Pharrell Williams’ Black Ambition Awards Over $2.7 Million to Trailblazing Entrepreneurs at 4th Annual Demo Day
This weekend, Pharrell Williams’ nonprofit, Black Ambition, celebrated its Fourth Annual Demo Day, awarding more than $2.7 million in funding to 30 visionary Black and Hispanic entrepreneurs. The prestigious event, attended by over 250 guests, was supported by leading partners Visa, Comcast, Louis Vuitton, Adidas, and the Lennar Foundation.
The $1 million grand prize was awarded to Dr. Monica Williams and Dana Roberts, Co-Founders of RedDrop, a brand dedicated to empowering and educating tweens with their innovative period kits. RedDrop’s mission is to provide support and guidance for young girls navigating menstruation.
Demo Day marks the culmination of months of hard work by over 3,000 entrepreneurs vying for not only monetary prizes but also mentorship and educational opportunities. The event was hosted by renowned actor and advocate Hill Harper and featured live pitches from eight top finalists in categories such as AI, Consumer Products, Healthcare, Media & Entertainment, and Tech.
The winners were determined by an expert panel of judges, including:
- Lisa Price, Founder of Carol’s Daughter
- Pinky Cole, Founder of Slutty Vegan
- Matt Story, VP of Global Brand Integrated Marketing at Visa
- Erik Moore, Founder & Managing Director of Base Ventures
Pharrell Williams, Founder of Black Ambition, shared his excitement:
“I’m inspired by the future these talented innovators represent and the impact Black Ambition will have on their journeys—building corporate partnerships, unlocking retail opportunities, and creating wealth for Black and Brown communities. Hearing their stories and seeing their pitches reaffirm the importance of our mission.”
The second-place prize of $250,000 was awarded to Thomas Fields, Founder of GRIND, a sports technology company inspiring inner-city youth to explore careers in engineering and technology. In total, 30 dynamic founders received prizes ranging from $25,000 to $1 million.
Beyond the financial awards, winners will benefit from:
- Town hall meetings with Pharrell and senior brand partners
- Office hours with investors and industry leaders
- Retail partner meetings
- Wellness and executive coaching
- Access to exclusive network-building events
Dr. Monica Williams of RedDrop expressed her gratitude:
“Winning the Black Ambition Prize Competition is life-changing. This funding will allow us to grow and impact our community further. But the mentorship and network we gain are priceless—they empower us to open doors and create opportunities for others.”
Before the awards ceremony, Pharrell Williams, Black Ambition CEO Felecia Hatcher, and Charles Phillips, Co-Founder of Recognize, engaged in a powerful onstage discussion about community, entrepreneurship, and the mission of Black Ambition.
The evening concluded with a celebratory networking reception featuring cocktails, small bites, and music. Guests received curated gift bags with items such as Louis Vuitton luggage tags, Homebody CBD bath salts, Luigi’s Chocolates, Joopiter tote bags, and Adidas water bottles.
Felecia Hatcher, CEO of Black Ambition, highlighted the program’s success:
“This year’s Demo Day showcased the incredible talent and innovation driving the next generation of leaders. We’re excited to continue building on the $265 million in revenue generated by Black Ambition entrepreneurs while expanding opportunities for more founders in AI, Tech, Consumer Products, and beyond.”
Since its inception in 2020, Black Ambition has empowered over 1,000 founders, awarding $13 million in capital and generating more than $265 million in revenue through its network of entrepreneurs. Recognized by outlets like Forbes and Bloomberg, the organization continues to close opportunity gaps and drive transformative change.
For more information on Black Ambition, visit www.blackambitionprize.com or follow us on social media:
- Facebook: @blackambitionprize
- Instagram: @blackambitionprize
- X (Twitter): @blackambitionpz
