The Fifteen Percent Pledge hosted a star-studded inaugural gala

On Saturday, April 2, the Fifteen Percent Pledge hosted its first-ever benefit gala at the stunning Celeste Barton Forum in the New York Public Library in New York City. The star-studded “Black-tie, Black designer” event was hosted by actress-entrepreneur Nicole Ari Parker and celebrated the organization’s ongoing efforts to close the racial wealth gap. Guests included Pose‘s Dominique Jackson, supermodel and Donate My Wage founder Joan Smalls, Tamron Hall, Dapper Dan, artist Theaster Gates, supermodel Paloma Elsesser, Rosario Dawson, Laura Harrier, Allyson Felix and Selah Marley.

Parker kicked off the night by underscoring the importance of mentorship for Black small businesses. “Learning about shelf space, end caps, and how to market your business, things like that were invaluable to me while starting [my company] Gymwrap,” said Parker.

Since its inception in June 2020, the pledge has channeled $10 billion to Black businesses by challenging retailers to dedicate at least 15 percent of shelf space to Black-owned brands. In the past two years, over 40 percent of Black-owned businesses have closed due to COVID-19, making the pledge even more crucial.

“1.3 percent of venture capital funding went to Black-founded businesses this year,” Parker further explained. Despite those challenges, she ended on a hopeful note, reminding audiences and donors alike that Black women are opening new businesses at higher rates than other demographics. The affirmation was the perfect introduction for the night’s first honoree, Fifteen Percent Pledge founder, Aurora James (above). She ascended the stage amidst the sounds of Stevie Wonder, lovely in a two-toned taffeta dress from Christopher John Rogers.

“In that work that we had to do to find Black designers to wear to a Black tie event, it really opened some of our eyes,” said James, explaining that turning a meaningful initiative into a Black fashion celebration and fundraiser was a dream come true. “When I wrote that Instagram post in June 2020, I knew I was drawing a line in the sand,” she continued. “I could have never imagined the progress we’d make in two years.”

So far, the nonprofit has placed over 500 Black-owned businesses on the shelves of major retailers — most of which are women-founded. It’s taken some pretty intense phone calls and advocacy to get there, and there’s much more to do. 

“If even more retailers take the pledge, that $10 billion can triple and keep going from there,” said James.

Currently, the pledge has 28 partners, including Sephora, Macy’s, Gap and West Elm. They’ve all signed contracts to tailor their business practices to level the playing field for Black designers, employees, and customers. “Black business is smart business,” said Pledge board member and founding partner of both Skims and Good American, Emma Grede. For her, disrupting the notion that Black-led businesses can’t serve everyone is key. “Consumers express their values each time they open their wallets,” she said. “The era of simply good intentions is over.” 

According to James, the pledge could direct nearly $1.4 trillion dollars to Black entrepreneurs and their communities if major retailers like Walmart, Target, Amazon, and CVS took the pledge. “The true fear should never be stumbling forward but the paralysis of standing still and failing to act,” said James. The night proved how joyful hard work can be. 

Aurora James

Aurora James attends the 2022 Inaugural Fifteen Percent Pledge Benefit Gala on April 02, 2022 in New York City. (Photo by Bennett Raglin/Getty Images for Fifteen Percent Pledge)

Boris Kodjoe and Nicole Ari Parker

Boris Kodjoe and Nicole Ari Parker attends the 2022 Inaugural Fifteen Percent Pledge Benefit Gala on April 02, 2022 in New York City. (Photo by Bennett Raglin/Getty Images for Fifteen Percent Pledge)

Iman

Iman attends the 2022 Inaugural Fifteen Percent Pledge Benefit Gala on April 02, 2022 in New York City. (Photo by Bennett Raglin/Getty Images for Fifteen Percent Pledge)

Dapper Dan

Dapper Dan attends the 2022 Inaugural Fifteen Percent Pledge Benefit Gala on April 02, 2022 in New York City. (Photo by Bennett Raglin/Getty Images for Fifteen Percent Pledge)

Joan Smalls

Joan Smalls attends the 2022 Inaugural Fifteen Percent Pledge Benefit Gala on April 02, 2022 in New York City. (Photo by Bennett Raglin/Getty Images for Fifteen Percent Pledge)

Paloma Elsesser

Paloma Elsesser attends the 2022 Inaugural Fifteen Percent Pledge Benefit Gala on April 02, 2022 in New York City. (Photo by Bennett Raglin/Getty Images for Fifteen Percent Pledge)

Laura Harrier

Laura Harrier attends the 2022 Inaugural Fifteen Percent Pledge Benefit Gala on April 02, 2022 in New York City. (Photo by Bennett Raglin/Getty Images for Fifteen Percent Pledge)

Rosario Dawson and Abrima Erwiah

(L-R) Rosario Dawson and Abrima Erwiah attend the 2022 Inaugural Fifteen Percent Pledge Benefit Gala on April 02, 2022 in New York City. (Photo by Bennett Raglin/Getty Images for Fifteen Percent Pledge)

Emma Grede

Emma Grede attends the 2022 Inaugural Fifteen Percent Pledge Benefit Gala on April 02, 2022 in New York City. (Photo by Bennett Raglin/Getty Images for Fifteen Percent Pledge)

Claire Sulmers

Claire Sulmers attends the 2022 Inaugural Fifteen Percent Pledge Benefit Gala on April 02, 2022 in New York City. (Photo by Bennett Raglin/Getty Images for Fifteen Percent Pledge)

Diarrha N’Diaye-Mbaye

Diarrha N’Diaye-Mbaye attends the 2022 Inaugural Fifteen Percent Pledge Benefit Gala on April 02, 2022 in New York City. (Photo by Bennett Raglin/Getty Images for Fifteen Percent Pledge)

Selah Marley

Selah Marley attends the 2022 Inaugural Fifteen Percent Pledge Benefit Gala on April 02, 2022 in New York City. (Photo by Bennett Raglin/Getty Images for Fifteen Percent Pledge)

Danessa Myricks

Danessa Myricks attends the 2022 Inaugural Fifteen Percent Pledge Benefit Gala on April 02, 2022 in New York City. (Photo by Bennett Raglin/Getty Images for Fifteen Percent Pledge)

Nancy Twine

Nancy Twine attends the 2022 Inaugural Fifteen Percent Pledge Benefit Gala on April 02, 2022 in New York City. (Photo by Bennett Raglin/Getty Images for Fifteen Percent Pledge)

Kendra Bracken-Ferguson

Kendra Bracken-Ferguson attends the 2022 Inaugural Fifteen Percent Pledge Benefit Gala on April 02, 2022 in New York City. (Photo by Bennett Raglin/Getty Images for Fifteen Percent Pledge)

Bethann Hardison

Bethann Hardison attends the 2022 Inaugural Fifteen Percent Pledge Benefit Gala on April 02, 2022 in New York City. (Photo by Bennett Raglin/Getty Images for Fifteen Percent Pledge)

Chris Collins

Chris Collins attends the 2022 Inaugural Fifteen Percent Pledge Benefit Gala on April 02, 2022 in New York City. (Photo by Bennett Raglin/Getty Images for Fifteen Percent Pledge)

Julian Addo

Julian Addo attends the 2022 Inaugural Fifteen Percent Pledge Benefit Gala on April 02, 2022 in New York City. (Photo by Bennett Raglin/Getty Images for Fifteen Percent Pledge)

Maya Alena Allen

Maya Alena Allen attends the 2022 Inaugural Fifteen Percent Pledge Benefit Gala on April 02, 2022 in New York City. (Photo by Bennett Raglin/Getty Images for Fifteen Percent Pledge)

Jameel Mohammed

Jameel Mohammed attends the 2022 Inaugural Fifteen Percent Pledge Benefit Gala on April 02, 2022 in New York City. (Photo by Bennett Raglin/Getty Images for Fifteen Percent Pledge)

Dominique Jackson

Dominique Jackson attends the 2022 Inaugural Fifteen Percent Pledge Benefit Gala on April 02, 2022 in New York City. (Photo by Bennett Raglin/Getty Images for Fifteen Percent Pledge)

Phillip Evelyn and Sophia Roe

(L-R) Phillip Evelyn and Sophia Roe attend the 2022 Inaugural Fifteen Percent Pledge Benefit Gala on April 02, 2022 in New York City. (Photo by Bennett Raglin/Getty Images for Fifteen Percent Pledge)

Jerome LaMaar

Jerome LaMaar attends the 2022 Inaugural Fifteen Percent Pledge Benefit Gala on April 02, 2022 in New York City. (Photo by Bennett Raglin/Getty Images for Fifteen Percent Pledge)

Allyson Felix

Allyson Felix attends the 2022 Inaugural Fifteen Percent Pledge Benefit Gala on April 02, 2022 in New York City. (Photo by Bennett Raglin/Getty Images for Fifteen Percent Pledge)

Monica Ahanonu

Monica Ahanonu attends the 2022 Inaugural Fifteen Percent Pledge Benefit Gala on April 02, 2022 in New York City. (Photo by Bennett Raglin/Getty Images for Fifteen Percent Pledge)

2022 Inaugural Fifteen Percent Pledge Benefit Gala – Arrivals

Edvin Thompson attends the 2022 Inaugural Fifteen Percent Pledge Benefit Gala on April 02, 2022 in New York City. (Photo by Bennett Raglin/Getty Images for Fifteen Percent Pledge)

Gabriella Karefa-Johnson

Gabriella Karefa-Johnson attends the 2022 Inaugural Fifteen Percent Pledge Benefit Gala on April 02, 2022 in New York City. (Photo by Bennett Raglin/Getty Images for Fifteen Percent Pledge)

Nikki Ogunnaike

Nikki Ogunnaike attends the 2022 Inaugural Fifteen Percent Pledge Benefit Gala on April 02, 2022 in New York City. (Photo by Bennett Raglin/Getty Images for Fifteen Percent Pledge)

Tamron Hall

Tamron Hall attends the 2022 Inaugural Fifteen Percent Pledge Benefit Gala on April 02, 2022 in New York City. (Photo by Bennett Raglin/Getty Images for Fifteen Percent Pledge)

Cheryl Mayberry McKissack and Desiree Rogers

(L-R) Cheryl Mayberry McKissack and Desiree Rogers attend the 2022 Inaugural Fifteen Percent Pledge Benefit Gala on April 02, 2022 in New York City. (Photo by Bennett Raglin/Getty Images for Fifteen Percent Pledge)

LaToya Williams-Belfort

LaToya Williams-Belfort attends the 2022 Inaugural Fifteen Percent Pledge Benefit Gala on April 02, 2022 in New York City. (Photo by Bennett Raglin/Getty Images for Fifteen Percent Pledge)

Chioma Nnadi

Chioma Nnadi attends the 2022 Inaugural Fifteen Percent Pledge Benefit Gala on April 02, 2022 in New York City. (Photo by Bennett Raglin/Getty Images for Fifteen Percent Pledge)

Sherri Brewer and Benjamin Bronfman

Sherri Brewer and Benjamin Bronfman attend the 2022 Inaugural Fifteen Percent Pledge Benefit Gala on April 02, 2022 in New York City. (Photo by Bennett Raglin/Getty Images for Fifteen Percent Pledge)

Ayo Tometi

Ayo Tometi attends the 2022 Inaugural Fifteen Percent Pledge Benefit Gala on April 02, 2022 in New York City. (Photo by Bennett Raglin/Getty Images for Fifteen Percent Pledge)

Julee Wilson

Julee Wilson attends the 2022 Inaugural Fifteen Percent Pledge Benefit Gala on April 02, 2022 in New York City. (Photo by Bennett Raglin/Getty Images for Fifteen Percent Pledge)

Jessica Cruel

Jessica Cruel attends the 2022 Inaugural Fifteen Percent Pledge Benefit Gala on April 02, 2022 in New York City. (Photo by Bennett Raglin/Getty Images for Fifteen Percent Pledge)

Brandon Blackwood

Brandon Blackwood attends the 2022 Inaugural Fifteen Percent Pledge Benefit Gala on April 02, 2022 in New York City. (Photo by Bennett Raglin/Getty Images for Fifteen Percent Pledge)

Shaneé Benjamin

Shaneé Benjamin attends the 2022 Inaugural Fifteen Percent Pledge Benefit Gala on April 02, 2022 in New York City. (Photo by Bennett Raglin/Getty Images for Fifteen Percent Pledge)

Nicole Bloomgarden

Nicole Bloomgarden attends the 2022 Inaugural Fifteen Percent Pledge Benefit Gala on April 02, 2022 in New York City. (Photo by Bennett Raglin/Getty Images for Fifteen Percent Pledge)

Dorion Renaud

Dorion Renaud attends the 2022 Inaugural Fifteen Percent Pledge Benefit Gala on April 02, 2022 in New York City. (Photo by Bennett Raglin/Getty Images for Fifteen Percent Pledge)

Alexis Bennett

Alexis Bennett attends the 2022 Inaugural Fifteen Percent Pledge Benefit Gala on April 02, 2022 in New York City. (Photo by Bennett Raglin/Getty Images for Fifteen Percent Pledge)

George Sully

George Sully attends the 2022 Inaugural Fifteen Percent Pledge Benefit Gala on April 02, 2022 in New York City. (Photo by Bennett Raglin/Getty Images for Fifteen Percent Pledge)

Rajni Jacques

Rajni Jacques attends the 2022 Inaugural Fifteen Percent Pledge Benefit Gala on April 02, 2022 in New York City. (Photo by Bennett Raglin/Getty Images for Fifteen Percent Pledge)

Chrissy Rutherford

Chrissy Rutherford attends the 2022 Inaugural Fifteen Percent Pledge Benefit Gala on April 02, 2022 in New York City. (Photo by Bennett Raglin/Getty Images for Fifteen Percent Pledge)

Sharifa Murdock

Sharifa Murdock attends the 2022 Inaugural Fifteen Percent Pledge Benefit Gala on April 02, 2022 in New York City. (Photo by Bennett Raglin/Getty Images for Fifteen Percent Pledge)

Aurora James

Aurora James attends the 2022 Inaugural Fifteen Percent Pledge Benefit Gala on April 02, 2022 in New York City. (Photo by Bennett Raglin/Getty Images for Fifteen Percent Pledge)

Undeniably, one of the most beautiful moments was when Iman received the Industry Pioneer Award. In her speech, she cited IMAN Cosmetics as her greatest professional capstone but also an uphill battle. “I can only imagine how different things might have been for IMAN Cosmetics had I had an ally like the pledge mediating between myself and the marketplace,” said Iman. “While I was able to discover a retail partner to bring my vision to life, these were still the days when the curtain existed in the marketplace; separating Black from white along with the belief that this chasm was an accepted fact in business, if not in life.”

Her message to corporations: “Before there can be success, there has to be access.”

It was impossible to not be inspired by words from award-winning presenters like Tamron Hall and a soulful rendition of “Young Gifted and Black” by The Late Show’s Gospel Choir. The pinnacle of the night was undoubtedly when design icon Dapper Dan presented Stacey Abrams with the Inspiration Award for her work as a lawyer and voting rights activist. “Stacey Abrams is synonymous with hope,” he said. “She is the face of our country’s future if we’re lucky.” 

Still, it was Dap’s reflections on his own mother and once “underground” career that really moved the Pledge’s Brand Liaison, Makeen Zachary. “He didn’t really have the benefits that come with having retail partners in terms of public mainstream brand recognition until recently,” she noted. Every day, Zachary speaks to brands in the Pledge’s Business Equity Community about how making the commitment can support their goals. Seeing them interact and engage at the gala was even more special, she said. “Brands are my primary concern and the willingness [with which] our brand owners readily connected with each other to share the wealth and knowledge was most rewarding to me.”

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Christine Forbes is an award-winning multimedia journalist specializing in storytelling for digital platforms. She has over five years of experience covering arts and entertainment, social justice, style, and politics. She has contributed to Bustle, Cosmopolitan, BuzzFeed, BYRDIE, BET, and more. She also serves on Dotdash’s Anti-Bias Review Board. Christine is committed to producing inspiring, authentic content to create a better world.

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