Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Felecia Hatcher.

Purpose of the Interview
To spotlight Black Ambition, a national initiative founded by Pharrell Williams that funds and mentors Black and Brown entrepreneurs.
To share insights on entrepreneurship, access to resources, and strategies for scaling businesses.
To inspire and educate small business owners and innovators on how to leverage opportunities for growth.

Key Takeaways


About Black Ambition
Founded by Pharrell Williams to close the opportunity gap for Black and Hispanic entrepreneurs.
Provides capital, mentorship, and masterclasses to help founders scale.
Has invested in 131 companies and awarded millions in funding.


Competition Structure
Annual national competition with 2,500–3,000 applications.
Categories include HBCU, National Finalists, Top Prize Winner, People’s Choice.
Process: Applications → 250 semifinalists → 3-month cohort → Demo Day for top 20–25 companies.


Unique Approach
Focus on high-quality mentorship, not “low vibrational” guidance.
Includes mental health and wellness support for entrepreneurs.
Partnerships with brands like Louis Vuitton for luxury retail insights.


Challenges for Entrepreneurs
Many fail by rushing applications and skipping info sessions.
Success requires clarity, traction, and persistence—sometimes multiple attempts.
Black women are the fastest-growing entrepreneurs but often remain solopreneurs; Black Ambition prioritizes team-building.


Pharrell’s Motivation
Believes in democratizing opportunity: “Talent is not equally distributed by zip code, but opportunity can be.”
Inspired by those who believed in him early in his career.


Felecia Hatcher’s Journey
Former founder of Center for Black Innovation and Black Tech Week.
Emphasizes resilience: “I’m a C student and a college dropout, but I never let that define me.”
Advocates for creative pathways to success and capital access.

Notable Quotes
“Success leaves clues.” – On learning from past winners.
“Talent is not equally distributed by zip code, but opportunity can be.” – Pharrell’s guiding principle.
“If it doesn’t work on you in that moment, it works for you in that moment. Either way, it works.” – On persistence.
“We have to start enjoying the process… be stretched, be cut by the process.” – On entrepreneurial growth.
“Wealth has a need for speed.” – On urgency in closing the wealth gap.

#SHMS #STRAW #BEST

Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Felecia Hatcher.
<hr>
Purpose of the Interview
<ul>
<li>To spotlight Black Ambition, a national initiative founded by Pharrell Williams that funds and mentors Black and Brown entrepreneurs.</li>
<li>To share insights on entrepreneurship, access to resources, and strategies for scaling businesses.</li>
<li>To inspire and educate small business owners and innovators on how to leverage opportunities for growth.</li>
</ul>
<hr>
Key Takeaways
<ol>
<li>
About Black Ambition
<ul>
<li>Founded by Pharrell Williams to close the opportunity gap for Black and Hispanic entrepreneurs.</li>
<li>Provides capital, mentorship, and masterclasses to help founders scale.</li>
<li>Has invested in 131 companies and awarded millions in funding.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>
Competition Structure
<ul>
<li>Annual national competition with 2,500&ndash;3,000 applications.</li>
<li>Categories include HBCU, National Finalists, Top Prize Winner, People&rsquo;s Choice.</li>
<li>Process: Applications &rarr; 250 semifinalists &rarr; 3-month cohort &rarr; Demo Day for top 20&ndash;25 companies.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>
Unique Approach
<ul>
<li>Focus on high-quality mentorship, not &ldquo;low vibrational&rdquo; guidance.</li>
<li>Includes mental health and wellness support for entrepreneurs.</li>
<li>Partnerships with brands like Louis Vuitton for luxury retail insights.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>
Challenges for Entrepreneurs
<ul>
<li>Many fail by rushing applications and skipping info sessions.</li>
<li>Success requires clarity, traction, and persistence&mdash;sometimes multiple attempts.</li>
<li>Black women are the fastest-growing entrepreneurs but often remain solopreneurs; Black Ambition prioritizes team-building.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>
Pharrell&rsquo;s Motivation
<ul>
<li>Believes in democratizing opportunity: &ldquo;Talent is not equally distributed by zip code, but opportunity can be.&rdquo;</li>
<li>Inspired by those who believed in him early in his career.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>
Felecia Hatcher&rsquo;s Journey
<ul>
<li>Former founder of Center for Black Innovation and Black Tech Week.</li>
<li>Emphasizes resilience: &ldquo;I&rsquo;m a C student and a college dropout, but I never let that define me.&rdquo;</li>
<li>Advocates for creative pathways to success and capital access.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ol>
<hr>
Notable Quotes
<ul>
<li>&ldquo;Success leaves clues.&rdquo; &ndash; On learning from past winners.</li>
<li>&ldquo;Talent is not equally distributed by zip code, but opportunity can be.&rdquo; &ndash; Pharrell&rsquo;s guiding principle.</li>
<li>&ldquo;If it doesn&rsquo;t work on you in that moment, it works for you in that moment. Either way, it works.&rdquo; &ndash; On persistence.</li>
<li>&ldquo;We have to start enjoying the process&hellip; be stretched, be cut by the process.&rdquo; &ndash; On entrepreneurial growth.</li>
<li>&ldquo;Wealth has a need for speed.&rdquo; &ndash; On urgency in closing the wealth gap.</li>
</ul>
<hr>
#SHMS #STRAW #BEST

Hi, this is Rushion McDonald. Welcome to the podcast world of Money Making Conversations Master Class. I interview profits and nonprofits to learn their "Secrets to Success."  I'm a former IBM Executive with a degree in Mathematics. I started my entrepreneurial career as a stand-up comic, then became a sitcom writer, award-winning baker, social media influencer, award-winning television Executive Producer, and brand architect for super-successful celebrities and products. Money Making Conversations Master Class interviews a diverse group of celebrities, entrepreneurs, and influencers in the financial and business community with their advice and tips so you can be successful, too. It's time to stop reading other people's success stories and start building your own. People always talk about their purpose or gifts. If you have a gift, Lead with your Gift, and don't let your friends, family, or co-workers stop you from planning or living your dream. Keep Winning!

https://www.moneymakingconversations.com

https://www.youtube.com/MoneyMakingConversations

https://www.facebook.com/MoneyMakingConversations/

https://twitter.com/moneymakingconv

https://www.instagram.com/moneymakingconversations/

Hi, this is Rushion McDonald. Welcome to the podcast world of Money Making Conversations Master Class. I interview profits and nonprofits to learn their "Secrets to Success."  I'm a former IBM Executive with a degree in Mathematics. I started my entrepreneurial career as a stand-up comic, then became a sitcom writer, award-winning baker, social media influencer, award-winning television Executive Producer, and brand architect for super-successful celebrities and products. Money Making Conversations Master Class interviews a diverse group of celebrities, entrepreneurs, and influencers in the financial and business community with their advice and tips so you can be successful, too. It's time to stop reading other people's success stories and start building your own. People always talk about their purpose or gifts. If you have a gift, Lead with your Gift, and don't let your friends, family, or co-workers stop you from planning or living your dream. Keep Winning!
https://www.moneymakingconversations.com
https://www.youtube.com/MoneyMakingConversations
https://www.facebook.com/MoneyMakingConversations/
https://twitter.com/moneymakingconv
https://www.instagram.com/moneymakingconversations/

Money Making Conversations Master Class

Overcoming the Odds: She was a C student and a college dropout, but she is the CEO of Black Ambition.

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/ed5b820f-6f3f-458e-aad4-b399017812ba/transcript