We had the good fortune of connecting with Jamelle McKenzie and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Jamelle, can you talk to us a bit about the social impact of your business?
Our organization is concerned with connecting the “whole” person to the services and resources that they need. Through our partnerships with multiple local nonprofits, government agencies, and for profit organizations, we are able to assist persons in need of financial assistance, food, legal services, educational, health and senior resources. In addition, we have our own flagship programs that provide for Senior Citizens and Youth of Promise. Our partnership with the City of College Park, GA allows us the opportunity to celebrate persons from all walks of life in times of distress as well as in times of rejoicing. It is our mission to impact the world, one person-at-a-time by showing love and empowering individuals to get to the next desired level in their lives.
Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
While in graduate school at the University of Virginia, I was recruited by Macys New York for their accelerated Executive Training Program which led to me becoming a buyer for the company. After emerging myself in the long tedious hours and schedules of the retail industry, I decided that I wanted to commit my life to giving back to society in what I felt was a more tangible way. I returned to graduate school and became a certified teacher for grades K-5 in the State of Georgia. It is at that time, that I realized that my purpose and my passion on earth was to serve humanity and be a conduit in which people could be catapulted into their destiny, and thus thrive, rather than merely survive. I returned to the business world several years later as a trainer, consultant, and developer of leaders and entrepreneurs. After a successful career as National Director for an internet marketing company, I decided to return to the nonprofit sector. My parent 501c3 nonprofit organization, Adullam Ministries Inc., which is now 18 years in existence, has become successful through the business acumen I possess, my ability create culture and build teams of effective, talented, highly qualified professionals, as well as my heart to genuinely serve others in transparency and integrity.
Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
If I had friends visiting from out of town, I would have to begin with taking them to two of my favorite restaurants in the College Park; Nouveau Bar & Grill and the Corner Grille. Then I would take them to a SkyHawks NBA G-League basketball game at the Gateway Arena at the Georgia International Convention Center. Sometime during the week, we would visit Hapeville and take in a show at the Academy Theatre and catch the view at the Kimpton Overland Hotel of Delta airplanes landing and taking off from Hartsfield International Airport. If time permitted, I would introduce them to some of the lovely ladies who are members of my College Park Womans Club located at Camellia Hall in Historic College Park.
The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I would like to dedicate this Shoutout to a man who I admire greatly for his integrity and caring leadership, Councilman Ambrose Clay. Councilman Clay both inspired and assisted me with getting the Ignite Resource Center program adopted by the City of College Park. He saw the need for the services we provide to be made available to persons living in his municipality and we took him up on the offer to design a program that would help alleviate some of the stressors that they faced. I am forever grateful for his mentorship, his accessibility to his constituents, and the positive example he has set for our local community.
Website: www.IgniteCenterCP.info and www.AdullamMinistriesInc.org
Instagram: mrsjmack
Linkedin: Jamelle McKenzie
Twitter: @Jamelle McKenzie
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jamelle.mckenzie
Youtube: @mrsjmack