Pharrell Williams was honored with the key to Miami-Dade County during the 5th Annual Black Ambition Demo Day on Nov. 14, recognizing his influence on the city’s cultural landscape and his support for Black innovation. Mayor Daniella Levine Cava presented the honor at Sacred Space Miami, celebrating Pharrell’s work across nightlife, business, and community development.
The recognition highlighted his impact through venues like Swan and Strawberry Moon, as well as Black Ambition, the nonprofit he launched in 2020 to close wealth and opportunity gaps for Black, Hispanic, and underresourced founders. “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 also honored CEO Felecia Hatcher and brought together founders, investors, and artists, including a surprise performance from Chance the Rapper. In a fireside chat with Mellody Hobson, Pharrell discussed his upbringing, struggles with ADHD, and the need for economic empowerment: “We can’t just be the inspiration for American capitalism; we need to start capitalizing on that.”
Black Ambition, as noted by The Miami Herald, connects entrepreneurs with capital, mentorship, and corporate partners. This year’s conference distributed $1 million to 25 winners out of 25,000 applicants. Hatcher emphasized the importance of access, trust-building, and community for Black founders in South Florida, noting that the region holds deep pools of underrecognized tech talent.
