Born in 1983, Jahmal Cole was the youngest of three children born to Lawrence and Gloria Cole. Along with his brother, Jasper, and sister, Taylor, he grew up in an impoverished family in Chicago, Illinois, and witnessed firsthand the abandonment of dreams caused by poverty and lack of opportunity.

Today, Jahmal Cole is an author, speaker, and community leader. As a child, Jahmal was inspired by Nas to dream bigger than his surroundings. At the tender age of four, young Jahmal gave his first of many speeches at his pre-school graduation ceremony. Years later, he graduated from Reuther Central High School, and Cole’s dreams of a better life took him across the Midwest to Wayne State College in Nebraska, where he spent four years on the WSC Men’s Basketball Team. The recipient of a Scholar Athlete Award in 2005, Jahmal also made the Dean’s List on four separate occasions. From there, he has continued his dedication to lifelong learning by earning a Master’s Degree in Internet Marketing at Full Sail University and an MCSA Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator Certificate from Microtrain in Chicago, Illinois.

One of Cole’s first inspirations toward public service came from his father, who ran for City Council. Today, Jahmal is using that inspiration to service and mentor inner city youth. As the founder of Role Model Movement, a not-for-profit branch of Role Model Publishing, Cole strives to make the community a better place to live as he inspires and helps teens and young adults to rise above their present circumstances and upbringing. His message has reached over 2,500 young readers to date through his motivational book, Athletes and Emcees, published by Role Model Publishing. In Athletes and Emcees, Cole shares his remarkable story as he relates how basketball and hip-hop, his two favorite pastimes, became the foundation for his success, while revealing that the opportunity for a richer, more rewarding life is available to anyone.

Jahmal is passionate about shaping a better future for today’s youth and knows that community involvement and pride can positively impact tomorrow’s young leaders. Therefore, he is currently releasing his second book entitled, “The Torch of Decency,” a groundbreaking effort to preserve Chatham’s rich history and culture, while reigniting the community’s pride and commitment to its future. Jahmal is also an active associate board member of the Children’s Research Triangle and Children’s Home + Aid and a mentor for the Illinois Education Foundation. Jahmal Cole is the Treasurer of the Greater Chatham Alliance.

Honors & Accomplishments

 
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