Jahmal Cole: Transforming Chicago’s Neighborhoods One Block at a Time

By Courtney Alexander& Chicago native and trailblazer Jahmal Cole discussed the adversities in his life that inspired his activism journey, revitalizing Black communities in Chicago, and his social impact organization, which transforms and renews the lives of the youth and elderly.& The mission statement of the notable Chicagoland non-profit organization My, Block, My Hood, My City is to inspire the youth, empower communities, and build a better world one block at a time.& My Block, My Hood, My City is a social impact organization founded in 2013 by Jahmal Cole, a devoted social justice advocate committed to building a more interconnected Chicago through service and education. A Dream That Started Out In The Park Cole is originally from the Northside of Chicago and grew up experiencing rough times during his childhood.& “I’m from a place called north Chicago, and I grew up on food stamps, so my mom would give me a food stamp, my brother a food stamp, my sister a food stamp,” Cole said. “And she would say, spend 10 cents each and bring $2.70 so I can buy some bleach.”& Basketball was a part of Cole’s upbringing, and he had hopes and dreams of playing in a...