Black Ambition aims to give support and guidance to Latinx and black owned startups. Livegistics founders Andre Davis and Justin Turk. (Photo from Kai Davis)
Pharrell Williams is known for his impressive musical resume. He’s worked with the likes of Justin Timberlake, Robin Thicke, JAY-Z, Gwen Stefani, Snoop Dogg, and Usher. Now, he’s giving back to black and Latinx business owners. The “Happy” singer recently awarded over 30 black and Latinx entrepreneurs roughly $15,000 for their businesses via his non-profit organization Black Ambition.
Launched back in December, over 1,700 people applied for grants with 34 finalists receiving money as well as support from personal mentors, a pitch coach, and an introduction to more than 100 investors during a Demo Day event earlier this month.
Out of the 34 finalists, nine received over $100,000, but the grand prize was award to Justin Turk of Livegistics, a company that offers support tech to the construction industry. The company also aims to help the environment by eliminating tons of paper each year. Along with this, they help communities accelerate the elimination of blight in urban cities and neighborhoods. Turk’s efforts helped him take home the $1 million prize.
"We knew we had something special, but you don't go in thinking you will walk away with $1 million. But when it happens you are like, 'Wow, we just won $1 million,'" Turk said.
Black Ambition also awarded Kadija Dosso the HBCU grand prize of $250,000 for her Dosso Beauty business. This initiative focuses on black and Latinx entrepreneurs from historically black colleges and universities with the goal of helping them fund their ideas and businesses.
After the effects of COVID left many business owners, especially owners of color, struggling to survive, Williams was inspired to launch the Black Ambition foundation. The foundation’s 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."
Take a look at all the winners from 2021.
So far, The Black Ambition Prize is the only initiative the foundation has launched, but the organization already has some big supporting partners, including Adidas, the Visa Foundation, Chanel, Jonah Peretti, and The Rockefeller Foundation.
Clearly, this is just the beginning for Black Ambition. As we emerge from a year-long pandemic, more business owners of colors may find it hard to relaunch and get back on their feet. Hopefully, Black Ambition can provide new opportunities and support for these struggling individuals.
Here is another Pharrell Williams tech endeavor.
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