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Pharrell, we’ve got some questions.
Is there a twin we don’t know about? A clone? Something that would explain why you never seem to take a day?
Black Ambition. OTHERtone. Humanrace. The Netflix docuseries “Voices of Fire.” All Pharrell-helmed, each of these projects debuted over the last week or so. Months or even a year’s worth of creativity was unleashed on the world in the span of a few days.
I need a nap just reading about it all, but here he is, living the revolving-door life of a man who is churning out constant successes.
We’ve called him Pharrell, the unstoppable before, but the man who has given us hundreds of the most popular songs ever written, and critically acclaimed music festival to boost, has pushed past unstoppable and reached unquenchable status. Simply put, the Virginia Beach native is a light that seemingly cannot be snuffed as he continues his quest to change the world for good.
His latest project, Black Ambition, is a nonprofit that seeks to “provide a bridge to success for Black and Latinx entrepreneurs who are launching tech, design, healthcare, and consumer products/services start-ups.” Not everyone has the same chance at success, Pharrell said in a news release about the organization, and he intends to change that.
“Recent events and tragedies have illustrated the always existent 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,” he said in the release. “With 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.”
His first move is partnering with HBCUs to offer prizes and mentorship for current and former students developing seed or early-stage ideas, and to launch companies in tech, design, healthcare, and consumer products and services.
There are two grand prizes up for grabs, up to $1 million in funding for Black and Latinx entrepreneurs and up to $250,000 for HBCU students. Anyone interested in the program is invited to apply online at blackambitionprize.com.
In a video conference call hosted by Pharrell on Tuesday, Norfolk State University President Javaune Adams-Gaston called the nonprofit a game-changer for HBCUs, including NSU.
“It gives our brilliant students an opportunity that they might not otherwise have. In fact, I can assure you they would probably not have this experience,” she told Pharrell on the call.
Last week, baby-faced Pharrell shared his skincare regimen with the world by way of Humanrace, a collection of health care products that ultimately removes gender stereotypes from conversations about skin creams.
At publication, the product line — a cleanser made from rice powder and geranium, an exfoliator bolstered by lotus enzymes and snow fungus humidifying cream — is sold out. Yes, Pharrell moisturizes his skin with mushrooms, apparently. Once restocked, you can purchase the products at humanrace.com.
For fans of his former Apple Music radio show OTHERtone, he’s bringing the show back as a podcast with co-hosts Scott Vener and Norfolk hip-hop legend Fam-Lay. Starting Monday, the trio will kick it with a slew of who’s-hot guests, including Something In the Water alum Rosalia, Zendaya, Kenya Barris, Harmony Korine, Malcolm Gladwell and more.
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Then, of course, there’s the gospel choir. Debuting just before Thanksgiving, the Netflix series gives insight to how Pharrell and his uncle found the most beautiful voices in Virginia to create their revolutionary choir.
His latest endeavors come on the coattails of his very public role in shaping state policies and working toward eradicating inequality this summer. Did you get an education on Juneteenth this year or getting the holiday off next year? Thank Pharrell.
He cares about the environment, too.
Over the summer, his creative collective I AM OTHER unveiled the Pebble by Otherware, a sustainable set of silverware (fork, knife, spoon, and straw and set of chopsticks) that comes housed in a case made suitably from recycled CDs.
Now, we wait for Pharrell to launch whatever product line that keeps him at peak performance every day of his life. That’s something we all could use a little of.
Amy Poulter, 757-446-2705, amy.poulter@pilotonline.com