I AM BLACK HISTORY | Jahmal Cole

Jahmal Cole

Jahmal Cole is Black History because his life’s work proves that consistent service can transform a city. He did not wait for permission or position. He built impact from the ground up by connecting people to their neighborhoods, their schools, and each other.

As the founder and CEO of My Block My Hood My City, Jahmal Cole has dedicated his life to creating a more interconnected Chicago through education, exposure, and direct service. What began as a simple idea rooted in caring for one’s block grew into a citywide movement that empowers young people, uplifts communities, and encourages Chicagoans to see beyond their immediate surroundings.

Jahmal’s leadership has been recognized across the city and the nation. He is a multi time Chicago Reader Activist of the Year, a Chicago Magazine Chicagoan of the Year, a Chicago Defender Men of Excellence honoree, and a recipient of the American Red Cross Community Impact Hero Award. His story and philosophy of service are also captured in the acclaimed feature documentary A Tiny Ripple of Hope, which highlights how small, consistent acts can lead to lasting change.

His commitment to service and education has also been honored by academic institutions. Jahmal holds two honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degrees, one from Adler University recognizing his philanthropic achievements and another from DePaul University honoring his lifelong dedication to serving Chicago’s youth and communities.

Most recently, Jahmal received the President’s Volunteer Service Lifetime Achievement Award, presented by President Joseph R. Biden Jr. in one of his final acts in office. This prestigious honor recognizes decades of unwavering commitment to empowering young people and strengthening communities across Chicago.

Jahmal Cole is Black History because he turned compassion into structure and service into a movement. He showed that loving your city means showing up for it every day, especially where it is most overlooked.

Black History is not only about who we remember. It is about who continues to serve.

And Jahmal Cole is doing exactly that for Chicago.