Pharrell Williams awarded over 30 Black and Latinx business founders funding of at least $15,000, with the grand prize winner earning $1 million.
Through his non-profit, Black Ambition Pharrell announced the winners of the Black Ambition HBCU Prize.
The Black Ambition $1 million grand prize was awarded to Justin Turk of Livegistics for his company, Replaces paper with technology to bridge the gap between civil construction, demolition, waste management and logistics.
The HBCU grand prize of $250,000 was awarded to Kadidja Dosso of Dosso Beauty and nine other teams also received prizes of more than $100,000, while all 34 finalists were given awards of no less than $15,000.
“These are the founders I dreamed would represent Black Ambition,” Pharrell said in a statement. “Today we celebrate their determination, resourcefulness, and creativity. Because of Black Ambition, the world will be much more equitable. More people of color can pursue their ventures and get what they need to thrive. There’s been too much disparity and discrimination. Black Ambition will continue to create and push for more seats at the table, so that your talent, not your color, determines your results.”