Activism

Blair Underwood and Black Pearl Investments Support the ‘New Oakland’

Esteemed actor and philanthropist Blair Underwood said he is joining the “New Oakland” initiative to lend his celebrity and business acumen to assist the forthcoming Oakland leadership in building a healthier and safer community.

Published

1 year ago

January 23, 2025

Oakland Post

Blair Underwood. Courtesy Gary Reeves. Gary Reeves. File photo.

By Paul Cobb
Post Publisher

After last week’s column announcing how some entertainers and current or former athletes are following the example of Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry and his wife, Ayesha, others are responding to Oakland’s needy by investing their hard-earned wealth in projects that serve and build community, more are stepping up to the plate.

The help of these wealthy people is also significant during these challenging times when many community leaders are scrambling to address the potential shortfalls of DEI (Diversity Equity & Inclusion) measures and other means of community subsidies being eliminated by the current political establishment.

Underwood has been quietly very active and supportive of Bay Area non-profits and small businesses. He is also a big advocate for under-resourced students in the public school system.

Last September he was honored in Houston on World AIDS Day for his work with the AIDS Healthcare Foundation. Janet Jackson performed a special concert in his honor coordinated by AHF and Gary Reeves, Underwood’s business partner and social impact strategist.

(Reeves is an Emmy Award-winning television producer and a former Golden State Warriors spiritual advisor.)

Underwood feels Oakland is a city worthy of resources and leadership that can emotionally impact the overall community. So, he wants to continue to meet with “trust agents” and thought leaders from the community to understand the needs of its residents.

Reeves received a letter from Black Pearl Investments (BPI) indicating that their company, which was additionally inspired by the Post News Group’s New Oakland Series, would like to partner and expand the AASEG Coliseum development plan.

Reeves said the BPI impact funds could be used to partner with the Oakland Private Industry Council for social enterprise, generational wealth-building, family entertainment and socio-economic inclusion for local residents that includes workforce housing and economic development.