What began as an artist's dream in the basement of her gray stone is now the Little Black Pearl Art and Design Center located in the Kenwood/Oakland neighborhood. Little Black Pearl is a thriving nonprofit serving youth in the Kenwood/Oakland, Woodlawn, and Bronzeville neighborhoods on Chicago’s south side. Firmly rooted in the black community, as the population has changed, so has Little Black Pearl by working with an increasingly diverse youth population and adding curriculum and services for adults and families. Today Little Black Pearl is a 40,000 sq. ft., state-of-the-art facility in the heart of the community. This cultural arts center provides opportunities in art, culture and entrepreneurship to youth, adults and families across Chicago. In 2011 LBP expanded its vision of marrying art and education by establishing Little Black Pearl Art and Design Academy (LBPA) serving students in 9th -12th grades as an Option School within the Chicago Public School system. LBPA extends the focus on Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) by adding the opportunity for our students to engage their natural creativity and expand their learning through Artistic outlets (STEAM). Little Black Pearl Art and Design Academy.