Last night, the Fifteen Percent Pledge Gala marked its third year and debut in Los Angeles at Paramount Studios. The celebration commenced with a cocktail hour on the studio’s New York backlot, where attendees enjoyed a setting reminiscent of Brooklyn (home of the pledge’s founder Aurora James), complete with bars set against brownstone facades. As the Inglewood jazz band, Katalyst, performed on a nearby stoop, guests mingled with drinks in hand before transitioning indoors for dinner.
Since its founding in 2020, the Fifteen Percent Pledge has become a formidable advocate for equity, diversity, and inclusion within the fashion and beauty industry, directing nearly $14 billion toward Black-owned businesses. Emma Grede, the chairwoman, emphasized in her opening speech that the pledge has not only generated a significant financial pipeline for Black businesses but has also dramatically improved the lives of thousands of families nationwide.
The gala was punctuated by several memorable moments, notably the surprise appearance of Dr. Jill Biden. The First Lady was met with a standing ovation, advocating for meaningful action over rhetoric, emphasizing the importance of supporting Black entrepreneurship, and detailing the President’s efforts to ensure equity and eliminate racial barriers in accessing capital. Her speech concluded with an embrace from Queen Latifah.
The event also featured the awarding of nearly $500,000 in grants to Black-owned businesses. After a vote from the attendees, Hanahana Beauty was announced as this year’s achievement award winner, receiving a $200,000 grant. Runners-up Blackstock & Weber and Soap Distillery were awarded $35,000 and $15,000, respectively, while a new $100,000 beauty grant from Sephora was presented to Brown Girl Jane.
Additionally, Tracee Ellis Ross, actor, CEO, and founder of Pattern Beauty, was honored with the Trailblazer award. Ross, who humorously referred to her fur coat as a possible “mob wife” outfit, delivered a moving acceptance speech, with her brother, Evan Ross, capturing the moment from the front row.
A notable tradition of the gala is its dress code: Black Tie, Black Designer, which underscores the event’s mission. Grede explained, “Setting this dress code annually helps our community understand the challenges of accessing Black brands, thus reflecting our mission to elevate Black businesses and bridge the racial wealth gap.”
The gala’s dedication to celebrating Black creativity was manifest in every detail, from the cuisine curated by Ghetto Gastro to the floral arrangements by Bloom + Plume. Each selection underscored the event’s commitment to its mission, highlighting the gala not merely as a celebration but as a powerful catalyst for change.
