“Others can inspire you, but ultimately the only thing that empowers you is what lies within you and learning how to better utilize what you’ve been given.” – T.D. Jakes,
About Jamel Burrell
Jamel Burrell grew up in the city The Bayview District of San Francisco California.
He attended Pelton Middle School where he took special interest in Sports and the arts and won 3rd place in All City Track and Field. After graduating he moved on to McAteer High school where he excelled in History and Band. Although he was athletically gifted he opted out of competing in High School sports but spent the majority of his after school hours at Portola Park and Rec under the tutelage of Coach Mayfield.
​
In1997 he was in a horrific car accident that left him paralyzed from the waist down.
From that moment on Jamel took complete control of his life and rather than being bitter he got better and began his work with the Youth Justice Institute where he found his passion helping young men in the Juvenile Justice System and The San Francisco Sheriff's Department Restorative Justice Program where he shared his journey about trauma and insecurities at a young age and how he developed the tools he used to overcome all the odds against him.
​
​
​
​
​
He attended City College of San Francisco to study leadership skills, early childhood development and the impact of Mass Media on people with disabilities.
As a result of mass media studies and seeing these negative perceptions and images that the media reflected on people with disabilities triggered Jamel to create Able Bodywear. Designing pockets on urban wear made to be stylish and accessible to people with disabilities.
​
Today he runs two very successful businesses K2L Keys To Independent Living & GRINDTYME APPAREL
He is a mentor, motivational speaker, businessman and author soon to publish his new book Resilience!
​
The journey continues...
​
​
​