So Ambitious

Black Ambition

Hosted by Black Ambition CEO Felecia Hatcher, So Ambitious is a series about what's possible when Black and Hispanic entrepreneurs can build uninterrupted. From the tech founder to the creative entrepreneur, So Ambitious tells the stories of the people building, creating, and organizing - against all odds, with authenticity, and in community. Their stories propel the conversation about ambition beyond money, titles, or vanity metrics and dive into details of what it takes to do impactful, transformative work with longevity.

Episodes

Mentioned books

Nov 19, 2025 • 1h 5min

304: The Future of Music is AI: How Black Creators Can Win the Next Creative Era

What happens when two visionary creators collide at the intersection of comedy, technology, and music? In this episode of So Ambitious, host Felicia Hatcher sits down with Zayd Portillo (creatrgd) and King Willonius, creator of “BBL Drizzy”, to unpack their journeys in tech, AI, and cultural innovation. From viral comedy hits to groundbreaking AI music, Zayd and King are pushing boundaries on how Black creators can own their narratives, monetize their IP, and turn moments into movements. They reflect on early experiments with Clubhouse, YouTube, and Twitch, the birth of viral songs like BBL Drizzy, and how AI tools are reshaping artistry, ownership, and community. This conversation is equal parts hilarious and profound, revealing the tension between incubation and deadlines, internal validation and external recognition, and what it really takes to stay consistent (even when the world doesn’t quite understand your vision yet). If you’ve ever wrestled with impostor syndrome, felt pressure to deliver under deadlines, or wondered how AI is transforming creativity, this episode is for you. KEY POINTS - How early experimentation on YouTube, Twitch, and Clubhouse sharpened creative skills - The viral phenomenon of BBL Drizzy and what it revealed about culture and community - Navigating impostor syndrome and redefining what it means to be “creative” - The role of deadlines, hackathons, and incubation periods in producing great work - Why Black creators must embrace AI tools to own the next wave of innovation - Balancing business deadlines with the creative process - Building future-ready platforms: virtual artists, dome experiences, and AI-driven IP - How faith, timing, and consistency shape long-term creative success QUOTABLES “Comedy is the easiest way to introduce people to scary new tech.” - Zayd Portillo “Sometimes you’re just the vessel — the idea is bigger than you.” - King Willonius “If you fight for your limitations, you get to keep them.” - Felicia Hatcher “Great art is polarizing. If people love it and hate it, you’re onto something.” - Zayd Portillo “We need to stop saying we’ll get left behind in AI and start saying we’re mastering it.” - King Willonius RESOURCES Zayd Portillo IG | @creatrgod King Willonius IG | @kingwillonius Felecia Hatcher IG | @feleciahatcher Black Ambition IG | @blackambitionprize So Ambitious is produced by EPYC Media

Nov 12, 2025 • 1h 13min

303: The Internet Was Built on Black Culture, Alphonzo Terrell Says It’s Time We Own It

Alphonzo "Phonz" Terrell, co-founder and CEO of Spill, discusses the urgent need for digital spaces that prioritize trust and cultural fluency. He shares insights from his journey through music, media, and tech, highlighting how Black culture shapes online communities. Alphonzo emphasizes the significance of dismantling gatekeeping for future Black entrepreneurs and how Buddhism influences his leadership approach. He also analyzes the evolution of social platforms, the impact of online harassment, and the importance of community-driven values in entrepreneurship.

Nov 5, 2025 • 60min

302: The Unusual Pairing - Ingrid Best on Building Space for Black Women in Luxury & Wine

Welcome back! In this inspiring episode of So Ambitious, we sit down with Ingrid Best, founder of IBest Wines, to unpack her bold journey from corporate spirits executive to visionary wine entrepreneur. Ingrid reveals how her time in South Africa unlocked her creative superpower, why she walked away at the height of her career to launch her own brand, and how she’s rewriting the rules of storytelling, brand-building, and legacy creation. From the messy middle of entrepreneurship to navigating naysayers, fundraising challenges, and staying true to her love for wine, Ingrid shares the lessons that keep her grounded, ambitious, and committed to lifting others along the way. Whether you’re a creative, a founder, or someone daring to take a big leap, this conversation will fuel your courage to bet on yourself. KEY POINTS - South Africa unlocked Ingrid’s creative superpower and fueled her vision for IBest Wines - Lessons from working with global giants like Diageo, Bacardi, and Moët Hennessy shaped her brand approach - How storytelling and showing the “messy middle” are essential for building authentic brands - Walking away from a top corporate role was the bold step toward her true passion - How naysayers pushed her to focus, stay quiet, and trust her vision - Focus is a discipline; mentorship, walking, and long flights became part of her process - Mentorship revealed confidence as the key barrier holding young women back - Building IBest Wines with personal capital, then raised support from trusted Black women investors - Transparency with investors and the community builds resilience during challenges - Ingrid: Legacy is about self-belief, equity for women, and creating generational wealth QUOTABLES “I’m a 20-year overnight success. Everything I know came from working with the biggest brands in the world.” – Ingrid Best “People don’t just want to see the perfect ad. They want to see the messy middle.” – Ingrid Best “I walked away from the height of my career because I finally had the faith, courage, and ambition to bet on myself.” – Ingrid Best “Legacy for me is equity, global storytelling, and proving that big acquisitions can close the wealth gap.” – Ingrid Best RESOURCES Ingrid Best IG | @Ms_Ibest Ibest Wines IG | @ibestwines/ Felecia Hatcher IG | @feleciahatcher Black Ambition IG | @blackambitionprize So Ambitious is produced by EPYC Media

Oct 29, 2025 • 44min

301: The $15 Trillion Opportunity: Protecting Black Culture & Ownership | Lanny Smith, Tommy Johnson

Lanny Smith, founder of Actively Black, creates a Black-owned athleisure brand that reinvests profits into the community, driven by a passion for cultural excellence. Tommy Johnson, founder of Made with Black Culture, utilizes blockchain to ensure creators receive fair recognition and compensation for their work. They share their personal journeys, discuss the need for ethical trade standards, and highlight the importance of moving from mere representation to true ownership. Together, they envision a future where Black culture is valued and protected in commerce.

Oct 27, 2025 • 2min

We've Been The Culture. Now It's Time to Own It | So Ambitious Season 3

This season, it’s about ownership. Because ambition doesn’t need permission. Welcome to Season 3 of So Ambitious - the award-winning podcast from Pharrell Williams’ Black Ambition Prize, hosted by Felecia Hatcher. This season, we’re amplifying the stories of founders who are building uninterrupted - from tech innovators to creative entrepreneurs - all defying the odds and reimagining what’s possible for the next generation. Each conversation dives deep into the real journey behind ambition: the resilience, the risk, the purpose, and the community that makes it all possible. Because when Black and Hispanic founders thrive, the future does too. 🎧 Subscribe to the So Ambitious Podcast and join us in celebrating what it means to build boldly, create with intention, and lead with legacy. 🔗 Learn more: https://blackambitionprize.com 📱 Follow @blackambitionprize on Instagram, YouTube, and LinkedIn #SoAmbitious #BlackAmbitionPrize #PharrellWilliams #FeleciaHatcher #BlackEntrepreneurs #HispanicEntrepreneurs #LegacyBuilders #Founders #Startups #Innovation #PurposeDrivenBusiness RESOURCES Felecia Hatcher IG | @feleciahatcher Black Ambition IG | @blackambitionprize So Ambitious is produced by EPYC Media

Oct 22, 2025 • 1min

Because Ambition Doesn't Need Permission | Official Trailer | So Ambitious Season 3

Jun 13, 2024 • 19min

The AI-powered Podcast Player

Save insights by tapping your headphones, chat with episodes, discover the best highlights - and more!

Get the app