13 News Now Segment on Pharrell’s Philanthropy

Title of the Document: 13 News Now Segment on Pharrell’s Philanthropy
One Line Summary: The 13 News Now segment gives a local perspective on a few of Pharrell Williams’s projects and how they are helping to improve his hometown community.
Author: Sarah Hammond
Date Created: 27 April 2023
Location: Virginia Beach, Virginia
Publisher: 13 News Now
Transcription: Janet Roach: We’re just one day away from Something in the Water’s grand return to Virginia
Beach, to the oceanfront there. Pharrell Williams’s is not only putting on an exciting
show for festival goers
Mike Gooding: He’s also creating a lasting economic impact with his multimillion dollar
development projects and nonprofits in the area. New at Six Sarah Hammond walks us through what Pharrell’s doing and why some think he’s planting the seeds for the next generation.
Sarah Hammond: He has many titles: Grammy award winning producer, fashion designer,
entrepreneur, philanthropist. But one Pharrell Williams is most proud of is Virginia
Beach native.
Pharrell Williams: If you have 757 Blood in your body, this is what you should be doing
Sarah Hammond: And Virginia Beach is proud to claim him
Mayor Bobby Dyer: He’s our favorite son. He’s helping to put us on the map nationally
Sarah Hammond: So what is it besides name recognition that gets the 757 so excited about
Pharrell? To start, he created his nonprofit, Yellow, here in Norfolk. He also brought a
business and economic growth forum called Mighty Dream to the area late last year. Not
to mention he has two multimillion dollar projects in the works. The $335 million Atlantic
park project with a surf park was recently approved. It’s expected to have an economic
impact of $26 million per year. All signs point to Pharrell also closing a deal to redevelop
the Military Circle Mall area in Norfolk. It’s unclear right now how much money that
project is expected to bring in, but the total project investment is more than $1 billion. Of
course, there’s also Something in the Water. Though the music festival has a rocky
history with the city, it’s back at the beach this year. Pharrell first brought the festival to
the city in 2019 with big names in music making appearances. In all, it brought $22.8
million to the city. COVID-19 forced the festival to pause in 2020 and 2021 and was
moved to DC in 2022. That decision came after what Pharrell described as toxic energy
in the city in the fallout of the death of his cousin, Donovan Lynch. A Virginia Beach
police officer shot and killed Lynch in 2021. Former Virginia Beach City councilman and
now State Senator Aaron Rouse says they were able to patch that relationship.
Aaron Rouse: Most friends know there are going to be times that probably you get upset with
your friend, but in order to save that friendship you have to be able to communicate
Sarah Hammond: Business and leadership professor Claire Foster with Regent University says,
“with any investor or project coming to a city, it can be fickle.”
Claire Foster: There is always risk and volatility involved in attracting events of any kind.
Sarah Hammond: But she says Pharrell’s clear passion for the city will likely encourage others
to follow suit.
Claire Foster: When one person gives, it encourages others to give. And this creates a ripple
effect of generosity.
Sarah Hammond: Something Coastal Edge wonder Dean Ashnani echoes from his shop at the
Oceanfront.
Dean Ashnani: There are only seeds that are being dropped. We’re able to take those seeds
and germinate some beautiful, beautiful programming throughout the whole year
together.
Sarah Hammond: Rouse agrees that Pharrell is clearing a path for others to come behind him
Aaron Rouse: He’s been able to plow the ground and help it become more fertile. Take
Hampton Roads to the future.
Sarah Hammond: And Ashnani says he’s already seeing those seeds grow.
Dean Ashnani: I love the fact that this one individual is giving back to community, but he’s more
than just giving back, he’s inspiring us to do the same.
Sarah Hammond: Sarah Hammond, 13 News Now.
Mike Gooding: Many hope the Mighty Dream Forum in Norfolk will also turn into an annual
event, the city could not tell us what economic impact it had on the area or how many
people attended, though ticketed events did sell out.
Provenance: Sarah Hammond, “Pharrell’s Lasting Impact on Hampton Roads: A Look At How He’s Doing It,” 13 News Now, April 27, 2023, YouTube video, 0-3:58, https://www.13newsnow.com/article/news/local/mycity/virginia-beach/pharrell-lasting-impact-hampton-roads/291-94f328aa-d0cd-4058-b736-985b7e001635#:~:text=Though%20the%20music%20festival%20has,that%20went%20right%20to%20businesses

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