazaar Samira Nasr Harper was the moderator. The panel discussed the importance of clarity of vision for entrepreneurs, determination, community and mentorship. Black Ambition semifinalists were able to participate in the “Women Who Lead” panel.
The second part of the initiative will consist of mentorship workshops with the leaders at Chanel, and only Black Ambition finalists can participate. The workshops give entrepreneurs the information they will need to launch their brand. They also provide entrepreneurs the knowledge they will need to sustain their business.
In a statement released when Williams launched the non-profit, Williams said that marginalized people are often faced with numerous barriers to success, and Black Ambition aims to change that.
“Recent events and tragedies have illustrated the always existent stark divisions in the American experience,” he said. “And while entrepreneurship has long been a tenet of the American dream, marginalized people have faced long-standing barriers to success. With Black Ambition, the goal is to help strengthen the pipeline of talented entrepreneurs and close the opportunity and wealth gaps derived from limited access to capital and resources.”
Williams also said that Black Ambition is “investing in human potential” and helping to build representation for marginalized communities.