Pharrell’s Mighty Dream Forum could make a ‘November to remember’ for businesses in Hampton Roads

From Inside Business By Sandra J. Pennecke

Pharrell Williams poses for pictures with other panelists following a forum to discuss business opportunities in Virginia Beach and Norfolk at Norfolk State University on Oct. 28, 2021. (Jonathon Gruenke/Daily Press)

Black BRAND co-founder and president Blair Durham said she is encouraged and optimistic as entrepreneurial platforms such as the Mighty Dream Forum come to town next month to shine the light on successful minority businesses while providing opportunities for knowledge, financial capital and social engagement.

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

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

Blair Durham, co-founder and president of Black BRAND (Courtesy/HANDOUT)

Durham said Black BRAND is hosting a $25,000 pitch contest sponsored by Ikea, curating vendors and putting together a 757 discovery bag.

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

Robby Wells, the executive producer for the forum, said it was clear to Williams and his team that if everyone is working toward progress, they must convene annually to accelerate it. While some companies are fully embracing the opportunity for diversity, others have been slower to adopt the principles for a number of reasons, he said.

“Regardless of where your company sits on this spectrum, you should emerge from Mighty Dream empowered with knowledge and inspired to seize the opportunities to think about business and the future differently,” Wells said. “There is no downside; it’s table stakes for the future.”

Robby Wells, executive producer, Mighty Dream Forum (Courtesy / HANDOUT)

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

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

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

Adams said that 757 Collab, the parent organization housing 757 Accelerate, 757 Angels and 757 Startup Studios, is very intentional about inclusion, noting 84% of the companies they’ve helped have an underrepresented founder in the C-suite, the leading executive level.

757 Accelerate’s free annual community pitch event will be held 5-7 p.m. Nov. 3 at the Granby Theater in conjunction with the Mighty Dream Forum.

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

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

For more information, visit mightydreamforum.com.

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