Wednesday, May 26, 6pm CT
Private Online Event - TICKET PURCHASE required


"Gives us the words and tools to fight for the justice our families deserve." --Tamika Palmer, mother of Breonna Taylor
"A powerful voice in consistently reminding us that we all have a stake in the fight for a just, fair, and equitable America." --Jada Pinkett Smith, actor, producer, entrepreneur
Social justice leader Tamika D. Mallory states her case for action in this searing indictment of America's historical, deadly, and continuing assault on Black and brown lives.
Drawn from a lifetime of frontline culture-shifting advocacy, organizing, and fighting for equal justice, State of Emergency makes Mallory's demand for change and shares the keys to effective activism both for those new to and long-committed to the defense of Black lives.
From Minneapolis to Louisville, to Portland, Kenosha, and Washington, DC, America's reckoning with its unmet promises on race and class is at a boiling point not seen since the 1960s. While conversations around pathways to progress take place on social media and cable TV, history tells us that meaningful change only comes with radical legislation and boots-on-the-ground activism. Here, Mallory shares her unique personal experience building coalitions, speaking truth to power, and winning over hearts and minds in the struggle for shared prosperity and safety.
Forward-looking, steeped in history, and rich with stories from life on the margins of American life, State of Emergency is a revelatory examination of the challenges we face, of the forces we must overcome, and a blueprint for all who maintain hope for social equity and a better tomorrow.






Growing up in the suburbs of Houston, Texas, Kendrick Sampson was surrounded by musicians and artists, and naturally gravitated to the arts. His work ethic, paired with a natural charismatic personality, took him from one project to the next, where he now plays Nathan on HBO’s Emmy nominated comedy series, “Insecure.”
Kendrick found his breakout role as Jesse on the hit CW series, “The Vampire Diaries.” In early 2014, he secured a series regular role on the Fox event series, Gracepoint alongside heavyweights Nick Nolte, Anna Gunn, Jacki Weaver and Michael Pena. In 2015, Kendrick joined the cast of the ABC hit series, How To Get Away with Murder as Caleb Hapstall and in 2017, Sampson recurred on the Showtime comedy “White Famous” as well as the CW hit series, "Supernatural" and “The Flash.”
The young star recently stared in Freeform’s feel good holiday film “Ghosting”, which shared a cautionary tale of texting while driving and coming together as a family. In the film, the holiday film tells the quirky and heart-warming story of Jess (Aisha Dee), who goes on the greatest first date of her life, but inadvertently “ghosts” Ben (Sampson) when she tragically dies in a car accident on the way home. Most recently, Kendrick stared in Channing Godfrey People’s MISS JUNETEENTH which explores the journey of Turquoise Jones, and the story of a dream deferred.
Kendrick uses his voice to empower marginalized communities and to shine light on issues of inequity. His activism is focused on racial justice, specifically intersectionality within criminal justice reform and uniting the oppressed Black, Brown & Indigenous communities. He is a proud supporter of the Standing Rock and Black Lives Matter movements, progressive political campaigns, and social justice education. A true advocate for change and community building, Sampson is in the third year of BLD PWR, an organization committed to taking action and how to do so in a healthy way. The ultimate goals are to build up the next wave of activists while providing resources and tools for equitable change on a grassroots level.
Amanda Seales is a comedian and creative visionary with a Master’s in African American studies from Columbia University. You know her as, “Tiffany DuBois” of HBO’s Insecure and her HBO stand up special, “I Be Knowin.” She is a former co-host on daytime talk show, “The Real,” host of NBCs “Bring the Funny,” and hosted the groundbreaking 2020 BET Awards. The creator/host of the hit live, and now virtual, music/comedy game show, “Smart Funny & Black,” she speaks truth to change via her wildly popular instagram, weekly podcast, “Small Doses,” and book by the same name, and recently launched her membership community app, “SFB Society” a social media space to fight the power while claiming your joy! A Jedi Khaleesi with a patronus that’s a Black Panther with wings, she keeps audiences laughing, thinking, and living in their truth!