VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — Virginia Beach singer, producer and philanthropist Pharrell Williams challenged corporate America to “do more and channel their energy in the right direction” by supporting entrepreneurs of color and adopting equity measures during a speech Monday.
In remarks during the Urban League of Hampton Roads’ annual Martin Luther King Jr. awards program, Williams said big businesses need to invest in people of color and noted that some of them already are.
“Not all businesses,” Williams added. “The smart ones — the ones that will be here in 50 years.”
Williams singled out the Japanese financial and venture capital group SoftBank, who he said attended a forum held in October at Norfolk State University. He said the group was investing in founders of color, who were then creating generational wealth and changing their cities for the better.
He also urged businesses and philanthropists to support the Urban League and thanked the local chapter for their work in financial wellness, health and housing. In 2021, the Urban League of Hampton Roads hosted COVID-19 vaccine clinics, served more than 500 clients with its fair housing programs and helped families learn how to live successfully with HIV and AIDS through medical case management services, among other accomplishments shared during the event.
The program also honored several local leaders who represented King’s legacy of social justice. Among the awardees were: Bennett Zier, senior vice president at Audacy, Inc.; Jeffery Smith, Hampton City Schools superintendent; Jennifer Boykin, Newport News Shipbuilding president; Charles Henderson Jr., Bank of America Hampton Roads market president; Susan Dewey, Virginia Housing CEO; Robert Blue, Dominion Energy president; Dr. Cynthia Romero, director of the Brock Institute at Eastern Virginia Medical School and CEO and philanthropist Jane Batten, with the Batten Foundation.
The event was livestreamed on Facebook and YouTube. Urban League of Hampton Roads President and CEO Gilbert Bland regretted that the event could not be held in person because of COVID-19. Bland himself said he battled the disease around a year ago and ended up in intensive care at Sentara. He urged viewers to get vaccinated.
“Because of social distancing, I was unable to see my family for two months,” Bland said. “In my personal opinion, there is no longer any need for anyone to choose not to be vaccinated.”
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