Pharrell’s Mighty Dream Forum Could Make for an “Unforgettable November”

Black BRAND co-founder and chairman Blair Durham said she’s encouraged and optimistic as entrepreneurial platforms such as the Mighty Dream Forum come to town next month to shine a light on successful minority businesses while providing learning opportunities. , financial capital and social commitment.

“This is truly going to be an unforgettable November for small businesses in Hampton Roads,” Durham said. “I see Mighty Dream Forum as something that is truly solution-based and forward-thinking.”

Black BRAND is the region’s nonprofit black chamber of commerce. The Mighty Dream Forum, taking place Nov. 1-3 in downtown Norfolk, is the brainchild of Grammy-winning musician and Virginia Beach native Pharrell Williams.

This is a follow-up to Williams’ Elephant in the Room forum on corporate diversity and inclusion held at Norfolk State University last October.

The multi-day gathering, aimed at shining a national spotlight on inclusion and innovation, will feature food from 30 local restaurants, music, art and networking.

Durham said Black BRAND is hosting a $25,000 pitch contest sponsored by Ikea, arranging vendors and curating a 757 Discovery Bag.

“There has never been a better time to do business with the availability of resources and platforms of interest like these,” Durham said.

Robby Wells, executive producer of the forum, said it was clear to Williams and his team that if everyone is working towards progress, they need to come together every year to accelerate it. While some companies are fully seizing the diversity opportunity, others have been slower to embrace the principles for a number of reasons, he said.

“No matter where your business falls on this spectrum, you should emerge from Mighty Dream equipped with knowledge and inspired to seize opportunities to think about business and the future differently,” Wells said. “There is no downside; these are table stakes for the future.

More than 60 different regional and national speakers, including civic and business leaders, venture capitalists, entrepreneurs, artists, community organizers, educators and innovators, will all join the conversation to share ideas and inspire others.

Monique Adams, executive director of 757 Angels, said she will participate in a panel discussion on how entrepreneurs can access capital and find helpful resources.

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“The success of our initiatives depends on raising awareness and broader engagement,” Adams said. “The Mighty Dream Forum acts as an accelerator of the momentum we already have and will bring to light in a timely manner the culture, resources, access to capital, talent and businesses needed to support entrepreneurs on their journey. “

Adams said 757 Collab, the parent organization home to 757 Accelerate, 757 Angels, and 757 Startup Studios, is very intentional when it comes to inclusion, noting that 84% of the companies they’ve helped have an underrepresented founder in the company. suite C, the highest level of management. .

757 Accelerate’s annual free community event will take place from 5-7 p.m. on November 3 at the Granby Theater in conjunction with the Mighty Dream Forum.

“We believe our region has a large pool of visionary color founders creating disruptive technologies and products,” she said.

Adams said the Mighty Dream Forum will amplify the region’s incredible assets, resources, lifestyle and culture to create more innovative businesses and well-paying jobs. And it will also increase awareness and build connectivity with market makers to make the region more attractive to people of color who want to start and grow a business in 757, she said.

For more information, visit mightydreamforum.com.

Sandra J. Pennecke, 757-652-5836, sandra.pennecke@insidebiz.com