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Creator’s House

Project of:

Black Lives Matter Global Network Foundation
Founded:

2022

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Creator’s House is a $6 million home in Los Angeles owned by the Black Lives Matter (BLM) Global Network Foundation that the group says will be used as housing and a studio for Black artists and influencers. 1 The purchase of the home was criticized after reports alleged that the group has used a portion of the $90 million in windfall donations it received in 2020 to buy the mansion for the use of top executives and engaged in other questionable financial practices. 2 3

Purchase

In October 2020, BLM Global Network Foundation purchased a 6,500 square foot mansion in Los Angeles. The property, as reported by Sean Campbell of New York magazine’s Intelligencer, had more than 6 bedrooms and bathrooms, a sound stage, a pool, and a bungalow. Campbell reported that the group paid nearly $6 million in cash for the property in October 2020. 4

Cullors Family Involvement

Campbell’s reporting revealed that BLM Global Network Foundation co-founder Patrisse Cullors and members of her family benefited from the property. Tax filings report that Paul Cullors’ security firm was paid $840,000 by BLM Global Network Foundation for providing security. 5 Campbell’s reporting uncovered a messaging group in which Paul Cullors provided updates on a reported snooping incident at the property and in which Paul Cullors performed “the same role for properties [Patrisse] Cullors purchased with her own funds.” 6

Internal text messages Campbell received indicated that “Other internal records indicate Cullors’s mother was approved for a cleaning job at Campus and that Cullors’s sister signed the same kind of nondisclosure agreement as other employees at the property, although it’s not clear if the sister worked there.” 7

Additionally, Cullors reportedly used the campus to film videos for her personal YouTube channel. 8

Fallout and Criticism

In April 2022, New York reporter Sean Campbell published internal communications that showed BLM Global Network Foundation officials’ reactions to his inquires. The communications indicated that the organization was unclear how to explain the purpose of the property, known internally as “the campus,” to the public. 9 The memos suggested that it be used as an “influencer house” where “artists & creatives” could produce “abolition+ based content” or as a “safehouse” for the group’s leadership when they felt threatened. 10 11

Campbell noted the contradiction in using the house in public media content while also claiming that it was a safe house, and stated that the two uses “are somewhat in tension.” The group also did not explain why little to no content been developed at the “Creator’s House” over the 17 months following its purchase. 12

When news of the house became public, there was an outcry from other BLM-affiliated organizations and activists who argued that the property was a waste of resources and that the national leaders were living in luxury while some local activists were homeless. Other activists demanded that the organization cease using their names in fundraising efforts. 13

Black Joy Creators Fellowship

On April 1, 2022, BLM Global Network Foundation announced the creation of the Black Joy Creators Fellowship, based at Creator’s House. 14 15

The group claimed that art and culture has the power to “dismantle white supremacy” and achieve “full liberation” in the U.S. and across the world. The fellows would live in the Creator’s House and have access to its studio and production space and be able to collaborate with other fellows. The announcement also stated that the fellows would have access to mentorship and social media promotion. It also stated that the program would not emulate “white supremacist models.” 16

References

  1. “Exclusive: Black Lives Matter Global Network Announces Fellowship And Creator House Centering Joy.” NewsOne. April 2, 2022. Accessed July 16, 2022. https://newsone.com/4313089/black-lives-matter-global-network-announces-fellowship-centering-joy/.
  2. Baron, Julian. “Black Lives Matter Continue to Fracture after Founder’s Home Buying Spree.” WBMA. April 16, 2021. https://abc3340.com/news/nation-world/black-lives-matter-continue-to-fracture-after-founders-home-buying-spree.
  3. Campbell, Sean. “Black Lives Matter Secretly Bought a $6 Million House.” Intelligencer. April 4, 2022. Accessed July 16, 2022. https://nymag.com/intelligencer/2022/04/black-lives-matter-6-million-dollar-house.html.
  4.  Campbell, Sean. “Black Lives Matter Secretly Bought a $6 Million House.” Intelligencer. April 4, 2022. Accessed July 16, 2022. https://nymag.com/intelligencer/2022/04/black-lives-matter-6-million-dollar-house.html.
  5. Loh, Matthew. “A Black Lives Matter Cofounder Used $840,000 of the Group’s Funds to Pay Her Brother for ‘Security Services.’” Yahoo News. May 19, 2022. Accessed July 18, 2022. https://news.yahoo.com/black-lives-matter-cofounder-used-075136722.html.
  6.  Campbell, Sean. “Black Lives Matter Secretly Bought a $6 Million House.” Intelligencer. April 4, 2022. Accessed July 16, 2022. https://nymag.com/intelligencer/2022/04/black-lives-matter-6-million-dollar-house.html.
  7. Campbell, Sean. “Black Lives Matter Secretly Bought a $6 Million House.” Intelligencer. April 4, 2022. Accessed July 16, 2022. https://nymag.com/intelligencer/2022/04/black-lives-matter-6-million-dollar-house.html.
  8. Campbell, Sean. “Black Lives Matter Secretly Bought a $6 Million House.” Intelligencer. April 4, 2022. Accessed July 16, 2022. https://nymag.com/intelligencer/2022/04/black-lives-matter-6-million-dollar-house.html.
  9. Campbell, Sean. “Black Lives Matter Secretly Bought a $6 Million House.” Intelligencer. April 4, 2022. Accessed July 16, 2022. https://nymag.com/intelligencer/2022/04/black-lives-matter-6-million-dollar-house.html.
  10. Campbell, Sean. “Black Lives Matter Secretly Bought a $6 Million House.” Intelligencer. April 4, 2022. Accessed July 16, 2022. https://nymag.com/intelligencer/2022/04/black-lives-matter-6-million-dollar-house.html.
  11. “Exclusive: Black Lives Matter Global Network Announces Fellowship And Creator House Centering Joy.” NewsOne, April 2, 2022. Accessed July 16, 2022. https://newsone.com/4313089/black-lives-matter-global-network-announces-fellowship-centering-joy/.
  12. Campbell, Sean. “Black Lives Matter Secretly Bought a $6 Million House.” Intelligencer. April 4, 2022. Accessed July 16, 2022. https://nymag.com/intelligencer/2022/04/black-lives-matter-6-million-dollar-house.html
  13.  Campbell, Sean. “Black Lives Matter Secretly Bought a $6 Million House.” Intelligencer. April 4, 2022. Accessed July 16, 2022. https://nymag.com/intelligencer/2022/04/black-lives-matter-6-million-dollar-house.html.
  14. [1] Campbell, Sean. “Black Lives Matter Secretly Bought a $6 Million House.” Intelligencer. April 4, 2022. Accessed July 16, 2022. https://nymag.com/intelligencer/2022/04/black-lives-matter-6-million-dollar-house.html.
  15. “Exclusive: Black Lives Matter Global Network Announces Fellowship And Creator House Centering Joy.” NewsOne. April 2, 2022. Accessed July 16, 2022. https://newsone.com/4313089/black-lives-matter-global-network-announces-fellowship-centering-joy/.
  16. Exclusive: Black Lives Matter Global Network Announces Fellowship And Creator House Centering Joy.” NewsOne. April 2, 2022. Accessed July 16, 2022. https://newsone.com/4313089/black-lives-matter-global-network-announces-fellowship-centering-joy/.
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