Welcome to this clip of EYL, where we dive deep into the inspiring stories and groundbreaking initiatives shaping the world of entrepreneurship. In this clip, our hosts Rashad Bilal and Troy Millings sit down with the phenomenal Felecia Hatcher, the dynamic leader behind Black Ambition, a revolutionary initiative founded by Pharrell Williams.
**What is Black Ambition?**
Felecia Hatcher kicks off the discussion by explaining what Black Ambition is all about. Launched four years ago by Pharrell Williams, Black Ambition aims to create uninterrupted opportunities for Black, Hispanic, and HBCU entrepreneurs. The initiative provides funding, community contacts, resources, and support, ensuring that these entrepreneurs can achieve their dreams without the constant interruptions and setbacks typically encountered.
**Inspiration from Lovecraft Country**
Felecia shares a compelling anecdote from her first conversation with Pharrell, inspired by a scene from the HBO show Lovecraft Country. The powerful question posed in the show, “Who were you uninterrupted?” becomes a central theme for Black Ambition. The goal is to help entrepreneurs envision and build a future where they can operate without obstacles, constantly moving forward with a green light at every intersection in their journey.
**Uninterrupted Pathways to Success**
The focus of Black Ambition is not only on helping entrepreneurs become better businesspeople but also on reducing the interruptions they face. By aligning all necessary resources and support, Black Ambition aims to provide a clear, unobstructed path to success, enabling entrepreneurs to thrive and scale their businesses efficiently.
**Meeting of the Minds**
Troy Millings inquires about how Felecia and Pharrell aligned their visions and came together. Felecia recounts her journey of co-founding the Center for Black Innovation and building Black Tech Week. Her extensive work in Miami’s Black tech ecosystem eventually led Pharrell’s chief of staff to invite her to lead Black Ambition. Despite a rocky initial meeting, Felecia’s push-back and visionary ideas impressed Pharrell’s team, leading to her current role.
**Goals and Achievements**
Rashad Bilal highlights the ambitious goal of raising over $95 million to support 100 entrepreneurs. Felecia elaborates on the structured process of achieving this goal through a prize competition. Each year, Black Ambition identifies 250 entrepreneurs, who then undergo a rigorous three-month mentorship program. From this cohort, around 35 companies receive significant investments. To date, Black Ambition has invested in 101 entrepreneurs, who have collectively raised over $95 million.
**Expert Insights and Advice**
Drawing from her extensive experience with companies like Nintendo, Sony, Target, Disney, and Google, Felecia offers invaluable advice to aspiring entrepreneurs. She emphasizes the importance of not being intimidated by large corporations, noting that agility and quick decision-making are the secret weapons of small businesses.
Join us for this enlightening conversation as we delve into the visionary journey of Felecia Hatcher and learn about the impactful work of Black Ambition. This episode is a must-watch for anyone interested in entrepreneurship, innovation, and creating a more inclusive and supportive ecosystem for underrepresented communities.
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