VIDEOS

Jaxon Rowlan, Youth Executive Committee member and longtime Build 2 Lead member spoke about his connection to Build 2 Lead, his experience seeing BIPOC owned businesses succeeding, and Build 2 Lead's overall impact on his current success.

Jeneah Ford, Member of our Youth Executive Committee speaks about our impact, her involvement in our B2L Legacy "Melanin and Medicine" event, and how seeing representation in healthcare can impact all youth in Washington State.

Najmah Messiah works with the More In Common Alliance and is an advocate for B2L through our P.O.W.E.R Council initiative. As a premier partner Najmah has helped B2L usher in multiple initiatives, with a focus on creating pathways and pipelines for BIPOC students in our B2L Direct programs. Hear Najmah's experience at the Melanin and Medicine event.

Dr. Veronica Mallet, represents the Morehouse School of Medicine. Dr. Mallet describes her passion for creating equitable pathways to healthcare careers for BIPOC students and her connection to Build 2 Lead. Thank you Dr. Mallet for your continued commitment to innovation and equity!

Dairyona Thompson is a Lead Youth Training Specialist at Build 2 Lead. Her leadership and overall passion for helping our staff, students, and community members is what drives her every day. Hear Dairyonas Experience at the P.O.W.E.R Conference 2.0!

Evan Cook is a current coach, mentor and business owner of restoringmindz, llc. He joined Build 2 Lead to conduct a workshop dedicated to helping youth understand their own leadership potential and discuss the importance of community.

Here is a recap of our 2nd Annual Melanin and Medicine event in South King County at Thomas Jefferson High School.

Dairyona Thompson leads our “Reaching For Greatness” after school enrichment programming. Youth learn a multitude of skills related to leadership development, college readiness, emotional intelligence and basic financial literacy.

Founded in 2020, Build 2 Lead is a non-profit 501c3 organization in Washington State. Here our Executive Director details his passion for youth development, community empowerment, and systems change.

Ericka Winters, member of our Youth Executive Committee, speaks about our role in helping her advocate for your herself and her community, the impact we have had on her overall success, and plans for the future after graduating from various B2L programs.

Build 2 Lead Hosted our 3rd Annual Melanin and Medicine Event at Thomas Jefferson High School during Black History Month. Melanin and Medicine was founded to expose youth and young adults to BIPOC healthcare professionals, showcase non-traditional career journeys in healthcare, and build confidence in their ability to pursue medical careers. 

Najmah Messiah works with the More In Common Alliance and is an advocate for B2L through our P.O.W.E.R Council initiative. As a premier partner Najmah has helped B2L usher in multiple initiatives, with a focus on creating pathways and pipelines for BIPOC students in our B2L Direct programs. Hear Najmah's experience at the Melanin and Medicine event.

Cynthia Ricks-Maccotan is the Community Integration Program Manager for the Community Health department at St. Francis Hospital. Cynthia is a long-time advocate for Black and Brown communities in South and Greater King County as well as empowering BIPOC social impact organizations who are looking to disrupt systems. Hear Cynthia's passionate testimony on her experience.

Sunny Curry is a Healthcare Pathways Specialist with Tacoma Community College. She is truly passionate about connecting BIPOC youth and young adults to non-traditional pathways to healthcare careers. Hear Sunny speak more about her experience at the P.O.W.E.R Conference 2.0!

An acronym for Prosperity. Ownership. Wellness. Empowerment. Resiliency,  P.O.W.E.R is apart of Build 2 Lead's overall B2L Legacy initiative. Hear our Executive Director Jimmy Brown, speak about the importance and value of this event and how you can get involved.

Listen to our Executive Director speak about the importance of Melanin and Medicine, his personal "WHY" for increasing healthcare equity, and future plans.

Learn about Build 2 Lead and what we do. Our staff talks about the programming and impact we make on the community.