Pharrell Williams returns to his native Virginia to award $2.5M to Black and Latinx entrepreneurs

From theGrio

Pharrell Williams’ Black Ambition platform is awarding $2.5 million to 31 Black and Latinx entrepreneurs during a multiday event in Virginia.

Call it a mighty dream come true: 31 individuals with an idea for a company of some kind are about to receive a giant vote of confidence — and financial backing — from Pharrell Williams. On Tuesday, Nov. 1, Williams will announce this year’s Black Ambition prize winners during his three-day “Mighty Dream Forum,” taking place in his native Virginia.

According to a release, the career advancement forum will kick off with the announcement of 31 founders who will be awarded funding during this year’s prize cycle. The three-day event will also include panels, programming, and networking events geared toward advancing Black and Latinx entrepreneurs in a variety of fields including media and entertainment, health care, consumer products and services, tech and Web 3.0. 

The Mighty Dreams’ official site says the annual gathering will also serve as a forum for thought leadership, idea exchange, and progressive conversation, as well as amazing food and entertainment experiences “where important, engaging conversations about matters of equity and opportunity are also charged with an energy unlike any other.”

Since Black Ambition’s inaugural prize cycle in 2021, the organization has seen a 20% increase in applications. For the 2022 prize cycle, Black Ambition added two additional prize verticals, “media and entertainment” and “Web 3.”

Find out what Black Ambition prizes are all about.

Williams joins stars like Cardi B, who have donated to their communities.

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