Pitch Black / How a pitch event for Black founders grew beyond the stage into "The Home of Black Ideas" — a scalable brand and digital platform that lifted ticket sales 25% and expanded to three event series.

A person wearing a cap and colorful vest posing outdoors with large text that says 'Pitch' and a paragraph about how to build a fashion brand with Tyler the Creator.
A person wearing a cap and colorful vest posing outdoors with large text that says 'Pitch' and a paragraph about how to build a fashion brand with Tyler the Creator.
A person wearing a black shirt with the word 'PITCH' and 'BLACK' written in purple, standing against a purple gradient background.
A person wearing a black shirt with the word 'PITCH' and 'BLACK' written in purple, standing against a purple gradient background.
A collage of website screenshots for Pitch Black, showcasing various sections including featured founders, sponsorship support, signature events, food, latest episodes, and story highlights with diverse images and colorful backgrounds.
Person wearing a black long-sleeve shirt with hands on hips, with a lanyard around neck and a badge that reads "PITCH" and "That's my stage" and "FOOD".
Person wearing a black long-sleeve shirt with hands on hips, with a lanyard around neck and a badge that reads "PITCH" and "That's my stage" and "FOOD".
A person wearing a black baseball cap with the words 'BLACK 1 Founder' embroidered on the front, a black shirt, and against a purple background.
A person wearing a black baseball cap with the words 'BLACK 1 Founder' embroidered on the front, a black shirt, and against a purple background.
A bright orange and white food event save the date poster on a light wood table. The poster mentions an event on February 22nd at The Armory in Portland, OR, with the word 'Food' at the bottom.
A bright orange and white food event save the date poster on a light wood table. The poster mentions an event on February 22nd at The Armory in Portland, OR, with the word 'Food' at the bottom.
Black hoodie with NASA-themed graphic in purple and white text and icons, including words like 'Astronaut,' 'Architect,' and 'Scientist,' along with a stylized mountain range graphic.
Black hoodie with NASA-themed graphic in purple and white text and icons, including words like 'Astronaut,' 'Architect,' and 'Scientist,' along with a stylized mountain range graphic.
A purple knit beanie with a black and white 'Pitch Black' patch on the front, worn over long dark curly hair against a purple gradient background.
A purple knit beanie with a black and white 'Pitch Black' patch on the front, worn over long dark curly hair against a purple gradient background.
A digital billboard with a lavender border displays a photo of a person standing on grass near a large rock, with a text overlay that says "The home of black ideas" and a website URL pitchblack.org. The billboard is mounted on a wall with vertical ribbed paneling, and the room has a modern, minimalist style.
A digital billboard with a lavender border displays a photo of a person standing on grass near a large rock, with a text overlay that says "The home of black ideas" and a website URL pitchblack.org. The billboard is mounted on a wall with vertical ribbed paneling, and the room has a modern, minimalist style.

Project Information

Stage

Established

Industry

Non Profit

Services

Brand Sprint
Website Sprint

Impact Points

Economic Equity

  • As a B Corp, Odd Notion only partners with founders building products that benefit people and planet. We sort that commitment into three tiers:

    • Measured impact — brands with verified, certified outcomes, like a fellow B Corp or non-profit.

    • Unmeasured impact — brands doing real good that haven't yet quantified it.

    • Do no harm — brands we're proud to build because of how they operate.

    Pitch Black sits in our measured-impact tier. Its entire reason for existing is to put capital, social capital, and a national platform in the hands of Black founders — channeling funding to early-stage entrepreneurs and building the network that helps their businesses grow. The impact isn't a side effect of the product; it is the product.

Situation

A bold vision emerged from an unexpected place: What if Portland, known as the "Whitest City in America," became a catalyst for Black entrepreneurial excellence? What if we reimagined capital conversations around the strength of community connections? These questions drove Stephen Green to launch the first Pitch Black event in Portland, Oregon, a decade ago. That singular moment ignited a movement that has since flourished across Seattle, Austin, and Philadelphia—with ambitious plans to transform entrepreneurial landscapes in Atlanta, Houston, Detroit, New York City, and Los Angeles.

Problem

Pitch Black approached us with a clear mission: evolve beyond events into something greater.

The challenge was to transform how Pitch Black is positioned—elevating it from an event platform to a comprehensive digital ecosystem. This strategic evolution led us to coin "The Home of Black Ideas"—a compelling digital destination where founders discover inspiration and funding opportunities.

Furthermore, Pitch Black's leadership envisioned a national expansion with industry-specific events. This ambitious growth required a sophisticated, scalable brand system.

Solution

We crafted a comprehensive brand system that empowers Pitch Black to confidently expand across industries and cities. Our website design bridges the gap between physical events and digital engagement, creating an always-on platform for celebrating Black founders. The result? A dynamic digital space showcasing Pitch Black's expanding content universe—from engaging podcasts to compelling founder stories and creative merchandise.

Team

Creative Direction: Eleazar Ruiz
Graphic Design: Eleazar Ruiz
Typography: Tré Seals
Tone & Voice: Diana Taggart
Motion Design: Greg Stewart
Case Study Photography: Nolis Anderson, Texas Isaiah, Anjali Pinto and Whitney Gibson

Impact

  • Strategic Clarity

    A renewed sense of purpose among the founding team, growing enthusiasm for upcoming events, deepening engagement and attracting sales, black talent and sponsorships.

  • Events offering expansion

    Pitch Black went from offering one main event to three events expanding its industry reach with Pitch Black Food.

  • 16% increase in sponsorships

    Enhanced brand presence attracted more corporate partners.

  • New podcast launch

    Inaugural series now reaches audiences beyond events.

  • 25% growth in event ticket sales

    Strengthened identity increased attendance.

Press

Black background with large outlined text that says "Remodel" in a minimalist design.

Brand New ↗︎

“Overall, a literally and figuratively solid identity that should help empower the organization that in turn will empower Black founders that in turn is a win-win for all involved.”

Read

Partial logo displaying with the text 'the---Brandy' in black font on a white background.

The Brand Identity ↗︎

“What began as a singular event in Portland, Oregon, has evolved into a nationwide force for change, connecting Black entrepreneurs with resources, mentorship, and opportunities for growth.”

Read

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