Episode 88 – Felecia, Uninterrupted Hosts: Dr. Jeremy Waisome & Dr. Kyla McMullen Guest: Felecia Hatcher Connect on social: LinkedIN feleciahatcher.com Join the newsletter Shop our store Donate to the podcast Episode Description: Felecia Hatcher joins Kyla and Jeremy to share her inspiring journey from a diverse career in experiential marketing to becoming the CEO of Pharrell Williams’ Black Ambition Opportunity Incorporated. Felecia discusses the importance of challenging traditional educational paths, her passion for empowering underrepresented entrepreneurs, and building resilience through innovation. Her candid reflections highlight the significance of pursuing dreams despite obstacles, fostering inclusive innovation, and leveraging unique opportunities for those with world-bending ideas. Discover Felecia’s insights on breaking barriers and building a legacy for future entrepreneurs. Bio:-:: Felecia’s Bio– Felecia Hatcher is a trailblazer, a catalyst for change, and a relentless advocate for equity in the innovation economy. As the CEO of Pharrell Williams’ Black Ambition Opportunity Inc., she stands at the forefront of a movement that empowers diverse entrepreneurs with world-bending ideas with the capital, mentorship, and world-class resources they need to thrive. Under her leadership, Black Ambition has become a beacon of hope and opportunity, connecting entrepreneurs to over $100 million in funding, resources, and contracts. Hatcher’s work is not just about leveling the playing field—it’s about rewriting the rules of the game entirely, ensuring that underrepresented founders are seen, valued, and financially rewarded for their contributions to the innovation economy. Her transformative impact has earned her widespread recognition and accolades. In 2014, she was honored as an Obama White House Champion of Change for her work in advancing STEM access and diversity. She has been named a Harvard Young American Leader, a Comcast/Nationswell Tech Impact Allstar, an Echoing Green Fellow, a BME Vanguard Fellow, and a Black Enterprise TechConnect Game Changer. Her influence has been celebrated by Forbes, The Today Show, Good Morning America, Bloomberg, MSNBC, and The Grio, which named her one of 100 African Americans Making History. Hatcher’s work has been backed by an impressive coalition of supporters, including the Knight Foundation, Comcast/NBC Universal, Morgan Stanley, Lennar, Chanel, Surdna Foundation, LVMH, Adidas, Emerson Collective, the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, Heineken, and Ford. These partnerships underscore the universal recognition of her mission: to dismantle systemic barriers and create pathways for underrepresented communities to excel in the innovation economy. Before her role at Black Ambition, Hatcher co-founded Black Tech Week and The Center for Black Innovation, two groundbreaking initiatives that have redefined resource accessibility for students, communities, and entrepreneurs. Through her partnership with Comcast and the Hour of Code, she helped over 2 million students and educators gain access to critical digital tools, bridging the gap between opportunity and talent. Her corporate career is equally impressive, with roles as a marketing executive for the Minnesota Lynx/Timberwolves and as an experiential marketing and brand manager for industry giants like Sony, Nintendo, and McKee Foods. These experiences equipped her with the insights and expertise to navigate the intersection of innovation, culture, and business. A successful entrepreneur in her own right, Hatcher built a venture-backed food company in 2013 and has seen two of her companies acquired, a testament to her business acumen and ability to turn bold ideas into thriving enterprises. Today, Hatcher’s influence extends across multiple platforms. She serves on the Amazon Black Business Accelerator Advisory Board, a $150 million initiative dedicated to supporting Black-owned businesses. She is also a member of the SXSW Diversity Advisory Board, the Beacon Council Board, International Women’s Forum, the Center for Black Innovation, and the Airie Foundation. Her work in building inclusive innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystems has been so impactful that it has been featured in two Harvard Business School case studies. As a sought-after consultant and transformational speaker, Hatcher works with industry titans like Amazon, Google, Spotify, DoorDash, Target, Samsung, Walmart, and Etsy. Her expertise in inclusive innovation and business strategy empowers organizations to reimagine their approach to diversity and inclusion, while inspiring teams to step into their Zone of Genius. Her ability to merge visionary thinking with actionable strategies has made her an indispensable ally for companies committed to driving meaningful change. Hatcher is also a prolific author, with five books and publications to her name: Genius Jam, Start a Business on a Ramen Noodle Budget (Peterson’s), Focused, Pivot, Pitch, and Paid, and The C Student’s Guide to Scholarships (Peterson’s). Her written works reflect her deep understanding of entrepreneurship, innovation, and the power of resourcefulness. In addition to her books, Hatcher has authored several thought-provoking white papers, including: • The Deficit Framing of Black Entrepreneurs in Media, Corporations, and Foundations • Ridding Black Communities of Innovation Deserts • Frameworks for Defining, Assessing, and Developing Black Tech and Startup Communities These publications challenge conventional narratives and provide actionable insights for creating more equitable ecosystems. Felecia Hatcher is more than a leader—she is a force of nature, reshaping the innovation landscape and ensuring that the future of entrepreneurship is as diverse as the world it serves. 3 Fun facts about Hatcher: She got married in a hippie donut shop, her entrepreneurial journey began when she fell down chasing an ice cream truck in heels, and she loves silly jokes from her 6-year-old and 11-year-old kids, the kind that make her jaws hurt.
