Connecting Culture, Planet & People
Founded by Samata Pattinson, BLACK PEARL is a cultural sustainability fashion, media and education organization, connecting the dots through representative work to move the needle for planet and people.
About BLACK PEARL
BLACK PEARL is a cultural sustainability design, fashion, music, entertainment, and education organisation. We are dedicated to valuing people and the planet, channelling strokes of genius and thoughtful, careful work infused with respect for diverse culture. Like a black pearl, our output is rare.
Strategically located between Los Angeles and London, BLACK PEARL focuses on cross-sector collaborations and events, educational programmes, thought leadership, media production, story-telling content creation, and product conceptualisation and creative development. We use intelligent design solutions, inclusive communication to drive sustainability progress through representative work. We see culture as fundamental lens through which to approach sustainable development.
The ethos of BLACK PEARL is simple yet profound: connecting the dots through representative work to create real and lasting change for the planet and its people. We are passionate about seamlessly interweaving cultural sustainability, education, and connecting the dots between people, communities, and the planet through various important cultural lenses such as age, race, class, identity, socioeconomics, disability, religion and educational attainment. We see too many people being left behind or excluded from spaces of impact, and are working to change that.
Culture & Social Context
We define culture as ‘the set of distinctive spiritual, material, intellectual and emotional features of society or a social group… it encompasses, in addition to art and literature, lifestyles, ways of living together, value systems, traditions and beliefs.’ We believe that culture and sustainability are interdependent and use this relationship as the foundation for our work which focuses on the “Social” in “Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG)” context of sustainability.
Encompassing societal impacts and relationships, acknowledging that a sustainability isn’t just about its ecological footprint but also its social footprint, the work we do engages with companies and brands, the individuals within their value cycles, citizens, and the communities they interact with.
One of our passions at BLACK PEARL is to place cultural sustainability at the forefront of the work we do ensuring that community development, partnerships to enhance local well-being, respect and upholding of human rights, positive contributions to society are at the centre of the work we do.
Cultural sustainability is important because
– it recognises the importance of preserving and promoting diverse cultural identities, which is crucial in an increasingly globalised world
– acknowledges that cultures are not static but evolve, and it seeks to ensure that this evolution is respectful and inclusive.
– protects against cultural exploitation, especially in industries where cultural elements are often commercialised without due consideration for their origin or significance
– encourages ethical behaviour and respect for the cultural sources of inspiration.
Our Work
Unveiling a New Era of Cultural Sustainability
BLACK PEARL is a cultural movement. It is born of the people, by the people, and for the people. Its origins lie at the very heart of our beloved Earth. The work we do boldly captures ‘the moment’, the past, and the future.
BLACK PEARL focuses on cross-sector collaborations and events, educational programmes, thought leadership, media production, story-telling content creation, and product conceptualisation and creative development. We use intelligent design solutions and inclusive communication to drive sustainability progress.
We collaborate with individuals, brands, and companies of all sizes, focusing on integrating sustainability and ethical practices with a cultural focus. We are proud to include Billie Eilish & Maggie Baird’s Overheated, The Academy and others as partners and clients.
BLACK PEARL Fund
We have created fund so that we can continue to amplify the work of the brilliant community to which we are connected. BLACK PEARL’s philanthropic arm, the BLACK PEARL Fund, amplifies NGOs and non-profit organisations dedicated to cultural sustainability. Established in tandem with our organisation’s ethos, this fund identifies and supports initiatives that promote sustainable practices, inclusivity, and cultural preservation. We provide financial resources and networking opportunities to empower these NGOs and non-profits.
By collaborating with them, we foster a collective approach towards creating a lasting positive impact on both communities and the environment. The BLACK PEARL Fund exemplifies our commitment to weaving cultural richness into sustainability efforts, supporting those who share our vision for a more harmonious and inclusive world.
Contact us to find out more about our fund through hello@withblackpearl.com
About Our Founder
A British-born Ghanaian entrepreneur from Cambridge, United Kingdom, BLACK PEARL CEO Samata Pattinson is dedicated to cultural sustainability and the vital connections between individuals, communities, and our planet. Formerly at the young executive helm of a women-led organization for over a decade, she oversaw design, educational, and commercial initiatives while driving sustainable fashion to the Oscars.
Samata’s leadership has driven collaborations with global brands like Louis Vuitton, Armani, Tesla, and Vivienne Westwood, as well as smaller designers including Laura Basci and Benedetti Life. Her efforts have created a network of sustainable fashion ambassadors, including Maggie Baird, Billie Eilish, Tati Gabrielle, Henry Cavill, Zoe Saldana, Danielle MacDonald and Lakeith Stanfield. She has developed textile and merchandising offerings, and established credible sustainability frameworks.
Most recently, Samata wrote and delivered the Sustainable Style Guide for the 95th Annual Academy Awards. She developed the Billie Eilish Climate and Fashion focus at the singers’ London Overheated Festival, and joined COP26 as part of the SHE Changes Climate initiative, later delivering a keynote during COP27 in Egypt on Designing for Sustainability.
Our Values
We believe that personal, intimate, and local connections with culture and sustainability can catalyse transformative solutions and global influence. We understand that significant change originates from a focused approach, and that a commitment to community is more important than exploitative growth. There is a deep meaning and intent behind the work we do, standing on our word and being true to who we are means looking back to the origin story of every individual on this planet.
This is what we believe:
Life on earth flourishes through the synergy of minerals, rocks, soil, and water. For BLACK PEARL, these echo the harmony of people, nature, and wildlife. Minerals reflect diverse representation, rocks shape landscapes and future potential, soil nurtures and regenerates communities, and water sustains all impartially. This fusion embodies the core vision of BLACK PEARL – an interconnected world where individuals, nature, and wildlife coexist, weaving a collective narrative of life.
The BLACK PEARL Lens
We work to ensure that diverse communities can see themselves authentically and accurately reflected in the world around them. We seek to create work that is guided by our unique Pioneering, Expert, Accessible, Rare & Representative, and Luxury (PEARL) lens. We are resolutely committed to effecting change in the world, one brilliant piece of work at a time.
Pioneering
Guided by a rich tapestry of cultural diversity, we infuse our pioneering spirit with a deep understanding of global perspectives, ensuring our innovations resonate universally. We fearlessly take bold steps, exploring new horizons to deliver cutting-edge solutions and strategies through our work.
Expert
With a diverse team deeply rooted in various cultures, we unite as industry experts, blending our wealth of knowledge and experiences. Our pride lies in mastering our craft while meticulously ensuring our services align with cultural sustainability, upholding the highest standards of quality and excellence.
Accessible
We firmly believe that sustainable solutions, and spaces for representative communities to be positioned as experts, should be within reach for us all. Accessibility means no glass ceilings for the voices deserving of a platform. We work to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to make a positive impact on people and planet without compromising on excellence.
Rare
We understand the significance of rarity, and see it as inherently linked to representation. Our work is curated to mirror the uniqueness of global communities and the world they navigate across design, fashion, music, entertainment and education. We celebrate diverse representation and make space for cultural lenses such as , ensuring that our strategies resonate with a global audience.
Luxury
Luxury lies at the core of our business. We do not believe that luxury solely means high monetary value or exclusivity, instead we see it as being defined by meticulous attention to detail, a commitment to durable and long-lasting solutions, belonging to a dedicated community and a personalized experience that upholds our commitment to sustainability. That is luxury to us, which is why sustainability and luxury can coexist harmoniously.
Latest News
Samata Pattinson, CEO of BLACK PEARL, Joins the Creative Advisory Council of State of Fashion
BLACK PEARL Engages Audiences at OVERHEATED with Sustainable Fashion Initiatives
BLACK PEARL Programming Partner: Billie Eilish and Support+Feed to Host ‘Overheated,’ Sustainability Event at Atlanta’s State Farm Arena
Sustainable Style Database: Recommend Brands
BLACK PEARL addresses Washington State House of Representatives on Fashion’s Environmental Impact
BLACK PEARL Climate Week Summary: Cultural Collaborations for the Planet
Build Community
Being a part of boards and committees serves as a platform for us to magnify the impact of the community and lend our support to their valuable initiatives. By actively participating in these governing bodies, we are not only able to champion the causes and missions that matter deeply to the community but also offer our expertise, resources, and networks to bolster their efforts.
Through our involvement, we aim to contribute to the growth, success, and sustainability of these organizations, ultimately working hand in hand to achieve positive change and address the needs of the community in a more profound and effective manner.
These are communities whose work we are passionate about amplifying.
Vegan Fashion Week
Hollywood Climate Summit
Support+Feed
We look forward to connecting with more.
