Ansley "Kamau" Pope

Kamau Pope (he/him) is a strategist, historian, and co-founder of the Ominira Project. His work sits at the intersections of history, movement-building, and institutional change. He supports individuals and organizations in building structures and practices grounded in equity, accountability, and long-term transformation.
 

Kamau brings over a decade of experience across organizing, education, and nonprofit leadership. He has led political education programs, supported grassroots coalitions, and advised philanthropic partners working to align resources with justice. His approach pairs strategic clarity with a deep attention to context, power, and the stories that shape how change becomes possible.
 

He is currently completing his PhD in History at Duke University, where his research focuses on Black queer and trans organizing in the U.S. South. His work traces how movements take root, endure, and transform under pressure. As a transmasculine scholar and practitioner, Kamau bridges research and strategy, bringing lived experience and political grounding to his work. His public history practice includes curating exhibitions, facilitating community-based oral histories, and creating space for stories often left out of traditional archives.
 

At Ominira, Kamau supports values-driven teams and institutions through strategic planning, visioning, and organizational change. He helps partners dream big and build in ways that are responsive to the conditions they are navigating and aligned with the futures they are working toward.
 

Kamau believes this work requires care, clarity, and consistency. He brings a steady, grounded presence to moments of transition, helping teams move with intention, stay connected to one another, and remain rooted in what matters most. As a partner, parent, and co-founder building this work alongside his spouse, he is grounded in the long-term work of sustaining both people and the systems they are shaping.