I just came back from Paris where I was invited by Pharrell Williams’ Black Ambition, LVMH, Louis Vuitton, Visa and NBCUniversal Comcast to participate in the first Edition of the Black Ambition Paris Prize Competition for French underrepresented founders.
It was a 4 day event in Paris during the Olympics leading to the Black Ambition Paris Prize Competition Demo Day at STATION F, the world’s largest start up facility.
50 underrepresented French founders were mentored, 6 pitched their business and 3 were awarded $200K.
Because I am French myself, this experience was extremely emotional for me. Being able to witness Pharrell Williams and his team supporting my community was very powerful.
I was accompanied by 6 other US Black Ambition Prize winners from previous years Brianna Arps of MOODEAUX® , Pauline Idogho of Mocktail Club, Camille Bell of Poundcake, Michael A. Tennant of Curiosity Lab , Justin Turk of Livegistics, Inc., Aisha Bowe of STEMBoard and me, Maïré BAVARDAY-ROSA of ecomspaces
On Day 1, I was invited to La Maison LVMH (LVMH Olympic Pavilion) for a panel discussion with the legend of French Track and Field, Marie Jose PEREC - OLY, triple Olympic champion and world champion. She won 2 gold medals in Atlanta in 1996, the city where I currently live and run ecomspaces
The discussion was led by Felecia Hatcher, CEO of Pharrell Williams’ Black Ambition
Marie-José Pérec shared her origin story, from the French Oversea Department of Guadeloupe (French Caribbean) where I am also from. The hardships of growing up and how her grand-mother influenced her to always be the best at everything she does, so she could help and inspire her entire island.
Which she did.
I was 13 years old when I saw Marie-José Pérec winning her 2 gold medals in Atlanta in 1996. Watching her on TV changed my life. It didn’t seem impossible anymore, that a French black girl, from a very small island, could travel and do great things abroad.
I followed her path and started track and field, I was often compared to her because of our similar very long legs. I wasn’t passionate about track and field, but I wanted to travel, and it allowed me to do so. Which led me later on, to study abroad in Canada then work and live in the UK and now Atlanta.
Marie-José Pérec and Teddy Riner, two of the greatest French Olympians of all times and both from my island of Guadeloupe, were the final torchbearers who lit the Cauldron in unison at the Olympic Games opening ceremony. Moving and uniting France, during these uncertain political times of racial divide. Marie-José Pérec told us how she was inspired, 28 years ago, to win her 2 medals in Atlanta by Muhammad Ali, who was chosen to ignite the Olympic cauldron.
Never in my life I could understand so clearly why representation mattered. Adding to this the symbolism of passing the torch. From Muhammad Ali, to Marie-José Pérec, to me. And all the others I hope to inspire one day.
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And this was only Day 1. The team at Black Ambition gave us the experience of a lifetime.
On Day 2, we were invited to dinner at the Louis Vuitton Family Residence, which Pharrell Williams also attended. We were introduced to investors, representatives of very large corporations, the French founders and French community leaders.
On Day 3 we participated in workshops with the 50 finalists French Founders at Station F then visited Pharrell Williams’ offices at Louis Vuitton.
Day 4 was Demo Day at Station F, gathering hundreds of entrepreneurs from all over France, including the French overseas departments of Guadeloupe and Martinique. Some entrepreneurs spent thousands to make it to Paris, wanting to be part of this. All with the same fire in their eyes, wanting to be part of Black Ambition, to help them break all the barriers they are facing as black and brown founders in France.
More than having Pharrell Williams in the room, Black Ambition Demo Day attracted important figures as Ronny Turiaf, OLY Cordell Broadus and Arnaud Assoumani
And of course, I present you the French winners of the Black Ambition Paris Prize 2024
1st Place ($100K): BROKE AND ABROAD founded by Mariam N'DIAYE
2nd Place ($75K): Elikya Beauty founded by Sabrina - Mathilde BANDUNDI
3rd Place ($25K): Cauri Money founded by Lamine Tall
Without people who truly care, none of this would be possible. Thank you Felecia Hatcher Jermeen Sherman Samiyah Malik, MS Christine Joseph and Alexis for your hard work in supporting us and amplifying our voices worldwide.
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