BLD PWR (Build Power) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization co-founded by actor and activist Kendrick Sampson. The organization focuses on engaging pop culture, education, and activism to build a community of storytellers and activists committed to advancing radical social change. BLD PWR partners with grassroots organizations and works across various social justice movements, including gender, racial, immigration, economic, and environmental justice.
Build Power aims to disrupt systemic oppression, combat state violence, and center wellness for marginalized communities. It is particularly active in mobilizing influential figures from the entertainment industry to use their platforms for social activism and liberation. BLD PWR also focuses on storytelling and hosting events that promote healing, mental health, and social justice.
KENDRICK SAMPSON
FOUNDER AND PRESIDENT
Kendrick Sampson is an actor, producer and activist who leverages his platform and storytelling to shift culture for good.
Growing up in Houston and Missouri aka “Mo City”, Texas, Kendrick Sampson was dropped into a unique and deeply rooted culture of music and art.
His most acclaimed and notable characters from “Nathan” on HBO’s Emmy-nominated comedy series, Insecure, to “Ethan” in Prime’s popular romantic comedy
Something from Tiffany’s and his personal favorite, the surrealist satire “I am a Virgo” from Boots Riley – Kendrick has been achieving his lifelong goal of shifting culture through storytelling and uplifting nuanced, diverse, and authentic portrayals of Black men.
He uses his platform to amplify transformational grassroots work in intersectional mental health justice, sexual health and liberation and fighting state violence. Kendrick co-founded BLD PWR which includes a production company and social impact (501c3) arm whose mission is to “Reimagine and Realize the liberated future we know our people deserve” by organizing Hollywood and shifting the culture toward nourishing and protecting nuanced Black, Indigenous, and marginalized leaders and everyday people, especially our storytellers and their stories.“
ANSHANTIA OSO
CO-FOUNDER AND BOARD MEMBER
Anshantia “Tia” Oso is an organizer, strategist and creative producer. Well recognized for her work as a leader in social justice, Ms. Oso has organized for over 10 years leading successful campaigns to mobilize thousands of advocates for issues ranging from migrant rights and racial justice to arts education. She specializes in using narrative, messaging, arts and culture to advance change. Notable projects include the NY Times featured Who Owns Black Art? exhibition at Art Basel Miami and influencer impact strategy for the Mass Bail Out of Rikers Island. Tia is committed to advancing justice through love and building power for Black liberation.
KIMBERLI ALEXANDER
DIRECTOR OF PEOPLE, OPERATIONS & CULTURE
Kimberli Alexander is an accomplished Human Resources and Operations professional who has been a steady champion of empowerment, equality and efficiency for over 25 years. Kimberli’s commitment to ensuring that best practices are not only effective, but forward thinking is the foundation of success to her partnerships with major studios, record labels, talent management and production companies.
The philosophy of viewing Human Resources as a mediator who provides customer service on behalf of the employer and the employee requires an approachable demeanor and trustworthiness that is consistently marked as one of Kimberli’s many attributes.
Kimberli has used her expertise in talent acquisition, benefits, compliance, employee relations, performance management, training and development, succession planning, and operations management to create an infrastructure that fosters an innovative and rewarding culture. Her efforts in aligning strategies with organizational business goals have resulted in considerable increases in efficiency, productivity, retention and cost reductions.
As the Director of Operations, People and Culture for BLD PWR, Kimberli serves as a lead team member and cross – organization liaison managing the ecosystem’s day-to-day operations, infrastructure, and the project and event management for Houston. She provides strategic direction and oversight of the company’s initiatives to support the mission, vision and values of BLD PWR through unapologetic wellness, truth and authenticity.