The Fifteen Percent Pledge Gala Celebrates Black Visionaries, Entrepreneurs And Fashion With Star Studded Support
On February 7, the Fifteen Percent Pledge transformed Paramount Studios into a space that felt less like a traditional gala and more like a celebration of Black creativity in motion. Hosted by CNN anchor Abby Philip, the annual fundraising gala, part of the 15th Street Block Party Weekend, brought together fashion, beauty, and culture’s most influential names to honor Ms. Tina Knowles and invest directly in the future of Black-owned businesses.
The star-studded guest list reflected the night’s cultural gravity. Kelly Rowland, Law Roach, Winnie Harlow, Chloe Bailey, Rachel Zoe, Kimora Lee Simmons, and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex were among those in attendance to show their support.
At the center of the event was Ms. Tina Knowles, who received the night’s highest honor for her decades-long commitment to mentorship, advocacy, and community building. Knowles, introduced by singer and actress Kelly Rowland, received a standing ovation before she delivered a speech with remarks that felt intimate and unfiltered. She spoke openly about the reality of entrepreneurship, the grit, the multitasking, the moments when you’re the CEO one day and the delivery person the next, and the power of shared support among Black founders.
The weekend made space for real conversations. Founder-led conversations took center stage, including the Black in Beauty panels featuring Denis Asamoah, Shani Darden, Hannah Diop, Kadi Lee, Maya Smith, Janell Stephens, and Denise Vasi, moderated by Brooke DeVard. The discussions felt practical and unguarded, touching on growth, access, and the realities of building within an industry that often overlooks Black founders. The energy carried into quieter moments as well, with intimate book signings from Jordan Casteel, Aurora James, Skai Jackson, and Amy Sherald—offering space for reflection, connection, and exchange beyond the main stage.
Aurora James, founder of the Fifteen Percent Pledge, took the moment to reflect on how far the organization has come since its initial launch in 2020. What began as a call for retailers to dedicate 15 percent of their shelf space to Black-owned brands has evolved into a national platform with real, measurable impact. Since its founding the organization has helped place more than 950 Black-owned brands in major retail spaces and distributed over $1 million in grants, including this year’s $100,000 award to MAED, a Black-owned beauty brand pushing the industry forward.
Photos : CarlyStone&LinneaStephan/BFA.com
JuliaD’Ambola& VictorArriola/BFA.com: BFA