2022 Activist of the Year Chicago Reader, 2023 Honorary Doctorate Degree in Humanities from DePaul University

Jahmal Cole, the founder and CEO of My Block My Hood My City, is a dedicated advocate for social justice, committed to building a more interconnected Chicago through service and education.

In 2023, DePaul University recognized Jahmal with an honorary Doctorate Degree in Humanities. In 2022, Adler University also bestowed upon him an honorary Doctorate Degree in Humanities.

Acknowledged multiple times as Activist of the Year by the Chicago Reader and Chicago Magazine, he has received various awards, including the Chicago City Council Resolution Award, Chicago Defender Men of Excellence Honoree, "20 Most Inspiring Chicagoans" by Streetwise Magazine, Champion of Freedom Award, and the American Red Cross Community Impact Hero Award. Jahmal was also named one of the Most Powerful Chicagoans by Crain’s Magazine.

Jahmal has also had the honor of speaking in front of President Barack Obama, and was named Chicagoan of the Year.

Book Jahmal to speak at your next event

https://www.formyblock.org/bookjahmal

https://www.chicagomag.com/chicago-magazine/december-2018/chicagoans-of-the-year-2018/jahmal-cole/

Brandon was born and grew up in Royal Oak, MI, a suburb of Detroit, MI. Brandon received a full tuition and housing college scholarship through the Western Golf Association's Chick Evans Caddie Scholarship to attend Michigan State University. Brandon graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Accounting from Michigan State University in 2007. After graduation, Brandon moved to Chicago, Illinois to pursue his career in public accounting. Brandon joined the M3 board in September of 2018 where he was on the finance committee and also served as the treasurer. In December 2020, Brandon joined M3 full time as the CFO and is excited he can join his passion for his career in accounting along with giving back to the community. In his spare time, Brandon enjoys traveling, working on his physical and mental health, watching his Detroit sports teams, and enjoying social events with friends and family. At a young age, Brandon's parents taught him the importance of giving back to the community and helping others in need which is something Brandon has continued throughout his life. Brandon is excited and honored to be on the M3 team and help grow the Organization so it can continue to make real change in the lives of the youth of Chicago and make a social impact on the city as a whole.

Nathaniel identifies as an Activist, Youth Social Worker, Facilitator, and Teaching Artist. Born and raised in Chicago, Nathaniel has a background in youth social work, racial justice, and nonprofit leadership. Nathaniel has been with My Block My Hood My City since 2019 as one of the organization's original hires. He has had key roles in both Youth Development and Operations and currently serves as the Director of Engagement and Outreach within the Development department. Nathaniel graduated with a Bachelor's degree in American Racial and Multicultural Studies at St. Olaf College, and is currently a Masters Degree student at the University of Chicago Social Sector Leadership Program at the Crown School of Social Work. Nathaniel believes radical change can happen in communities with the right tools and investment: He is thankful for every opportunity to be a part of that change.

Director of Youth and Community Development

Stephen was born and raised on Chicago’s South Side and is honored to serve his brothers and sisters in the community. Stephen is a lifelong educator and taught for 11 years at Johnson College Prep. As a result of his effective pedagogical methods, he was selected as a Distinguished Teacher in 2020 at Noble Schools. Prior to working at Noble Schools, Stephen began his career in the non-profit sector as he found his passion being a program director for a college enrichment and after school program. In this capacity, he implemented sustainable programs and provided college tours for students in the Englewood community. This experience in the non-profit sector enabled Stephen to approach his development as a teacher-leader with an eye towards larger social issues and policy implications. He strongly believes in the power of black and brown people to lead the fight for their own liberation. Stephen is hungry to extend his impact through the great work of My Block My Hood My City. He holds a Bachelor’s in Criminal Justice from Chicago State University, a Master’s in Social Work from Chicago State University, and a Master’s in Public Policy and Administration from Northwestern University. Stephen is a proud member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity INC. Outside of work, he is a fitness enthusiast, proud husband and father of four dynamic boys.

Kymbria holds a Bachelor's in English from Spelman College, a Master's in Integrated Marketing Communications from Roosevelt University and is a candidate for a Doctoral Degree in Interdisciplinary Leadership with a concentration in Social Entrepreneurship. Her professional experience includes corporate positions at numerous Fortune 500 companies including JPMorgan Chase and PepsiCo. Though Kymbria’s corporate experience was critical to her professional development, in 2016 she decided to leave corporate America and pursue her true passion for community development and social activism. Her key skills include aligning donors with opportunities to give based on their interests and passion, developing strategic partnerships and cultivating relationships with stakeholders. Traveling is one of Kymbria’s favorite activities. She has visited nearly 20 countries across Africa, Asia, North America and Europe and does not have any plans to slow down soon. Most of all, Kymbria enjoys spending quality time with her family, especially her children. 

Director of Organizational Culture

and Human Resources 

A native of Chicago, Renée Spruill-Walker has served as a Human Resources executive for over 30 years in both private, for-profit and nonprofit companies. She has served on several nonprofit boards and advisory councils, conducted management and supervisor training, facilitated workshops, and provided board development training and consultation. As a private consultant she conducts organizational assessments and talent management searches, and helps leaders develop change strategies. Renée holds a BA in Journalism and Communication from Lewis University, a MS in Human Resource Management and Development and an MBA, both from National-Louis University.

Prior to joining My Block My Hood My City,  Renée was the Vice-President of Human Resources for  a non-profit child welfare organization in South Central Kansas where she volunteered for the Wichita American Heart Association, served as the Director of Diversity & Inclusion for Wichita SHRM, Vice-Chair for the Newton Community for Racial Justice, a member of the Wichita Chamber of Commerce Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Task Force, Board Chair for the Finer Alliance, Incorporated in Illinois and is a very proud member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated.

Program Coordinator

Chloé Graham is one of the Youth Lead Tour and Program Coordinators for the Explorers Program. Chloe is also a Columbia College graduate living in the great City of Chicago. Her most recent work experience is in Marketing/Field Marketing, working with a variety of food and beverage companies. It was definitely not luck that led Chloe to M3, as her commitment to youth empowerment seems to always organically manifest into her true passion, our youth. Chloe launched USTYLEU Magazine in 2011, to promote and encourage self-confidence in readers around the US. Ten years later, Chloe launched her organic lemonade brand, Chloe’s Lemonz. In her ventures into many neighborhoods in the Chicagoland area, she noticed they were lacking natural beverages for the youth. Giving back to the community has always been very important to Chloe. It’s not just a job. It is an investment in our future.

Program Coordinator

Ilandrea is a pillar in her community, and is especially passionate when it comes to youth-led and elder based conversations. Not only is she an activist for social justice, she is also a youth facilitator for yougsters in disadvantaged areas worldwide. Having facilitated Youth Leadership workshops in the township of Khayelitsha - CapeTown South Africa, Chicago, Atlanta, and the Twin Cities area of Minnesota. Her goal is to empower youth to be able to speak, organize around their concerns, as well as belief they can accomplish anything, using exposure and resourced opportunities. Ilandrea is also an neo soul Hip Hop artist, her pseudonym is Nuny Da Gypsy. She uses her platform to promote self love, assist with confirming the identity in the youth that she mentors. Ilandrea’s purpose is to provide a voice to people from challenged communities. Showing them that there is space for people who look like them and from where they are from. Additionally, teaching them to create that space when they have to or feel under represented.