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For many people, their first introduction to Teyana Taylor was during her appearance on MTVâs âMy Super Sweet 16âł in 2007. For nearly two decades since the episodeâs release, the Harlem native has blossomed into one of todayâs top multi-hyphenates as a singer, dancer, actress, creative director â you name it. Taylor has found great success in all of her endeavors. However, the early stage of her career as a teenager appears to have started off on rocky ground.
Apr 24, 2023
Back in 2022, Felecia Hatcher shared with AfroTech that the 2023 Black Ambition Prize was on its way. Now, she and Pharrell Williamsâ nonprofit initiative has returned with not only the prize competition but also a new program for Black and brown entrepreneurs.
Mar 1, 2023
Pharrellâs Black Ambition has yet to cease supporting current and former HBCU students. In 2021, AfroTech reported on Spelman alumna Mya Havard and her co-founders being awarded $100,000 to help more people buy Black. Now, Black Ambition has backed another HBCU alumna, except this one is supporting student-parents.
Nov 2, 2022
As an innovator of the culture as we know it today, Pharrell has racked up quite the collection over the years. Now, the 49-year-old entertainer says everything must go in an exclusive auction of some of his most personal valuables. âMy business manager was like, âHey, at this point, you have 11 different storage units,'â said Pharrell in an interview with Financial Times. He has keepsakes that include everything from a leather jacket featuring âWomenâs Rightsâ across the front to a gold-plated Blackberry.
Sep 29, 2022
Pharrell Williams has added a new investment to his growing portfolio. The music mastermindâs nonprofit Black Ambition has invested in Trend â a curated content creator network â according to The Hollywood Reporter.
Jul 14, 2022
Pharrell is committed to exposing underserved youth to educational opportunities, especially in tech. The music vetâs education equity nonprofit YELLOW has teamed up with Cisco for YELLOWHAB â a microschool set to provide educational tools and technologies â Complex reports.
Jun 16, 2022
Pharrell Williams is taking a look at the bigger picture with the growth of blockchain technology. At VeeCon 2022 â the first-ever NFT -ticketed conference â the music mogul shared with attendees his belief that Web3 could possibly hold the power to create real global change, Decrypt reports.
May 26, 2022
In 2021, producer-turned-entrepreneur Pharrell made the news because of his decision to open up private schools for low-income students. The Virginia native has frequently spoken up for those without a voice and has given back to his community as well. âIf the system is fixed and unfair, then it needs to be broken,â he said about his investment. âWe donât want lockstep learning where so many kids fall behind; we want bespoke learning designed for each child, where the things that make a child different are the same things that will make a child rise up and take flight.â Since that time, Pharrell and his vision continue to be impactful. According to WAVY-TV, other companies have helped take up his cause with the Virginia school system, as well. In February 2022, Virginia Natural Gas made a huge donation to the schools â to the tune of $100,000 â with the proceeds going to fund healthy food options as part of the âNourish Youthâ initiative. âWe support programs that enrich the...
Apr 6, 2022
Similar to fellow musicians, Pharrell Williams isnât happy with the current state of the music industry. In an interview with Bloomberg TV, the music veteran was outspoken about how there are not enough leaders who look like him in the space calling the shots nor are there many who have ownership. âThereâs not enough Black leadership. Thereâs not enough leadership from people of color,â he firmly stated. âThereâs also not enough ownership â there just isnât. As much as the music industry has given me, when you really love something or love someone you can be honest about the things that could be better. I gotta say that the ownership with people of color itâs just not been the same. And thatâs something weâre working on now.â "There's not enough Black leadership. There's not enough leadership from people of color." Pharrell Williams on increasing Black ownership in the music industry https://t.co/ZhIDZ0kUMB pic.twitter.com/zCbIxZ3Mc1 â Bloomberg TV (@BloombergTV) March 22, 2022 The...
Mar 31, 2022
Pharrell is back with his latest competition to help teach the next generation of coders. Earlier this year, AfroTech reported that the legendary producer and his education equity nonprofit YELLOW partnered with Amazon and Georgia Institute of Technology for âYour Voice is Powerâ â an educational coding program for K-12 students. Now, Amazon, Pharrell and Georgia Tech have launched the âYour Voice is Powerâ 2022 music remix competition, according to an Amazon blog post. Coming in on its second year, the competition is continuing to teach underserved youth about coding and racial equity. âWorking with Amazon Future Engineer and Earsketch for âYour Voice Is Powerâ 2022 helps us to continue to EVEN THE ODDS within education, especially when it comes to racial equity,â said Pharrell. âItâs amazing to see the students completely immerse themselves in the curriculum, and to watch their coding sequences come to life. The cross-collaboration that happens when students share ideas and...
Dec 1, 2021
Earlier this year, Pharrell Williamsâ nonprofit YELLOW joined forces with Amazon Music and Georgia Institute of Technology to launch a new educational coding and music remix competition. After months of listening to over 1,500 student applicants across the U.S., five winners have been chosen. According to a blog post from Amazon, the âYour Voice is Powerâ program was created to encourage students to use their voices through music to amplify issues centered around social justice and equity while also learning how to code. The music competition instructed students to create their own remix to Pharrell and Jay-Zâs âEntrepreneurâ song using music coding platform EarSketch. As a result of the contest, five grand prize winners from schools in Georgia, Illinois, Florida, Texas, California, and Ontario were awarded either a $5,000 scholarship or grant to start their own business. Five teachers were also awarded a $1,000 cash reward for going above and beyond in teaching the program to their...
Aug 30, 2021
The last few weeks should make Pharrell fans very happy. The multi-hyphenate artist launched his Humanrace skincare line and released the gospel-music show âVoices of Fireâ on Netflix, and now he is helping Black and Latinx entrepreneurs. According to ESSENCE, Williams announced Black Ambition, a non-profit initiative that will support underserved entrepreneurs who are launching tech, design, healthcare, and consumer products/services startups. In addition, part of the initiative will include two competitions for investments, The Black Ambition HBCU Prize and The Black Ambition Prize. âWith 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,â Williams said in a statement. He added on Instagram, âWe see a future where ideas flourish, ruinous risk is diminished, and Black and Latinx entrepreneurs are positioned to realize Americaâs promise.â Â View this...
Dec 4, 2020
After years of fielding questions about his age-defying skin, Pharrell Williams is finally entering the beauty business with his own skincare brand, Humanrace . Allure spoke with the superstar hitmaker and fashion designers for exclusive details on the forthcoming collection, which includes three products: rice powder cleanser ($32), lotus enzyme exfoliant ($46), and humidifying cream ($48). Consulted by dermatologist Dr. Elena Jones, the three-step system is designed to prepare, repair, and protect the skin. âYou put on that humidifying cream,â he said. âYouâre like, âOh man, my skin is popping.ââ https://twitter.com/Pharrell/status/1326675632277745665?s=20 Pharrell, whose youthful look receives constant praise online and IRL, credits his obsession with skincare to the many women heâs quizzed, including Naomi Campbell. âTheyâd talk to me about their skin and the things that theyâd do. It varied between the different girls and campaigns that they had done and what they felt was...
Nov 12, 2020