The Hip Hop icon celebrated helping entrepreneurs and was honoured by Miami in the process.
Pharrell Williams may be internationally known, but he’s also locally accepted. On Friday (Nov. 14), the multi-hyphenate Hip Hop legend got his flowers from the City of Miami, which presented him with a key to the city. The “Happy” singer was presented with a key to Miami‑Dade County at the fifth Annual Black Ambition Demo Day. The Miami New Times reports that Mayor Daniella Levine Cava presented Pharrell with the honor at the Sacred Space Miami.
Black Ambition is a non-profit organization founded by Pharrell in 2020. It’s stated purpose is to “close the opportunity and wealth gap through entrepreneurship.” The organization does so by investing into worthy entrepreneurs and start-ups from underrepresented groups who may find themselves left out of traditional funding channels. Black Ambition Demo Day served as a celebration of the program’s success and featured artists, investors and up-and-coming businesspeople. According to the Miami New Times, almost 2,500 entrepreneurs applied for the Black Ambition Prize, and 25 finalists received over $1 million in funding. Some of the notable recipients appeared on stage to showcase their businesses, and the event was headlined with a performance by Chance the Rapper.
The day’s festivities also included a discussion between Pharrell and Mellody Hobson, President and co-CEO of Ariel Investments, which was moderated by Black Ambitions’ CEO Felecia Hatcher.