Pharrell Williams has never shied away from speaking his mind, but at the 5th annual Black Ambition Demo Day, the producer, entrepreneur, and visionary became even more candid about his stance on politics, identity, and what true support for Black businesses should entail.
And according to him, politics isn’t it.
“I hate politics,” Pharrell told the crowd. “Like, despise them. It’s a magic trick. It’s not real. I don’t believe in either side. Because I think when you pick a side, you are inadvertently supporting division.”
For Williams, the political landscape isn’t just frustrating, it’s fundamentally flawed. He worries that the very ideals that matter most to marginalized communities are being stripped away.
“When I think about it, the wells are drying up,” he said. “Now that diversity is off the table, now equity is off the table, now inclusion is off the table… so how do we survive?”
But instead of turning to partisan politics for answers, Williams is urging something more introspective, especially from Black founders.
He asked the room directly: “Do you want the job because you’re Black or because you’re the best?”
That question wasn’t meant to diminish the importance of representation. Instead, Williams emphasized that excellence, not identity alone, is what secures longevity, power, and real respect.
“Do you want someone to support your startup because you’re Black or because you’re the best?” he continued. “Yes, they happen to be Black and brown, but it should be based on the fact they’re the best, not because of a shade of skin color.”
For Williams, the future of Black entrepreneurship isn’t rooted in waiting for DEI to trend again. It’s about doubling down on mastery, ambition, and undeniable skill.
“I’m going to focus on being the best because I can bank on that,” he said. “I don’t want you to give me anything; I want you to panic and not let me out the room because I’m the best.”
