So Ambitious
Hosted by Black Ambition CEO Felecia Hatcher, So Ambitious is a series about what's possible when Black and Hispanic entrepreneurs can build uninterrupted. From the tech founder to the creative entrepreneur, So Ambitious tells the stories of the people building, creating, and organizing - against all odds, with authenticity, and in community. Their stories propel the conversation about ambition beyond money, titles, or vanity metrics and dive into details of what it takes to do impactful, transformative work with longevity.
Episodes
407: Built Without Access: How Underrepresented Entrepreneurs Create What They’re Not Given
In this So Ambitious compilation, Black founders break down what it really takes to create opportunity when doors don’t open for you. This episode explores the internal mindset shifts required to overcome limiting beliefs, the reality of being judged in high-stakes rooms, and the discipline it takes to build systems that last. This is also a compilation blueprint for building access on your own te
406: What Social Impact Leaders Know About Capital That Founders Don’t | Asha Walker &, Valencia Gunder
In this episode, Felecia Hatcher welcomes Asha Walker (Health In The Hood) and Valencia Gunder (The Smile Trust), who break down what it really means to build community, create impact, and redefine wealth from the ground up.
From urban farming to feeding the unhoused, from climate justice to access to technology, these founders share how they turned lived experiences into scalable solutions that
405: Jeff Johnson on Supporting Black Men Entrepreneurs Without Ignoring Their Humanity
In this episode of So Ambitious, Jeff Johnson breaks down what it really means to lead, build, and evolve as a founder, especially as a Black entrepreneur navigating identity, capital, and visibility.
From building in media and activism to advising leaders across industries, Jeff shares hard truths about performance vs authenticity, founder identity, mental health, and the hidden cost of success.
404: President of America’s Largest Black-Owned Bank Teri Williams on Ownership, Wealth and Legacy
What does it take to build generational wealth when the system was never built for you?
Today, Felecia Hatcher welcomes Teri Williams, Owner and President of OneUnited Bank, who shares how she helped build the largest Black-owned bank in the United States and what it really takes to create lasting financial impact.
From acquiring struggling banks to losing $50 million in a single day and buildin
403: Body Language Secrets That Close Million Dollar Deals | Linda Clemons
What if your body is speaking louder than your words… and costing you deals, influence, and opportunities?
For today’s episode of So Ambitious, global body language expert and sales strategist Linda Clemons joins Felecia Hatcher to unravel how founders can master nonverbal communication, presence, and emotional intelligence to win in business, leadership, and life.
From decoding micro-expression
402: Black Ambition Prize Founders on Transforming Real Problems Into Scalable Business
What separates a good idea from a scalable business?
In this episode of So Ambitious, Black Ambition Prize founders D’Angelo Senat (AllPeep), Barbara Jacques (JACQ’S Skincare), and LaToya Stirrup (Kamzaleje) break down how they turned real-life problems into high-impact, fundable companies rooted in community, culture, and purpose.
From building products that didn’t exist for them to navigating
401: How Aisha Bowe Turns "Impossible" Goals Into Repeatable Millions
In this powerful episode of So Ambitious, Aisha Bowe shares how she went from a 2.3 GPA student to a NASA rocket scientist, entrepreneur, and commercial astronaut.
This is not just a story about space.
It is about rewriting the narrative when the world tells you what you cannot do.
Aisha breaks down how self-doubt becomes your biggest barrier, why “automatic negative thinking” keeps founders s
When Black Founders Win, Systems Change | Season 4 Trailer
What happens when ambition is backed by access, community, and purpose?
Welcome to Season 4 of So Ambitious, the podcast powered by Pharrell Williams’ Black Ambition Prize and hosted by Felecia Hatcher. This new season brings you inside the real stories of Black and Brown founders who are not just building businesses, but shifting systems, creating access, and redefining what success looks like.
Black Ambition Prize Winners on Funding, Scaling, and Overcoming Setbacks | Founder Series
In this special compilation episode of So Ambitious, hear directly from founders who have won funding through the Black Ambition Prize — and what it really takes to build, scale, and grow after securing capital.
If you are a Black or Brown entrepreneur looking for funding for your startup, this episode is a masterclass in what happens before, during, and after winning a pitch competition. These f
310: Build Your Founder Muscle: Resilience, Failing Forward & the Grit to Keep Going
Entrepreneurship is not just about strategy. It is about resilience, self-forgiveness, and learning how to move forward after mistakes, losses, burnout, and rejection. This compilation episode is about having the inner strength required to survive and grow as a founder, and captures the emotional reality behind the journey and the lessons learned through experience.
Discover how founders fail for
309: Ambition Without Permission: Founders Who Built Their Own Lanes (Compilation)
This Best-Of episode spotlights founders who stopped waiting for permission and chose to build anyway.
These stories highlight what happens when creators are overlooked, underestimated, or even excluded from traditional systems. Instead of fitting into spaces that were not built for them, they created their own ecosystems rooted in ownership, culture, and authenticity.
You’ll hear how conviction
308: Love Is the Investment Thesis: Lessons From 8-Figure Investment Decisions | Liz Thompson
Liz Thompson is an investor, philanthropist, and CEO of the Café Group, whose story embodies ambition, faith, and love in action. From her beginnings in Chicago’s Cabrini Green to co-founding Cleveland Avenue with her husband, former McDonald’s CEO Don Thompson, Liz has built a legacy around pouring into people and proving that love is a strategy for leadership, not a sentiment.
In this inspiring
307: Tiffany "The Budgetnista" Aliche on Losing Everything to Find Yourself: Lessons After $300,000 in Debt
Tiffany Aliche, better known as The Budgetnista, built a multimillion-dollar empire rooted in transparency, discipline, and service. From being scammed out of $35,000 and sleeping on her sister’s couch to leading a global financial education movement, Tiffany’s story is a masterclass in rebuilding, resilience, and radical integrity.
In this episode of So Ambitious, Tiffany joins host Felecia Hatc
306: One Vision, One Weekend, 50,000 People: Michael Barclay on Scaling Essence Festival and Cultural Legacy
Michael Barclay is the Chief Events Officer of Sundial Media Group, the company behind the Essence Festival of Culture – one of the largest and longest-running cultural events in the world. From managing a $10 billion finance portfolio to orchestrating global experiences that celebrate Black joy, Michael’s career proves what happens when passion meets precision.
In this episode of So Ambitious, M
305: The Hidden Cost of Ambition: Candace Washington on Founder Mental Health
Candace Washington is a licensed psychotherapist, Air Force veteran, production therapist, and author whose journey embodies resilience, transformation, and purpose. From surviving suicide attempts and battling alcoholism to walking away from a federal career and choosing her own healing, Candace has built a thriving practice where she now serves high performers, creatives, and entrepreneurs at th
304: The Future of Music is AI: How Black Creators Can Win the Next Creative Era
What happens when two visionary creators collide at the intersection of comedy, technology, and music?
In this episode of So Ambitious, host Felicia Hatcher sits down with Zayd Portillo (creatrgd) and King Willonius, creator of “BBL Drizzy”, to unpack their journeys in tech, AI, and cultural innovation.
From viral comedy hits to groundbreaking AI music, Zayd and King are pushing boundaries on h
303: The Internet Was Built on Black Culture, Alphonzo Terrell Says It’s Time We Own It
Alphonzo "Phonz" Terrell, co-founder and CEO of Spill, is rewriting what it means to build community online. From his early days in music and media to leading social strategy at HBO and Twitter, Alphonzo’s journey embodies the intersection of culture, entrepreneurship, and advocacy. After being laid off during Twitter’s transition, he transformed a setback into an opportunity by launching Spill: a
302: The Unusual Pairing - Ingrid Best on Building Space for Black Women in Luxury & Wine
Welcome back!
In this inspiring episode of So Ambitious, we sit down with Ingrid Best, founder of IBest Wines, to unpack her bold journey from corporate spirits executive to visionary wine entrepreneur. Ingrid reveals how her time in South Africa unlocked her creative superpower, why she walked away at the height of her career to launch her own brand, and how she’s rewriting the rules of storyte
301: The $15 Trillion Opportunity: Protecting Black Culture & Ownership | Lanny Smith, Tommy Johnson
Our culture is being packaged, praised, and profited from without ever being protected. Until now.
In this Season 3 premiere of So Ambitious, host Felecia Hatcher sits down with two visionary founders reshaping the way we think about ownership, culture, and commerce.
🏗️ Lanny Smith, founder of Actively Black, built a purpose-driven athleisure brand with its own Black-owned supply chain, sourcing
We've Been The Culture. Now It's Time to Own It | So Ambitious Season 3
This season, it’s about ownership. Because ambition doesn’t need permission.
Welcome to Season 3 of So Ambitious - the award-winning podcast from Pharrell Williams’ Black Ambition Prize, hosted by Felecia Hatcher. This season, we’re amplifying the stories of founders who are building uninterrupted - from tech innovators to creative entrepreneurs - all defying the odds and reimagining what’s possi
Because Ambition Doesn't Need Permission | Official Trailer | So Ambitious Season 3
This season, it’s about ownership. Because ambition doesn’t need permission.
Welcome to Season 3 of So Ambitious - the award-winning podcast from Pharrell Williams’ Black Ambition Prize, hosted by Felecia Hatcher. This season, we’re amplifying the stories of founders who are building uninterrupted - from tech innovators to creative entrepreneurs - all defying the odds and reimagining what’s possi
Best of Entrepreneurial Advice for Innovators from Founders
Dive into some of the top entrepreneurial advice from our lineup of innovative founders in this special Best Of episode. Discover the secrets to their success as we feature their invaluable insights and strategies that have propelled their ventures forward. From navigating the complexities of startup life to pioneering new industries, these inspiring founders offer a wealth of knowledge for aspiri
Best of What Success & Black Ambition Looks Like
Celebrate the extraordinary spirit of Black ambition in another special "Best Of" episode, where we highlight what true success looks like through the eyes of our lineup of remarkable founders. Tune in as our guests share powerful stories of their journeys, reflecting on the challenges they've faced and the victories they've achieved.
This episode is a tribute to the relentless pursuit of dreams,
Best of Navigating & Embracing Entrepreneurial Failure
Explore the transformative power of embracing entrepreneurial failure in this special "Best Of" episode, where we delve into the journeys of entrepreneurs who turned their setbacks into stepping stones toward success. Join us as our guests share candid stories of their toughest challenges, the lessons learned, and how embracing failure propelled them toward greater heights in their journey.
Tune
Best of The Good, Bad, and Ugly Parts of Entrepreneurship
Join us for a special episode featuring all the Good, Bad, and Ugly Parts of Entrepreneurship! Discover how these founders overcame doubt, racism, and financial challenges to build their successful business empire. Tune in for their inspiring stories, resilience, determination, and the power of not caring what others think.
KEY POINTS
- Ep 202: Pivot with Purpose: How Necole Kane Turned Failure
Best of Overcoming Doubts & Naysayers: The Power of Bold Belief in Black Ambition
Celebrate the indomitable spirit of Black ambition with this special “Best Of” episode, showcasing our founders’ unwavering power of bold belief in the face of doubts and naysayers! Tune in to discover riveting tales of resilience and triumph, as our guests share inspiring narratives of overcoming adversity on the path to success. Don't miss out on this uplifting journey of determination and achie
212. From College Parties to Empowering HBCUs: Corey Arvinger's Journey in Supporting Black Colleges
In this episode of the So Ambitious Podcast, host Felecia Hatcher sits down with Corey Arvinger, CEO of Support Black Colleges, to dive into his remarkable journey from college party promoter to the helm of a thriving e-commerce brand.
Corey shares insights into the evolution of Support Black Colleges and how it blossomed into a full-blown brand with a powerful message of support for historicall
211. Empowering Black Voices in the Fragrance World with Exalté Parfum Founder Funmi Monet
Today, we are joined by Funmi Monet, the brilliant mind behind Exalté Parfum, a groundbreaking perfume brand that has been making waves in the luxury perfume space. In this episode, Funmi shares her insights on navigating the fragrance industry, from the inception of her brand to its meteoric rise in the social media sphere. With a keen focus on community building and content creation, Funmi share
210. How One Man's Journey Led to Investing in 50 Companies with ACT House Founder Dominick Ard’is
In this episode of the So Ambitious Podcast, we dive into the dynamic journey of Dominick Ard’is, the innovative mind behind ACT House, a team formation platform, accelerator and VC providing tools and resources to founders to match with co-founders, build their team, and secure their first check.
From his upbringing as a military brat to his diverse career spanning management consulting, politic
209. Money, Privilege, and Advocacy: Ana Pompa Alarcón's Guide to Entrepreneurship and Social Justice in Tech
In this episode of So Ambitious, we are joined by Ana Pompa Alarcón, CEO of Founders Registry, as she shares her journey of advocating for marginalized founders and creating impactful solutions in the tech industry.
From her beginnings at Rikers Island to supporting our Black Ambition finalists, Ana's story is one of fierce advocacy, resilience, and empowerment. In this conversation we uncover ho
208. Vision to Victory: Evan Leaphart’s Road to Entrepreneurial Success & Million-Dollar Grant Win
In this episode, we sit down with Evan Leaphart, founder of Kiddie Kredit, co-founder of Black Men Talk Tech, and recent million-dollar grant recipient of the 43North accelerator program. With such a robust portfolio, what does it entail to lead not just one but two major initiatives that make such a significant impact on the world?
Discover how Kiddie Kredit is reshaping credit education by add
207. Shifting the Narrative on Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion with Amber Cabral
In this episode, we are joined by Amber Cabral, renowned DEI expert, author, entrepreneur, and founder of Cabral Co., as she brings us into the intricate world of diversity, equity, and inclusion, offering invaluable insights on creating genuinely inclusive spaces within organizations.
Drawing from her rich career budding from her impactful work at Walmart, Amber emphasizes the transformative powe
206. RICE and Shine: Cultivating Black Entrepreneurial Excellence with Jay Bailey
Jay Bailey started his first business at 12, bought his first house at 19, and made his first million at 23. But the true turning point in his narrative came when he chose significance over success, recognizing that the real impact lay in building enduring legacies for fellow Black entrepreneurs. This audacious decision marked a profound chapter in his story, reflecting a commitment to empower oth
205. Grown from Ground Up: Shannon Allen's Culinary Venture with a Purpose
Profound and enduring impact lies at the intersection of entrepreneurship and advocacy - and there is no better testament to this than the story of Shannon Allen.
Shannon Allen is the visionary founder of Grown, a healthy fast-casual restaurant franchise that has not only disrupted but redefined the culinary landscape in Miami. Shannon's story goes beyond entrepreneurship; it is a powerful testa
204. Beyond the Spicy Tweets: Brian Brackeen's Tech Odyssey from Philly to Lightship Capital
Although notoriously known as the King of Spicy Tweets, Brian Brackeen, seasoned entrepreneur and General Partner at Lightship Capital, has built a track record of raising billions in support of Black businesses and entrepreneurs, making waves that resonate far beyond the confines of 280 characters.
In this interview, Brian Brackeen provides an intimate look into his journey as he recounts the pi
203. Beats to Eats: Derrick Turton a.k.a. Chef Teach's Journey from Music Mogul to Mac & Cheese Maestro
Meet the man who made Mac & Cheese cool - Derrick Turton a.k.a. Chef Teach, went from managing music artists to becoming the culinary force behind the World Famous House of Mac in Miami. Renowned for his exceptional mac and cheese, Chef Teach's story is a testament to resilience, adaptation, and the pursuit of passion.
In this episode, Derrick imparts invaluable lessons learned from the music in
202. Pivot with Purpose: How Necole Kane Turned Failure Into Fuel for Success
[APPLICATIONS OPEN!] | Are you building a high growth business in tech healthcare, AI, media entertainment, or consumer goods and services? If so, we'd like to help you scale. Don't miss your chance to win $1 million, capital coaching, and access to an amazing community of diverse innovators! Apply for the 2024 Black Ambition Prize competition now
In this episode, Felecia Hatcher is joined by Ne
201. Who Are You Uninterrupted? Felecia Hatcher on Supporting Black Ambition Through Storytelling
[APPLICATIONS OPEN!] | Are you building a high growth business in tech healthcare, AI, media entertainment, or consumer goods and services? If so, we'd like to help you scale. Don't miss your chance to win $1 million, capital coaching, and access to an amazing community of diverse innovators! Apply for the 2024 Black Ambition Prize competition now
Imagine a world where Black and Hispanic innovato
So Ambitious Podcast Season 2 - Launching 2.26.24
Step into the dynamic world of Season 2 of the So Ambitious podcast, an electrifying exploration of stories driven by our community of Black Founders and Entrepreneurs. Founded by Pharrell Williams, Black Ambition has unleashed a wave of impact, propelling nearly 100 entrepreneurs with unique tales of tenacity and innovation.
Launching on 26 February 2024, join us in Season 2 of the So Ambitious
110. The Finale - Felecia Hatcher & Pharrell Williams in Conversation
From a high school talent show that landed him in the presence of music industry vet Teddy Riley to becoming one of the most influential and successful music producers and businessmen of the 21st century. We close out our first season of the So Ambitious Podcast with an intimate conversation between Black Ambition’s CEO Felecia Hatcher and musician, producer, and serial entrepreneur, Pharrell Will
109. Introducing the 2022 Black Ambition Grand Prize Winner Camille Belle - Pound Cake
From selling beautifully crafted yarn bracelets as a pre-teen to becoming our 2022 $1M Black Ambition Grand Prize Winner, Camille Bell, shares her remarkable journey of betting on herself and persevering. "We're creating award-winning formulas that are personalized to different skin and lip tones so everyone can achieve the color they want," says Camille. The founder of cosmetics company Pound Cak
108. Modernist Interior Design - Sire Design & Eilyn Jimenez
From pushing furniture sales at a Miami design showroom to venturing out on her own to create a full-service interior design studio bringing in seven-figure projects. Eilyn Jimenez, Sire Design's founder and creative director is no stranger to rough starts. "Being ambitious, at least for me, represents not only what I can bring to the table for myself, but also what I can bring to the table for so
107. Destigmatizing Modern Wellness - Xula Herbs CBD Botanicals
From pushing papers at a local Maryland radio station to apprenticing under Whoopi Goldberg's cannabis line, Mennlay Golokeh Aggrey is on a path to nurture a more inclusive cannabis industry with regenerative product. In this episode, Mennlay talks with Felecia about the benefits and science behind her product Xula Herbs, and her quest to promote hemp products that support comfort and relief durin
106. The First House of Ballroom - The Royal House of LaBeija
From a shout-out by Beyonce to securing partnerships with Facebook and Louis Vuitton, Jeffrey LaBeija and Marcus LaBeija of the Royal House of LaBeija know the power of visibility in building a brand. In this episode, they talk with Felecia about the multimillion dollar business of ballroom. “Who we are as Black queer people isn't necessarily always celebrated,” says Marcus. “It's always associate
105. Rooting for Everyone Black - Benoni Tagoe & Issa Rae's Hoorae Media
From folding T-shirts at Abercrombie & Fitch to running Issa Rae’s record label, Benoni Tagoe has learned the value of both pursuing work that you love and uplifting others. “It feels great to see other people succeed based off of a dream and a vision that you had,” the head of business development for Hoorae Media and president of Raedio tells Felecia in episode 5. “And to see that your dream and
104. Bringing Community to Life with Voice - Naj Austin & Somewhere Good
From developing a social media app that generates true connection to founding a community space where people can come and just be, Naj Austin creates products that combat isolation. “That was part of my pitch,” says the founder and CEO of Somewhere Good. “I led with, ‘I’m going to solve loneliness.” She talks to Felecia about finding the one perfect investor and the power entrepreneurs have in tha
103. 2021 Black Ambition Grand Prize Winners Justin Turk & Andre Davis - Livegistics
A special two-episode drop: From pitching family members at a birthday barbecue to winning the $1 million Black Ambition grand prize, Justin Turk and Andre Davis funded their construction-software company without any experience raising capital for a startup. “I didn't have a venture capital Rolodex,” Justin tells Felecia in episode 3 of So Ambitious. “I didn't know the angel investors were around
102. A Digital Nation - Afropolitan & Eche Emole
A special two-episode drop: From throwing Afrobeat parties to founding a country online, Eche Emole has spent his career building community. “The internet is the equalizer,” he tells host Felecia Hatcher about the nation he’s creating. “It’s the only place where as Black people we’re free.” Listen in as he describes his vision of a real-life Wakanda, and the investors who believe in it as much as
101. So Ambitious Season Premiere with Felecia Hatcher featuring Dosso Beauty
From braiding hair in her dorm room to securing placements with one of the highest-earning e-commerce retailers in the country -- in our series premiere Felecia Hatcher sits down with Kadidja Dosso of Dosso Beauty, an organic and gender-inclusive beauty and hair product line. Check out Dosso Beauty at https://www.dossobeauty.com
Sponsored by Heineken USA.
Welcome to So Ambitious
Welcome to So Ambitious a new kind of business podcast focused on Black and Hispanic entrepreneurs who are dreaming and building their companies to excel, uninterrupted. Hosted by Felecia Hatcher, CEO of Black Ambition Prize and fellow entrepreneur. Premieres Friday, December 9th.
Black Ambition Prize Presents... So Ambitious
A new kind of business podcast. Presented by Black Ambition Prize. Learn more: https://www.blackambitionprize.com/
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