The Tamesis
At the table across the room, guests included Lake Bell, Chloe Bailey, Ryan Destiny, Emma Grede, Arya Starr, Quenlin Blackwell, Sloane Stephens, Olandria Carthen and Winnie Harlow. When Grede, president of Fifteen Percent Pledge, pointed out the QR code on the official gala donation program, the ballroom immediately buzzed with phones, a small but telling moment that captured the collective spirit of the evening.
Grede later expanded on where she sees the greatest opportunities for black businesses. “It always comes back to creating the best product imaginable,” she said. “I encourage founders to think about their audience as broadly as possible. Community is important, but so is scale.”
Kelly Rowland arrived shortly after walking the carpet to present Tina Knowles with one of the night’s highest honors, recognizing her decades of commitment to elevating Black creatives and entrepreneurs. Knowles reflects on the realities of entrepreneurship with characteristic humor and candor. “I’ve done everything from CEO to janitor,” she told us Fashion. “It takes a special person to keep going. I just admire anyone who perseveres and builds something of their own.”
Athlete and founder Sloane Stephens talks about the role public figures can play and her self-care brand Doc & Glo reflects her own focus on health. “Even small acts of support matter,” she points out. “Following, retweeting, attending events like this. That can all translate into real visibility and growth.” Musician Chloe Bailey echoes this momentum among emerging creatives. “Music feels urgent again,” she said. “There’s a lot going on in the world and artists are reacting to it. The energy is inspiring.”
The evening also included tangible support for the founders. Sephora executive Priya Venkatesh presented the annual Sephora Beauty Grant, awarding $100,000 to Maed Beauty founder Denise Vasi to strengthen retail’s role in expanding capital and shelf space.
Throughout the evening, James returned to a central theme: community as infrastructure. She acknowledged the funding challenges many nonprofits face while encouraging attendees to stay engaged. “We are here because we believe in each other,” she said as she addressed the room. “Honestly, that’s how change happens.”
The celebrations extended beyond the evening party. This weekend’s 15% Pledge Block Party at Paramount Studios invites the public to shop Black-owned brands including Brandon Blackwood, Brother Vellies, Cécred, Danessa Myricks Beauty, Harlem Candle Company, Jo Phillipe and Sami Miró Vintage. Events included founder panels, book signings, beauty tutorials, astrology readings, food trucks and adoption events, reinforcing the commitment’s goal of creating lasting economic impact rather than just awareness.
“Everyone should have the same opportunities, but the reality is that black founders often don’t,” emphasizes actor Dree Hemingway. “This weekend, and especially the block party, really shines a light on designers and entrepreneurs who might not otherwise get this level of visibility.”
If this gala showed anything, it’s that the momentum for black entrepreneurship continues, even as corporate priorities change. The fifteen percent commitment remains focused on expanding opportunity, building infrastructure and ensuring visibility translates into lasting economic growth.
