FAMU and Other HBCUs Endorse Pharrell Williams' Multi-Million Dollar 'Black Ambition' Entrepreneur Initiative
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Posted By: Kennedy Williams on December 06, 2020 Music superstar Pharrell Williams is working to help Black and Hispanic entrepreneurs develop startup companies in tech, design, health care, and consumer product services through what he is calling "Black Ambition." Williams created this non-profit initiative to help combat the "long-standing barriers to success" people of color often face in this country. In the press release discussing the program, Williams said, "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." Through the program, two prize competitions will benefit those who chose to are selected to participate. Both the Black Ambition HBCU Prize and the Black Ambition Prize will offer participants mentorship and money to support their businesses. The Black Ambition HBCU competition has a grand prize of up to $250,000 and several smaller awards. Teams participating in this competition must include at least one current HBCU student that identifies as Black or Hispanic and one recent alum that has graduated within the last two years. Several HBCUs have expressed their support and excitement for the new initiative, including Norfolk State University and Florida A & M University. When discussing the program during a virtual news conference with Pharrell, FAMU President Larry Robinson said, "We are ready for this initiative. We have a long history of entrepreneurship at Florida A&M University. This is the right place." The second Black Ambition Prize will also offer an array of prizes to help identify and support up and coming companies in a range of different fields. This larger competition, however, has a grand prize of up to $1 million. The two competitions are slated to take place next summer and will allow teams to present in front of judges and investors to get prizes, mentorship, and feedback. For more info about this initiative and how to apply, check out www.blackambitionprize.com. If you enjoyed this article, Join HBCU CONNECT today for similar content and opportunities via email! |
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Kennedy Williams
From Loganville, GA Spelman College class of 2020 Member Since July 2016 |
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