How Pharrel Williams Cares About Education

Pharrell Williams with students at a Virginia Beach summer camp. 

Photo By Jada Green / REDLYNN GROUP

We know Pharrell Williams as a pioneer and maestro in music, with his irresistible grooves and rhythms that are considered timeless classics. From producing groundbreaking records such as Noreaga's "Superthug" in 1998 to creating Grammy-winning songs like "Happy," Pharrell has been providing soundtracks for our lives for the past two decades. Even in fashion, Pharrell has a keen eye for shapeshifting designs and clothing pieces. Calling Pharrell a visionary doesn't fully capture his stature, as he is a creative force in many industries.But one thing to highlight about the 13-time Grammy winner is his concern for education and the arts for future generations.

Founded in 2020 during the tragedy of the Covid-19 pandemic and the midst of racial injustice protests, Pharrell Williams and CEO Felecia Hatcher birthed Black Ambition, a non-profit initiative to empower Black and Latinx individuals in their entrepreneurial endeavors. Whether it's in healthcare, education, tech startups, consumer products, or design, Black Ambition aims to fund bold ideas. The goal is to reduce barriers to capital and bridge the wealth gap through entrepreneurship. The American dream has always included being an entrepreneur, but it's not as clear of a vision for marginalized communities who have long faced barriers due to limited resources and knowledge to launch their businesses.

Image of Hamilton Perkins, CEO of Hamilton Perkins Collection, Aurora Diaz, Founder of The Jefas, Arielle Brown, founder of Bea’s Bayou® Skincare, Kristina Taylor, Founder of KT Winery, Tendaji Inc, Portia D. Founder of Barbella, Anastasia Jackson, Founder and CEO of WeNite Inc., and Jenaba Sow, Co-Founder and CFO of WeNite Inc. for HBCU Prize Winners (from left to right)

"Recent events and tragedies have highlighted the existing stark divisions in the American experience, and while entrepreneurship has long been a tenet of the American dream, marginalized people have faced long standing barriers to success," said Pharrell Williams. "With Black Ambition, the goal is to help strengthen the pipeline of talented entrepreneurs and close the opportunity and wealth gaps resulting from limited access to capital and resources."

Black Ambition also partners with Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) to provide resources and mentorship to prize winners, helping bring their ideas to life. WeNite, a tech company, was one of the contestants in Black Ambition that won the HBCU prize. At WeNite, our mission is to propel HBCUs forward by solving the frustrations that students, alumni, and faculty have faced for years. We understand the challenges of losing documentative information for classes, admissions, financial aid, and more. That's why we've developed an AI-centered technology that streamlines workflows, data, and documents, making HBCUs more efficient.

Our innovative solution alleviates administrative burdens and improves overall productivity within HBCUs, ultimately enhancing the educational experience for students, faculty, and staff. Our AI-driven solutions at WeNite not only enhance efficiency and reduce human error, but also secure and simplify access to crucial information in areas like financial aid and admissions. By reducing administrative burdens, we enable students and faculty to focus more on academic and research pursuits, enriching the overall educational experience. Our forward-thinking approach goes beyond immediate problem-solving; we're committed to ensuring that HBCUs remain at the forefront of educational technology and innovation. Through WeNite's AI-driven solutions, we're reshaping the educational ecosystem of HBCUs, fostering a future where these institutions are renowned for both their academic excellence and administrative prowess, ultimately benefiting the broader communities they serve.

But the philanthropy doesn't stop there for this multi-hyphenate artist. In 2008, he started a non-profit organization called "From One Hand to Another," which offers a six-week summer program for children from low-income families, focusing on science, technology, and the arts. In an interview with HuffPost, Pharrell's mother, Dr. Carolyn Williams, who is also involved with the foundation, states, "Pharrell was motivated to use his gifts and talents by his teachers, and he wants to show the youth that they too can find their own gifts and be successful. He is the first to say, 'The most important thing that we can instill in our youth is education. It is the connection to everything.' Every child succeeds if given the right tools and resources, so together we can make a difference, From One Hand To Another."

Additionally, Pharrell also established his own tuition-free private school, called Yellowhab, in 2021. The school caters to third to sixth-grade students from low-income families and is located in his home state of Virginia. It's safe to say that Pharrell understands the importance of education and how it shapes future generations by making it more accessible.

Pharrell's commitment to education is evident in his various philanthropic initiatives. From his non-profit organization "From One Hand to Another" to the establishment of his own tuition-free school, Yellowhab, Pharrell recognizes the transformative power of education. He believes in providing opportunities and resources to marginalized communities, ensuring that every child has the tools they need to succeed. Through his dedication to education, Pharrell is making a lasting impact on the lives of young people and shaping a brighter future for generations to come.