BILL UNDERWOOD INITIATIVE FOR LEADERSHIP & DEVELOPMENT

BUILDING DREAMS AGAINST THE ODDS

A new initiative of **WE GOT US NOW** inspired by the unwavering devotion and commitment to parenthood displayed by Bill Underwood, father of Founder/CEO, Ebony Underwood.
Despite the challenges of over three decades of incarceration, Mr. Underwood maintained an unblemished institutional record, remained committed to raising and parenting all 4 of his children & grandchildren, and spent his time mentoring young men inside prison walls, contributing to a “culture of responsibility” while incarcerated in some of the harshest US federal prisons.
Since his return home in 2021, he has been invited 2X to testify at Congressional hearings as an advocate for criminal justice reform.

THE ROOTS OF OUR COMMUNITY

**BUILD** is a groundbreaking initiative of WE GOT US NOW designed to harness the wisdom, knowledge and lived experience of formerly incarcerated parents from across the United States.
As change agents, **BUILD Ambassadors**, contribute valuable insights that restore hope, dignity, and tackle the most pressing issues facing justice impacted families across generations.
What makes BUILD truly unique is its intergenerational approach. This will be the first time we see **“PARENT-CHILD ALLYSHIP**”—formerly incarcerated parents working alongside children with incarcerated parents as allies—to uplift policies and practices that keep families connected, reshape systems of accountability, and create pathways that build broad support for family integrity that delivers better generational outcomes.
BUILD Ambassadors will elevate their subject matter expertise through public education, civic and community engagement, research, allyship, and policy to advance the mission of **WE GOT US NOW.**

BUILD AMBASSADORS

“On the WE GOT US NOW tree of life, the Actionists are the flowers ,and the Ambassadors are the roots.”

BILL UNDERWOOD

is a Harlem, New York native, father, grandfather, mentor, consultant, public speaker, advisor, entrepreneur, Senior Fellow at The Sentencing Project for the Campaign to End Life Imprisonment and WE GOT US NOW Scholar-In-Residence. In January 2021, he received a compassionate release from federal prison after serving 33 years on a life sentence. Since his release he has been invited 2X to testify at Congressional hearings as an advocate for criminal justice reform. With zero infractions during his over three decades of incarceration, Underwood was the inspiration for Sen. Booker and Rep. Bass’s Second Look Act as recognition for his dedication and commitment to rehabilitating his life. Prior to his arrest, he held a successful career as a prominent music promoter, manager, and publisher for some of the top R&B, pop, and jazz artists in the world.

His daughter, Ebony Underwood is the founder/CEO of WE GOT US NOW.

KEMBA SMITH-PRADIA

is a Richmond, Virginia native, wife, mother, 2025 Presidential Pardon recipient, criminal justice consultant, advocate, public speaker, and author of Poster Child: The Kemba Smith Story. Previously, she was a member of the Virginia Criminal Sentencing Commission and the Virginia Parole Board appointed by Governor Terry McAuliffe and Governor Ralph Northam, respectively. Mrs. Smith-Pradia also frequently liaises and advises senior officials from state houses to the White House and United Nations.

In 1994, Mrs. Smith-Pradia was sentenced to 24.5 years in federal prison with no chance for parole while pregnant, despite being a first-time, non-violent offender. She regained her freedom when granted executive clemency in December 2000 after having served 6 1/2 . She has received numerous awards and recognition for her courage and determination to educate the public about the devastating social, economic, and political consequences of current drug policies. In 2024, she took on a new role as Executive Producer of the self-titled film, KEMBA.

HECTOR RODRIGUEZ

is a native of Long Island, New York and Artist who explores themes of community, justice, and freedom using vibrant colors with mediums spanning from discarded materials, watercolor, ink and acrylic. Arrested at age 21, Mr. Rodriguez spent 27 years and 2 months in state prison. While incarcerated he participated in the Bard Prison Initiative and served on the steering committee of Rehabilitation Through the Arts. Upon release, he was accepted by the Yale Prison Education Initiative College-to-Career Fellowship. Today, he uses his art to challenge societal perceptions of incarcerated individuals and highlights the complexities of accountability, and redemption.

His only child, Hector Rodriguez, Jr., is a 2022 WE GOT US NOW Actionist.

ORRIN JACKSON

is a native of Charlotte, North Carolina, father, mentor, criminal justice reform advocate, community leader and entrepreneur. He sits on the Board of Directors at The Center for Community Transitions and is a Dream.org Justice Leader, Accountability Partner with City Startup Labs and Atrium Health and a Community Liaison with both the Exodus Project and Project Bolt. Mr. Jackson spent 31 years of his life in prison. Released from prison in June 2021, he counsels and mentors young men caught up in the juvenile justice system and in partnership with organizations such as Concrete Roses continues to reach out to young men and women so that they may avoid repeating a continuous cycle of destructive, demeaning and ill-advised behavior.

His only child, Ashley Jackson, is a 2020 WE GOT US NOW Actionist.

OUR COMMITMENT STATEMENT

BUILD leverages the multi-generational wisdom of lived experience from formerly incarcerated parents to elevate policies and practices that keep families connected, reshape systems of accountability, and challenge the broader societal impacts of mass incarceration.

As a branch of the WE GOT US NOW network, we are committed to driving change by using our collective voice to shift hearts, minds, culture and policy, alongside the Actionists community, ensuring that families affected by incarceration will no longer merely survive, but thrive together. As a beacon of hope and source of inspiration, we strive to create a more inclusive and compassionate society—one where families remain united, and communities are empowered.

We cannot do this work alone; your support is essential to achieving these goals and reimagining a future that prioritizes the well-being of all families.