AT A GLANCE
- SheaMoisture teams up with Aurora James’ Fifteen Percent Pledge for the fellowship’s 10th anniversary.
- 20 women entrepreneurs will join the 2025 cohort, gaining world-class business training.
- Applications are open through October 10, 2025, for U.S. and Canadian founders.
- Fellows will complete Dartmouth’s “Building a Successful Business” program and gain access to Luminary’s global network.
ChatGPT said:
20 Women Entrepreneurs Will Be Able To Scale Their Businesses With World-Class Training And Community Support
SheaMoisture is using the milestone 10th anniversary of its Dartmouth Fellowship to double down on its commitment to Black women entrepreneurs. The beauty brand has joined forces with Aurora James’ Fifteen Percent Pledge to expand the program, offering 20 women the chance to scale their businesses with top-tier training and long-term support.
The fellowship, developed with Tuck Executive Education at Dartmouth College, has already supported more than 100 entrepreneurs. Over the last decade, participants have seen an average 6% increase in profit margins and a 14.3% boost in revenue growth, with more than $400,000 in tuition costs offset.
Fellowship Brings World-Class Training and Community Support
The 2025 cohort will be split evenly—10 chosen through an open application process and 10 selected by the Fifteen Percent Pledge. Entrepreneurs across the U.S. and Canada can apply until October 10, 2025.
The program runs December 7–12 in Hanover, New Hampshire, where fellows will complete Dartmouth’s “Building a Successful Business” course. The curriculum covers core business challenges including cash flow management, financing, marketing strategies, and performance analysis. Graduates will also gain entry to Luminary, a global career and growth platform for women entrepreneurs.
Leaders Emphasize Collaboration and Economic Equity
Obinna Keke, Chief Brand Officer at SheaMoisture, said the partnership reflects the brand’s roots in community support:
“For the 10th anniversary of the Dartmouth Fellowship, we have strengthened the impact of the program by partnering with industry trailblazer Aurora James and Fifteen Percent Pledge, to combine resources, expertise, and networks to expand our reach and support of entrepreneurs.”
Aurora James, founder of the Fifteen Percent Pledge, called the collaboration a natural next step:
“This partnership is a brand new format for us, and an exciting step forward in our mission to expand opportunities for emerging businesses. 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.”
