Kim Kardashian is showing up for Black-owned businesses, despite recently stirring controversy online with her support of first lady Melania Trump.
The reality TV star and media mogul was spotted at the Fifteen Percent Pledge gala on Saturday night in Los Angeles. The Fifteen Percent Pledge is a racial equity and economic justice nonprofit advocacy organization that lobbies major retailers and corporations to commit 15% of their purchasing power to Black-owned businesses.
In the fashion department, Kardashian stunned in a backless black dress by Balmain, which featured a crocodile scales imprint on the bodice and sequined, sheer embellishments.
Fifteen Percent Pledge founder Aurora James, alongside R&B star Kelly Rowland, presented a series of grants for the 2025 Achievement Award to three businesses: RedDrop ($200,000), Brooklyn Tea ($35,000) and Bernard James ($15,000).
Meanwhile, the second annual Sephora Beauty Grant, a $100,000 grant created to honor exceptional Black beauty brands, went to Sienna Naturals co-founders Hannah Diop and actress-comedian Issa Rae.
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Kardashian’s gala appearance comes after she ignited political backlash last month when she posted a photo of the first lady attending President Donald Trump’s inauguration on her Instagram story. “The Kardashians” star shared the photo without comment; she hasn’t clarified the post since.
