Community activism and a desire to achieve artistic fulfillment have been the twin forces driving William Jenkins and impacting every career choice and decision he's made throughout his life. Born in Nashville at what was then Baptist Hospital in 1975, he was raised and has spent his life in Nashville's Black community, more specifically the Bordeaux neighborhood. 

While originally living with his parents, William Roddy and Selene Jenkins, his mother decided to move in with her parents due to repeated incidents of abuse from his father. Fortunately, his grandparents Rudolph and Mary Coleman proved loving and nurturing, particularly his grandmother.

His education began at Bordeaux Elementary, continuing at Whites Creek Comprehensive High School, of which he's a proud graduate. During his high school years, Jenkins served as President of his graduating class, a role that continues to shape his life in terms of loving rigorous discussion and community forums. 

Jenkins was also a National Merit Scholar, which is among the indicators of his continual quest for knowledge and enlightenment, as well as an active and sizable intelligence. He developed what's become a lifetime enjoyment of sports in his role as the announcer introducing members of and statistics for the boys basketball teams, as well as serving as the boys team's basketball manager. 

He has attended both an HBCU Tennessee State and Lipscomb University. Jenkins' community spirit and desire to help make positive changes in his neighborhood was intensified during his time at Tennessee State, where he was elected to the Student Government Association as a Representative At Large, and participated in the Great Debate. He also joined the Thomas Edward Poag Players Guild, which was a catalyst in fueling and shaping his creative urges and motivation.

An equally important part of his life, and one that also influences his choices of creative material, is a strong faith and belief in God. He traces the start of his acceptance of Christ to his childhood, and was baptized at 12. He's a longtime member of the Church of Christ, and currently attends Otter Creek Church, one of Nashville's premier religious institutions.

Ironically, one of daytime television's most memorable and yet also most controversial and morally ambiguous (to be charitable) had a huge impact on his decision to pursue a career in the entertainment world. This was "General Hospital's" famous Luke/Laura storyline of the '80s with Anthony Geary and Genie Francis. 

It was criticized then, and only a few days ago freshly criticized by no less than Francis, for taking what was initially viewed as a rape and re-branding it as  a seduction. But no matter what anyone may think of it in terms of moral principles, as a creative event it remains arguably the most popular and influential moment on that show, if not in daytime TV as a whole (which was then dominated by soap operas). It made Geary and Francis major stars.

That storyline resonated with Jenkins, who informed his mother he was interested in becoming an actor. From early beginnings that included serving as an announcer for his high school band, Jenkins initial involvement in a theatrical work was producing "The Awakening" in high school. (It was a play that his friend Reegus Flenory wrote about for Black history.) 

Those early events have powered William Jenkins' evolution into a multimedia artist who writes, produces and acts. He has had some vital mentors and along the way, such gifted folks as Barry Scott, Herman Brady, Kimberly LaMarque, Robert Churchwell Jr, and Mrs. Pulley were all people that are critical to my being here now. 

He also cites a prominent list of major individuals whose various talents he deems influential in the shaping of his craft. These people include Stan  Lee, Spike Lee; Public Enemy; The Notorious B.I.G.; Raphael Saadiq. Robert Deniro, Al Pacino, Kevin Spacey, Denzel Washington, Wesley Snipes, Laurence Fishburne. S.A. Cosby, Kiese Laymon, Arthur Miller, Lorraine Hansberry, Richard Price and David Simon. 

 "Death of A Salesman," "Malcolm X," "Wall Street," "Heavy," "Blacktop Wasteland," "House of Cards," and " A Raisin In the Sun," are among the many notable plays, films and novels he considers seminal works to help him develop concepts and a performing identity as well. 

Now 47, William Jenkins maintains an active and prolific schedule. He's currently developing a podcast that is going to explore what it means to be a Black male living in a city like Nashville. He's also officially begun a consulting business. (It will merge his community activism with his entertainment activities.) In addition, Jenkins is a producer whose scope ranges from films to music videos and commercials.  

Still, he's also devoted and dedicated to acting. For 2023 Jenkins has two main goals. As an actor he says "I am always looking for thought-provoking work." When it comes to film his goal is "to have my next film released by next year." In conclusion, William Jenkins looks to the future, while also understanding the importance of the past and the necessity for improving the present.