Kendrick Sampson’s BLD PWR, SisterSong and GBEF Present a Two-Day Cultural Convergence Honoring BLD PWR Day & Juneteenth in Houston
HOUSTON, TX — BLD PWR, the social impact organization founded by actor and activist Kendrick Sampson, in partnership with SisterSong, Global Black Economic Forum, Road to Essence Tour and The Session: R&B Jam, proudly announces Build Power Day x Juneteenth 2025, a transformative two-day celebration taking place June 18–19 at The Ion, Savoy and Soiree Event space in Houston.
This cultural convergence will honor Black liberation, joy, and resistance through immersive programming from block parties and film screenings to town halls and afterparties, amplifying voices across the Black diaspora.
“This isn’t just a celebration; it’s a cultural communion,” says Kendrick Sampson. “It’s about reclaiming space, storytelling, and building sustainable systems of Black joy and justice. In a time when our stories are being erased and our spaces for joy are shrinking, gathering in the heart of Houston to celebrate Black liberation feels especially urgent.”
“Culture is one of our most powerful tools to shift narratives, strengthen the Reproductive Justice movement, and build toward collective Black liberation. As our rights, freedoms, and communities are relentlessly under attack, it is essential to create spaces for us to unite, organize, and mobilize.” Monica Simpson, Executive Director of SisterSong: Women of Color Reproductive Justice Collective, said. “To celebrate Juneteenth, SisterSong is proud to partner with BLD PWR and the Global Black Economic Forum to end our Road to ESSENCE tour on the second annual Build Power Day and unite our communities around Black liberation and joy.”
“Juneteenth reminds us that freedom cannot be fully realized without economic power. As we gather in Texas, we’re not just commemorating history; we’re building a future rooted in justice, joy, and self-determination,” said President and CEO of Global Black Economic Forum Alphonso David. "This Road to ESSENCE event, one of the final stops before the 2025 ESSENCE Festival of Culture in New Orleans, stands at the intersection of economic freedom and reproductive justice. It’s a celebration of our right to thrive—to live, to make decisions about our bodies, and to build generational prosperity with pride and purpose.
As an official stop on the Road to ESSENCE tour, this event also connects to a broader national movement to mobilize Black communities around health, wealth, and systemic change. With Houston, a cultural epicenter for Black migration and innovation, as the backdrop, the two-day experience doubles as a rallying point and a refuge for collective power.
In recognition of Black Music Month, this two-day experience will be soundtracked by DJs and artists who blend Afrobeats, R&B, hip hop, amapiano, soca, reggae, and more, reflecting the global Black experience. From Fela Kuti to Lauryn Hill, the soundscape is curated to inspire movement, memory, and joy. Music is the thread, and the rhythm, that ties it all together.
EVENT HIGHLIGHTS
BLD PWR DAY – Wednesday, June 18
Block Party @ The Ion (3–6:30 PM)
Black-owned food trucks, art collectives, DJs, and poetry
“The Pit”: a nostalgic Black cinema lounge
Activations, including youth workshops, civic education, and marketplace vendors
Screening (Film TBA)
“Real Talk: The Living Room Experience” on Black maternal health, hosted by SisterSong x BLD PWR
Evening at The Savoy- Club Karaoke Afterparty hosted by Kiotti
JUNETEENTH – Thursday, June 19
Block Party 2.0
Soul-charged celebration with curated art, live poetry by Wan Poetry, food trucks, vendors, and cultural programming spotlighting Black freedom and futurism
Evening Programming:
The Session: R&B Jam — A sonic sanctuary and showcase produced by R&B Jams, featuring live musicians, emerging vocalists, and surprise guests
The evening culminates in an exclusive Juneteenth Finale Afterparty at a private location.
ABOUT BLD PWR
Founded by actor and activist Kendrick Sampson, BLD PWR builds community power through civic engagement, narrative change, and healing justice. The organization partners with grassroots movements and creatives to activate cultural and political transformation, centering marginalized communities and amplifying their stories through immersive experiences, policy change, and coalition building.
ABOUT SISTERSONG
SisterSong: Women of Color Reproductive Justice Collective is a Southern based, national membership organization; our purpose is to build an effective network of individuals and organizations to improve institutional policies and systems that impact the reproductive lives of marginalized communities. Twitter. Instagram. Facebook.
ABOUT GLOBAL BLACK ECONOMIC FORUM
The Global Black Economic Forum is an international enterprise focused on advancing the economic interests of the Black Diaspora and other marginalized groups through global summits, workplace training and leadership development, policy advocacy and litigation, and thought leadership.
ABOUT R&B JAMS
R&B Jams is a cultural movement and sonic sanctuary dedicated to celebrating rhythm and blues through live performance, storytelling, and curated experiences. Known for The Session: R&B Jam, the collective amplifies emerging talent and honors the legacy of Black musical expression.
MEDIA CONTACT
Dorcey Yetunde Kuti
pr@bldpwr.com | 832-287-1664
Follow @bldpwr and @sistersong_woc for live updates and behind-the-scenes moments.
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