Author: Ryan Black

Ryan Black

Ryan Black is best known as the co-founder and CEO of SAMBAZON, the world’s leading manufacturer of açaí-based products.

Ryan created the company with his brother, Jeremy Black, and friend Ed “Skanda” Nichols, following a surf trip to Brazil in 1999 where they experienced their first açaí bowls and subsequently introduced açaí to North America.

SAMBAZON is an acronym for “Sustainable Management of the Brazilian Amazon,” as the açaí berry is a food staple and source of income for over a million people in the Amazon’s Varzea, the flooded forest basin of northern Brazil.

Guided by the business principles of the “triple bottom line” (social, environmental, and economic success), SAMBAZON has created positive change in the Amazon Rainforest and beyond by protecting biodiversity, sustainably managing thousands of acres of forest, and increasing the socio-economic status of thousands of small family farmers.

Previously, Ryan played professional football in both the NFL and European Football Leagues, where he played his final season in 2000. Ryan received a BA in Finance from the University of Colorado at Boulder. He lives near the beach in San Clemente, CA and his passions include social entrepreneurship, travel, music, and surfing.

Ryan speaks multiple languages, and credits his time at Boulder and international football career as the stepping-stone to a socially responsible, international business.

Big Voices

What If Consumer Curiosity Kept Brands Honest? How due diligence can break down false promises and greenwashing
How can consumers choose eco-friendly products in a world where greenwashing is everywhere? According to Ryan Black, Co-founder and CEO of SAMBAZON, if an ethical claim cannot be proved, treat it as a promise, not a fact.

by Ryan Black June 26, 2026

How can consumers choose eco-friendly products in a world where greenwashing is everywhere? According to Ryan Black, Co-founder and CEO of SAMBAZON, if an ethical... Read more.

Magazine & Blog WordPress Theme

Why I’m Switching to Ecosia and by the End of this Article You Will Too

The world might seem terrifying at the moment, but the impact of our search engines doesn’t have to be. There’s a better way to use the internet, and it’s called Ecosia.

Invisible, but Present: From Landscape to Table with Moza

In the Hajjar mountains of the UAE, artist and chef Moza Almatrooshi is connecting people, food, and place at her cafeteria, championing a new way of interacting with a meal: an approach she calls ‘landscape to table.’

Our Skies Which Never Sleep: The Cost of SpaceX and Reflect Orbital’s Satellite Plans

Earth’s most unifying vista could be changing forever. Reflect Orbital and SpaceX intend to launch enough satellites they could fundamentally alter humanity’s access to the stars while increasing light pollution. CEO of Dark Sky International, Ruskin Hartley, describes the costs of losing the night.

Author: Ryan Black

Don’t miss an email

Newsletter

Why I’m Switching to Ecosia and by the End of this Article You Will Too

Invisible, but Present: From Landscape to Table with Moza

Our Skies Which Never Sleep: The Cost of SpaceX and Reflect Orbital’s Satellite Plans