Jahmal Cole
Founder and CEO
Jahmal Cole is the founder and CEO of My Block My Hood My City and a dedicated advocate for social justice—committed to building a more interconnected Chicago through service and education.
Jahmal has been widely recognized for his leadership and impact. He is a multi-time Chicago Reader Activist of the Year, Chicago Magazine Chicagoan of the Year, Chicago Defender “Men of Excellence” Honoree, and a recipient of the American Red Cross Community Impact Hero Award. He is also the subject of the acclaimed feature documentary A Tiny Ripple of Hope.
He 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, in one of his final acts in office, President Joseph R. Biden Jr. awarded Jahmal the President’s Volunteer Service Lifetime Achievement Award—a prestigious honor celebrating his steadfast commitment to empowering young people and strengthening communities across Chicago.
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Brandon Kowalski
Chief Financial Officer
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Bintu Njie
Senior Director of Operations and Fundraising
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Briana Mathews
Manager of Youth Development
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Ashley Godfrey
Executive Assistant and Volunteer Coordinator
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Chloe Graham
Program Coordinator, Youth Development
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Daniel Edwards
Accountant and Data Analyst
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Ilandrea Nichols
Program Coordinator, Community Development
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Katie Steeno
Marketing Coordinator
Board of Directors
Will Hobert, Chair - Managing Member, WH Trading
Tiffany Wartman, Treasurer - Director of Finance, Urban Prep Academies
Andy Buchanan - Deputy Director of Communications, Illinois Department of Public Health
Rickey F. Harris - Principal, Whitney M. Young Magnet High School
Tonya Hooks - Executive Assistant, Alvarez and Marsal Management Consulting
Elizabeth Krebs - Financial Advisor, CFP and CWS, Krebs Financial Management