SheaMoisture Partners With Fifteen Percent Pledge
SheaMoisture is celebrating the 10th anniversary of its Dartmouth Fellowship program with a major expansion. The company has joined forces with Aurora James’ Fifteen Percent Pledge to open new doors for Black women entrepreneurs. For the 2025 cohort, 20 women will be selected to take part after the October 10 application deadline.
Ten of the participants will be chosen through an open application process, while the other ten will be handpicked by the Fifteen Percent Pledge. This collaboration aims to widen access and provide practical support for women building businesses in their communities.
Fifteen Percent Pledge and Its Mission
Aurora James founded the Fifteen Percent Pledge in 2020 with a bold mission. Her organization pushes major retailers to commit 15 percent of their shelf space to Black-owned businesses. The goal is to help close the racial wealth gap and expand opportunities for Black entrepreneurs.
So far, the pledge has partnered with more than 30 big companies, including Macy’s, Sephora, Nordstrom, and Ulta Beauty. By 2030, the organization hopes to generate $1.4 trillion in wealth for Black business owners and increase Black business representation to 14.6 percent.
Dartmouth Fellowship’s Proven Track Record
The Dartmouth Fellowship has already made a strong impact over the last decade. Hosted by Dartmouth College’s Tuck Executive Education program, it has supported more than 100 fellows. Together, these fellows eased over $400,000 in tuition costs while reporting an average 6 percent revenue increase and 14.3 percent growth in their businesses.
This year, the fellowship will take place from December 7 to 12 in Hanover, New Hampshire. Participants will attend the “Building a Successful Business” program, diving into key topics such as financing, cash flow, marketing strategy, and performance analysis.
SheaMoisture and Aurora James on the New Partnership
SheaMoisture’s Chief Brand Officer, Obinna Keke, emphasized the importance of this partnership in a statement. “We take immense pride in the achievements of the SheaMoisture Dartmouth Fellowship over the past decade, staying true to our brand DNA of supporting our community and empowering entrepreneurs,” he said. He also highlighted that in today’s economic climate, small businesses need support more than ever.
Aurora James expressed her excitement about this new collaboration. “We are absolutely thrilled to partner with SheaMoisture for the tenth year of its Dartmouth Fellowship,” she said. “By aligning our efforts with SheaMoisture and Dartmouth, we can provide deserving founders with access to educational resources and a network of peers that will sustain their growth for years to come.”
Building a Stronger Future for Black Women Entrepreneurs
This expansion is more than a celebration of the program’s anniversary. It is a sign of long-term commitment to creating pathways for Black women in business. With the combined strength of SheaMoisture, Dartmouth, and the Fifteen Percent Pledge, the fellowship is set to give the 2025 cohort powerful tools to grow and thrive.
As the program continues to evolve, it underscores a clear message: supporting Black women entrepreneurs is not just about opportunity, it is about building wealth, resilience, and stronger communities for generations to come.
