Black Entrepreneur Savannah James Launches New Holding Company with Backing from Jay-Z’s MarcyPen Capital

Savannah James is expanding her business with the launch of Signed, a new holding company created with her longtime friend and business partner, April McDaniel. This company combines their growing network of brands, media platforms, and creative projects focused on women.

This move positions James not only as a public figure or brand partner but also as a creator of owned platforms. Signed will include three existing ventures: Crown + Conquer, the creative agency founded by McDaniel in 2016; Let It Break, a membership-based community for women that launched in 2024; and Everybody’s Crazy, the podcast that James and McDaniel started in 2024.

What Is Signed?

Signed serves as a holding company for creative, media, and community-driven businesses. It aims to connect storytelling, women-led entrepreneurship, brand strategy, and cultural influence in one business ecosystem.

On its official website, Signed states it is the result of “years of work, relationships, trust, and ambition.” This captures the importance of the launch: James and McDaniel are formalizing what they have already built in culture, media, and women-focused business.

Jay-Z’s MarcyPen Capital Supports the Vision

According to reports, the launch is backed by a partnership with MarcyPen Capital Partners, a private equity and venture capital firm co-founded by Shawn “Jay-Z” Carter. MarcyPen focuses on growth-stage consumer businesses that influence culture, which aligns well with Signed’s blend of media, brand building, and community impact.

For James and McDaniel, this support offers more than just money. It provides access to a broader network for business growth, strategic help, and the infrastructure needed to transform cultural credibility into a scalable business.

Why Savannah James and April McDaniel Created Signed

McDaniel explained that the idea arose from recognizing their existing businesses share a common goal: supporting and promoting women-led initiatives. Once they identified this purpose, the founders saw the chance to create something more significant than separate brands.

James emphasized that scaling requires the right people. “I’ve always been a champion of experts,” she said. She highlighted her belief in collaborating with experienced leaders instead of trying to manage everything alone.

This approach is already reflected in Signed’s leadership team. Christopher Gray has joined as chief creative officer, bringing experience from Nike and Wieden+Kennedy London. His role strengthens the company’s creative foundation as it develops new brands, partnerships, experiences, and media products.

Ownership Is the Bigger Story

A crucial aspect of Signed’s launch is control. James and McDaniel recently made Everybody’s Crazy independent after their deal with Dear Media concluded. Instead of entering into another major arrangement, they opted to build their own studio.

McDaniel simply described their decision: “we bet on ourselves.”

This choice makes Signed more than just a business launch. It signifies a commitment to Black women, ownership, and narrative power. In an industry where creators often build audiences before establishing equity, James and McDaniel are choosing structure, strategy, and long-term control.

Why This Matters

Signed enters a market where modern media companies are no longer based solely on content. The strongest platforms now integrate community, intellectual property, creative services, and brand partnerships. Signed begins with all four.

For Savannah James, this launch is a defining moment in her entrepreneurial journey. For Black women in business, it represents a broader shift: influence is no longer the end goal. Ownership is.