2. “GIVE US THE
BLACK SHEEP.
I WANT ARTISTS WHO
ARE FRUSTRATED.
I WANT THE ONES WHO
HAVE ANOTHER WAY
OF DOING THINGS.
THOSE THAT NOBODY
IS LISTENING TO...”
- BRAD BIRD, PIXAR
3. IN 2011, A GROUP OF ENTREPRENEURS, TEACHERS,
ARTISTS, SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURS, AND WRITERS FOUND
EACH OTHER WHILE WALKING THE ROAD LESS TRAVELED.
4. UNITED BY THE SPIRIT OF ARTISTRY, WE BECAME A
COMMUNITY OF BLACK SHEEP. DRIVEN BY CURIOSITY,
COMPASSION AND A BIAS TOWARDS ACTION, WE SET OUT TO
DRIVE CHANGE IN CREATIVE WAYS.
NO MATTER WHERE WE CAME FROM OR WHAT WE DID, WE WERE
FRUSTRATED WITH THE STATUS QUO AND WERE TIRED OF BEING
ALONE IN OUR CREATIVE SOJOURN.
5. MISSION
APPROACH
BLK SHP exists to unlock the artist within everyone. We
believe that creativity and human agency are critical
capacities needed to adapt and lead in times of constant
change. We harness the creativity of humanity to address
the most pressing problems of our time
BLK SHP is a community that acts as a connective tissue
across disciplines and a platform that bridges divides to
solve problems in new and creative ways. BLK SHP includes
three core components: the BLK SHP Community, BLK SHP
Operations and BLK SHP Media.
6. BUILD COMMUNITY
CATALYZE CHANGE
AMPLIFY STORIES
WHAT WE DOThrough these three core activities, we bring people together
across sectors to collaborate and address systemic challenges.
7. EXPLORING
OPPORTUNITIES
CATALYZING
CHANGE
BUILDING
COMMUNITY
AMPLIFYING
STORIES
SYNTHESIZE
DEFINE
EMPATHIZE
DESIGN
AMPLIFY
We identify and frame
insights that emerge from
learning journeys to set
the stage for collaborative
projects, which we call
Operations.
We convene BLK SHP around
these insights to define
opportunities to solve a
problem and create shared
value in partnership with
organizations that affiliate
with our ecosystem.
Through learning journeys, we convene BLK
SHP from across the community to explore
critical issues and themes in partnership with
creative thinkers and grassroots
changemakers around the country.
We identify and place an Entrepreneur
in Residence to lead each Operation
by designing solutions with a team of
collaborators from across the
BLK SHP community.
We scale solutions across the
community, shares insights that
surface from the Operation and
amplify stories of positive change
in ways that set the stage for
future Operations.
Inspired by the creative culture of
Pixar, we mobilize BLK SHP around
opportunities to amplify stories and
solve problems through a
design-driven approach.
HOW WE
DO IT
8. STORYTELLING LAB
FUSECORPSPBS
GREENVILLE
PITTSBURGH
LOCAL
OUTPOSTS
NATIONAL
COLLABORATORS
Across the country, we maintain close ties to creative leaders within
government, non-profits and some of the world’s most influential media
platforms and corporations. As new initatives emerge, we assemble teams
of collaborators from across the community to equip BLK SHP with the
insights and resources needed to take action.
From the Deep South to the Bay Area and beyond, BLK SHP come
together for dinners, events and Operations. Each BLK SHP
Outpost is led by a shepherds, who hosts events and initiates
projects that unlock creativity and address problems facing the
local community.
DC
NYC
BAY AREA
BOULDER
LOS ANGELES
COMMUNITY
AUSTIN
MOBILE
9. MATTHEW DOWD
“D-PROPHET”
BLK SHP Austin
Analyst at ABC News,
Best-selling author
HAROLD O’NEAL
“THE IMPROVISER”
BLK SHP NYC
Artist in Residence
Pianist & Innovator
MATTHEW BISHOP
“CHURCHILL”
BLK SHP NYC
Best-Selling Author &
Editor at The Economist
GABRIELLE SANTA-DONATO
“FAB”
Program Director at Stanford
d.school Life Design Lab
ELLEN MCGIRT
“CORNDOG”
BLK SHP NYC
Writer, Commentator
Fast Company
GRANT OLIPHANT
“THE WHISPERER”
BLK SHP Pittsburgh
President of The
Heinz Endowments
ALOE BLACC
“VERA”
BLK SHP LA
Artist & Musician,
Social Change Advocate
ALEXA CLAY,
“LOUISA MAE”
BLK SHP Entrepreneur
in Residence, Author of
“The Misfit Economy”
BILL EGGERS,
“PATRICK HENRY”
BLK SHP DC
Author and Global Director of
Deloitte Research
BLK SHP are united by a shared
passion for unlocking creativity
for a greater purpose. Some are
entrepreneurs, musicians and
artists. Others are writers and
investors, policy leaders and
grassroots advocates. No
matter where they work, they
embody the spirit and values of
curiosity, conviction,
collaboration and creativity.
And of course, they all
have nicknames.
COMMUNITY
10. PHIL COOLEY
Detroit, MI
BLK SHP Shepherd
Founder of Ponyride, Owner of
Gold Cash Gold and Slows BBQ
TODD GREER
“JOHNNY APPLESEED”
Mobile, AL
Director of SynerVision Leadership
Foundation, Chief Catalyst at The
Exchange 202
BEN RIDDLE
“THE WHIZ”
Greenville, SC
BLK SHP Entrepreneur in
Residence, University
Innovation Fellow
MERYAM BOUADJEMI
Baltimore, MD
Media Producer, Founder of Close
Up Baltimore
CHRISTOPHER GERGEN
“C-TOPHER”
Raleigh-Durham, NC
Innovator & CEO,
Forward Impact
DARIAN WIGFALL
St. Louis / Ferguson, MO
Community Organizer,
Founder of Verseutility Media
BLK SHP Shepherds are the
“vision keepers” for the
community. Through dinners
and events, shepherds bring
BLK SHP together to sharpen
iron, build relationships and
have fun. As a network, shep-
herds provide a connective
tissue for sharing insights,
best practices and know-how
across cities and sectors.
SHEPHERDS
11. VIKKI SPRUILL
“BETTE KANE”
BLK SHP Board Member
CEO at Council on
Foundations
AKSHATA MURTHY
“MOTHER THERESA”
BLK SHP Board Member
Founder of Catamaran Ventures
SHAIFALI PURI
“SCHEHERAZADE”
BLK SHP Advisor
Former Executive Director of
Global Innovation at Nike
HENRY TIMMS
“THE CONDUCTOR”
BLK SHP Advisor
Executive Director at
92nd Street Y
PETER SIMS
“EAGLE”
Founder of BLK SHP
Co-founder of Fuse Corp,
Best-selling author
LENNY MENDONCA,
“YODA”
BLK SHP Advisor
Former Director at McKinsey,
Co-Founder of Fuse Corps
As trusted leaders with
experience working across
sectors, the BLK SHP Board
and team of advisors help
steward the BLK SHP com-
munity by sharing insights
and creating opportunities to
make an impact at scale.
BOARD&
ADVISORS
12. ETHOS&
CULTURE
DRIVING CHANGE BETTER
BE FUN. OTHERWISE WHO
WOULD WANT TO DO IT?
Our ethos is defined by democracy and
play, and everyone in our community
stands on equal footing. For the fun of
it, we give each other playful nicknames
like “The Eagle”, “Churchill”, and “Queen
Bee”. The names usually stick, and our
bias towards play defines us to this day.
In a world full of messy problems and
constant change, play creates space for
imagination to take shape. Inspired by
the creative process, we believe that
imagination sets the stage for new solu-
tions to emerge from the most unlikely
places.
13. CATALYZE
CHANGE
BLK SHP Operations convene diverse teams of doers, thinkers
and creatives to make little bets and take big steps towards
addressing pressing problems in new and creative ways.
14. MARKA.
THOMAS
“I’ve always viewed myself as a
“sense-maker” of complex issues. I’ve
taken on professional roles that have
challenged me as a communicator
in the private and public sectors and
pursued learning opportunities that
broadened my perspective and tested
my analytical skills. I feel like I’m finally
arriving at the broad competency level
I’ve always wanted in the leaders I’ve
wanted to work for and follow. ”
“THE POET”, BLK SHP LA
INAUGURAL FUSECORPS FELLOW
LA MAYORS INNOVATION TEAM
FUSECORPS
In 2011, we helped to conceptualize, launch, and
grow FUSE Corps, a nonprofit organization that equips
local government to effectively address the biggest
challenges facing urban communities, from education
and health to poverty, economic development and
the environment.
Since then, FUSE has partnered with civic leaders
across the country to identify pressing challenges
and recruit entrepreneurial professionals to serve in
12 month fellowships across local government. By
engaging our network of friends and partners, FUSE
unlocks creativity and catalyzes culture change in
the public sector by proving the potential of creative
problem solving in local communities. FUSE currently
partners with 15 U.S. cities and plans to engage
roughly 50 fellows within the next 3 years.
WE UNLOCKED
CRE ATIVIT Y IN
LOCAL GOVERNMENT
THROUGH
15. FUSECORPS
STORIES OF IMPAC T
- Developed the core operational and program partnerships with
BLK SHP at the Stanford d.school, the White House, Starbucks,
and Points of Light and others.
- Raised initial funding of over $300K from BLK SHP at Starbucks
and $50K from GE, and recruited approximately 100 high quality
candidates from BLK SHP network for FUSE fellowships from
around the country.
- Built relationships with city leaders to assist with the national
expansion of the FUSE Corps program in partnership with BLK
SHP in Austin, Louisville, Oklahoma City, Detroit, and Greenville.
- Recruited a world-class advisory board including the founders
of KIVA, DonorsChoose, Teach for America, and the CEO of Mozil-
la, who are all part of the BLK SHP community.
- Worked closely with FUSE Corps CEO and COO on regional and
national growth strategy to grow from 5 fellows in 2014 to 16
fellows in 2015. The program is slated to engage 50 fellows
nationally by 2017.
- Supported the formation of cross-sector innovation partner-
ships in Sacramento, San Jose, Los Angeles, and San Francisco.
In Sacramento, BLK SHP supported the formation
of a cross-sector joint venture in Sacramento public
schools called “Edible Sacramento” that educated
students about healthy and organic foods. We con-
vened partners that ranged from UC Davis Agricul-
ture to Sacramento High to local nonprofits such as
the Triumph Center for Early Childhood Education.
ONTHE
GROUND
16. GIVINGTUESDAY
In 2012, we partnered with the 92 Street Y and the
UN Foundation to launch #GivingTuesday -- a national
day of social giving after Black Friday and Cyber Monday.
We brought together a small group of creatives from NYC
and key supporters from across our growing ecosystem
to support the campaign, from social media mavens to
philanthropy leaders and officials at The White House.
Since this initial effort, #GivingTuesday has introduced
millions of Americans to the power of microphilanthropy,
and has become a movement of its own, raising
approximately $100 million in the past year.
WE HELPED START A
NATIONAL MOVEMENT
OF SOCIAL GIVING
“From the early days of #GivingTues-
day, we relied on BLK SHP. We
had very little time to launch this
project (too little, some said!), but
when the BLK SHP arrived like some
kind of social good version of the
A-Team, it was a huge support to
our efforts. BLK SHP has an amaz-
ing capacity to influence some of
the most influential people in Amer-
ica, and helped get this project off
the ground, engaging everyone from
The White House onwards.”
“THE CONDUCTOR”, BLK SHP NYC
FOUNDER, #GIVINGTUESDAY
DIRECTOR, 92 STREET Y
HENRY
TIMMS
THROUGH
17. GIVINGTUESDAY
STORIES OF IMPAC T
- Secured significant media support to amplify the
initiative in its first year, including from BLK SHP at
Reuters, NPR, and the New York Times.
- Secured public endorsement from BLK SHP in The
White House, which helped position
#GivingTuesday as a campaign with broad support
and global reach.
- Established #GivingTuesday UK through BLK SHP in
London, and helped recruit over 1,000 partners such
as PwC and Facebook, as well as a wide range of
grassroots nonprofits including Friends of the Earth,
Teacher Support, and Rethink Mental Ilness.
- Introduced #GivingTuesday team to a range of key
technology influencers and partners in Silicon Valley
and the Bay Area, which helped #GivingTuesday raise
over $100 million in year three.
MOBILIZINGTHE
GRASSROOTS
BLK SHP introduced #GivingTuesday
to grassroots champions in the United
States in partnership with BLK SHP in
cities like Kansas City, Mobile,
Baltimore, and Omaha.
18. OPERATION:
K12CREATIVITY
In an age of constant change, federal mandates
and shrinking budgets leave schools struggling to
keep up the pace. While many teachers are eager
to innovate in the classroom, they face hurdles to
doing so. New approaches to teaching and learning
like design thinking, project based learning, team
based learning, etc. can only be implemented if
teachers are empowered and given the autonomy to
collaborate and create.
In 2015, a group of BLK SHP recognized these prob-
lems and launched Operation: K12 Creativity. While
many intiatives in this space already exist, they are
often siloed and disconnected. Through this
Operation, we are bridging divides between
grassroots networks and national partners to unlock
creativity in schools around the country.
UNLOCKING CRE ATIVIT Y OF
TE ACHERS TO TR ANSFORM
PUBLIC SCHOOL S
BLK SHP COLLABORATORS:
19. Know someone with passion for learning and an
entrepreneurial mindset that’s eager to unlock creativity
in education? We’d love to meet them.
In partnership with a team of advisors, funders and
collaborators, the BLK SHP Entrepreneur in Residence will
design and deliver solutions that address shared prob-
lems and meet critical needs uncovered in the K12 and
Creativity ecosystem.
ENTREPRENEURINRESIDENCE
- Identify and support a Social Entrepreneur in
Residence to serve as the project lead for
Operation K12: Creativity.
-Convene BLK SHP collaborators from Pixar and
Khan Academy at the Stanford d.school to help
build a community of teachers and educators
that use Pixar In a Box to teach STEAM concepts
in the classroom.
- Work with BLK SHP collaborators to complete a
needs assessment and landscape analysis in the
creativity and education environment that builds
upon existing research.
- Interview teachers and educators who already
incorporate design thinking methods into school
and teacher leadership programs to identify
patterns, problems and opportunities for design.
- Build community among isolated teachers that
desire peer support, and help create access to
networks and resources provided by BLK SHP
collaborators.
OPERATION:
K12CREATIVITYLIT TLE BE TS & NE X T STEPS
20. AMPLIFY
STORIES
BLK SHP uncovers untold stories and amplifies emergent narratives
by producing and distributing original films and creative content in
partnership with broadcast and distribution channels.
21. OPERATION:
TRUENORTH
From inception, America has been built on top of
myriad narratives. Liberty. Equality. Opportunity.
Mobility. Affluence. These narratives are shared and
contested, actual and aspirational. Today, many
new American stories stay hidden in the shadows
as traditional media overlooks the voices of people
living in the heartland.
Recognizing this challenge, BLK SHP initiated
Operation: True North to identify and amplify the
grassroots narratives and stories of transformation
that define the next chapter of American life.
On the heels of a cross-country bus tour, BLK SHP is
collaborating with creative media partners, distri-
bution channels and local Outposts to produce an
episodic documentary series that shares stories and
insights from this Operation. In the season ahead,
BLK SHP will work with partners across the commu-
nity to develop a media action platform that posi-
tions narrative as a platform for action and catalyst
for grassroots innovation.
BLK SHP COLLABORATORS:
COLUMBIA DIGITAL
STORYTELLING LAB
22. JOIN THE MOVEMENT
LET’S TALK:
LEARN MORE: W W W. T H E B L K S H P. O R G
PETER “EAGLE” SIMS
Founder, BLK SHP
sims.peter@gmail.com
Help shape a movement of doers, thinkers
and creatives that are changing the way that
people, communities and organizations work
together to drive change.
Whether you join our community, launch an
Operation or identify and fund an Entrepre-
neur in Residence to lead an Operation, we
invite you to join us. Chances are, it won’t
be long before you’re on a bus and bound for
a place you never thought you’d be, with new
friends and a new nickname.
JOIN OUR COMMUNITY:
LAUNCH AN OPERATION:
NOMINATEABLKSHP:
From the grassroots to the global stage, we partner with people and
organizations that want to make little bets to drive big changes. To join
our community, plug in to an Operation, fund the Foundation or launch
an Outpost in a city near you, send us a note.
We’re always on the hunt for people, stories and projects that work
against the grain and bring people together to unlock creativity for a
greater purpose. Does someone come to mind? Let us know.
We identify and support Entrepreneurs in Residence (EIR) to launch
Operations that drive change in creative ways. Join a team of renegade
philanthropists who are committed to equipping creative problem solvers
with the tools and space needed to get the job done.
OPPORTUNITIES:
BEN “THE WHIZ” RIDDLE
Entrepreneur in Residence, BLK SHP
benjamesriddle@gmail.com
23. AND OF COURSE, DRIVING CHANGE BETTER BE FUN.
OTHERWISE, WHY WOULD ANYONE WANT TO DO IT?
