PHARRELL WILLIAMS HOSTED “ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM” FORUM IN NORFOLK, VA WITH TOP CORPORATE LEADERS

Norfolk, VA (October 29, 2021) – Pharrell Williams hosted a Forum of corporate leaders from the national and local Virginia stage where they engaged in a discussion about realizing the full potential of the two cities of Virginia Beach and Norfolk in his home state of Virginia. Audiences heard from notable speakers as they engaged in important dialogue with local thought leaders looking to make change.

Pharrell Williams first took to the stage to introduce and discuss the importance of the Forum, asking our leaders to prioritize profit over politics, and to not let race, gender, sexual identification or orientation get in the way of creating businesses and job opportunities for all. The show began as Williams co-moderated a series of panels with Virginia Beach native Ryan Shadrick Wilson, founder of Boardwalk Collective and Senior Advisor to the Center for Public Health at the Milken Institute.

The Forum was dissected into three panels: “Who We’ve Been,” “Who We Are Now,” and “Who We’ll Become.” Panelists included top executives, corporate leaders, entrepreneurs, and business owners from the largest financial institutions across the country, as they discussed what makes a region attractive to come and create business roots there.

“It’s better to be diverse, and it’s better to be inclusive, and it’s better to be equitable to all human beings. If you have blood in your veins, and a brain in your head, and a heart in your chest, then you should be welcome to all places of business,” says Pharrell Williams. “I don’t think one person, or one group, should control anything. I think what we should do is open the doors as much as we can, tear the roof off, and allow more opportunities in here.”

“Who We’ve Been” addressed the cities’ unexpected origins through decades of expansion, resilience and how this growth was not always an opportunity for all. “Who We Are Now” highlighted panelists who are currently investing in communities around the country and discuss the impact of those investments. In “Who We’ll Become,” panelists shared what attracts them to cities as an HQ or an outpost. Panelists spoke about investments in culture, talent and other economic opportunity. The event was filled with incredible food and drinks and thoughtful dialogue, all brought together into a cohesive once-in-a-generation experience for the business community.

Panel speakers included Dr. Cassandra Newby-Alexander, Dean of the College of Liberal Arts at NSU, Craig Robins, CEO of Dacra and Real Estate Developer, Deirdre Love, Executive Director of Teens with a Purpose, Derrick Weatherspoon, Senior Portfolio Manager at BlackRock, Drew Ungvarsky, CEO Grow + Assembly in Norfolk, Eric Claville, Public Policy Expert at NSU, Felecia Hatcher, CEO of Black Ambition, Nat Zilkha, Partner, KKR, Pusha T, Musician and Entrepreneur, Shai Zelering, Managing Director at Brookfield and Real Estate Developer, Shu Nyatta, Softbank Opportunity Fund, and more.

Virginia Beach and Norfolk are cities of limitless potential, with abundant natural resources, a stable economy and significant socioeconomic and cultural diversity. Williams’ Forum asks us to unify and harness the potential of this dynamic region – starting with Virginia Beach and Norfolk.

Click on the image below to view more images from the event