Fifteen Percent Pledge Gala: Black Entrepreneurship & Sephora Grant Win

Los Angeles, CA – February 8, 2026 – A wave of support for Black-owned businesses swept through Paramount Studios Saturday night as the Fifteen Percent Pledge hosted its fourth annual fundraising gala. The event, honoring Tina Knowles for her decades of commitment to uplifting Black creatives and entrepreneurs, drew a star-studded crowd and underscored the growing momentum behind economic equity in the retail industry.

Guests included Lake Bell, Chloe Bailey, Ryan Destiny, Emma Grede, Arya Starr, Quenlin Blackwell, Sloane Stephens, Olandria Carthen, and Winnie Harlow. A telling moment of collective support occurred when Fifteen Percent Pledge chairwoman Emma Grede directed attendees to a QR code on the gala program for donations, prompting a flurry of activity on phones throughout the ballroom.

Grede emphasized the importance of product quality and broad audience appeal for Black-owned businesses. “It always comes back to creating the best products imaginable,” she said. “And I encourage founders to think about their audience as broadly as possible. Community matters, but scale matters too.”

Kelly Rowland presented Tina Knowles with a top honor, acknowledging her long-standing advocacy. Knowles, reflecting on her entrepreneurial journey, offered a candid perspective. “I’ve been everything from a CEO to the cleaning crew,” she told Vogue. “It takes a special person to keep going. I’m just in admiration of anyone who perseveres and builds something of their own.”

The gala wasn’t solely a celebration of achievement; it also provided tangible financial support. Sephora executive Priya Venkatesh presented the annual Sephora Beauty Grant, awarding $100,000 to Denise Vasi, founder of Maed Beauty. This grant reinforces the retail industry’s role in expanding access to capital and shelf space for underrepresented founders.

Athlete and founder Sloane Stephens, whose self-care brand Doc & Glo reflects her own wellness priorities, highlighted the impact of even small gestures of support. “Even small acts of support matter,” she noted. “A follow, a repost, showing up to events like this. Those things can translate into real visibility and growth.” Musician Chloe Bailey echoed this sentiment, noting a renewed energy surrounding emerging creatives. “Music feels urgent again,” she said. “There’s so much happening in the world, and artists are responding to it. That energy is inspiring.”

Founded in 2020, the Fifteen Percent Pledge urges major retailers to dedicate 15% of their purchasing power to Black-owned businesses, mirroring the percentage of the U.S. Population that identifies as Black. While the initiative has gained traction, challenges remain in achieving widespread adoption.

Aurora James, founder of the Fifteen Percent Pledge, consistently returned to the theme of community as a foundational element for success. She acknowledged the funding challenges facing many nonprofits while urging continued engagement. “We’re here because we believe in each other,” she said during her remarks. “And honestly, that’s how change actually happens.”

The celebration extended beyond the gala itself with the Fifteen Percent Pledge Block Party at Paramount Studios. The Block Party invited 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. The event featured founder panels, book signings, beauty tutorials, astrology readings, food trucks, and adoption activations, reinforcing the Pledge’s commitment to sustained economic impact.

Actor Dree Hemingway emphasized the importance of increased visibility for Black entrepreneurs. “Everyone should have the same opportunities, but the reality is Black founders often don’t,” she said. “This weekend, especially with the Block Party, really highlights designers and entrepreneurs who might not otherwise get that visibility.”

Despite shifting corporate priorities, the Fifteen Percent Pledge remains focused on expanding opportunity, building infrastructure, and ensuring that increased visibility translates into lasting economic growth for Black-owned businesses. The gala and accompanying Block Party demonstrated a continued momentum around Black entrepreneurship, highlighting the power of community and collective action in driving meaningful change.