Photo by Edysmar Diaz-Cruz
Audio By Carbonatix
Pharrell Williams just added another accolade to his legacy — this time from the 305. On Friday evening, the Grammy-winning artist and entrepreneur was presented with the key to Miami-Dade County by Mayor Daniella Levine Cava during the 5th Annual Black Ambition Demo Day at the Sacred Space Miami. The honor was also awarded to Felecia Hatcher, CEO of Black Ambition.
The moment marked a salute to Williams’ growing footprint in Miami, not just through nightlife staples like Swan and Strawberry Moon, but through his deep investment in Black innovation and ownership. “There’s so much brilliance out there that never gets seen,” Pharrell said. “That’s why we built Black Ambition, to make sure talent doesn’t stop at potential.”
The event brought together investors, artists, and emerging founders for a high-energy celebration of entrepreneurship and access, capped off with a surprise performance by Chance the Rapper. The evening was backed by national partners including Visa, Louis Vuitton, Adidas, and the Lennar Foundation.
This year, nearly 2,500 entrepreneurs applied for the Black Ambition Prize. Twenty-five finalists received over $1 million in funding, and six standout founders hit the stage to spotlight ventures tackling food insecurity, maternal and infant mortality, and inclusivity in the skincare industry.
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Photo by Edysmar Diaz-Cruz
Attendees also witnessed a powerhouse fireside chat between Pharrell and Mellody Hobson, President and Co-CEO of Ariel Investments, moderated by Hatcher. During the conversation, Williams opened up about growing up in the projects while navigating ADHD, and how music became his anchor. He didn’t hold back politically either: “I hate politics; it’s a magic trick that isn’t real. I don’t believe in either side, because if you’re on either side, you’re supporting division.” He added, “We can’t just be the inspiration for American capitalism; we need to start capitalizing on that.”
Hatcher summed up the moment during her onstage conversation with Williams: “We just received the keys to the city, and keys are supposed to open doors. But for many founders, those doors often stay closed.” Williams followed with purpose: “That’s what we want to do with Black Ambition.”
For the Miami founders and creatives in the room, the night was a call to action. In a city that thrives at the intersection of culture, community, and, as Rick Ross immortalized, “hustle,” Black Ambition’s Demo Day empowered many ideas in the room.
