Meet Khamall Jahi | Community Organizer & Creative

We had the good fortune of connecting with Khamall Jahi and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Khamall, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
We must be active participants in building the world we want to see. Starting a business for me was an acknowledgment of the work necessary to turn my dreams into reality. I’ve worked for many people and organizations over the years gathering information about how creative businesses operate. In 2021, I felt like it was finally time for me to take a leap of faith and bet on myself despite the fear of uncertainty. Believing in yourself is the first step. Harnessing the will power to do the step by step processes that make it happen is the real work that without my support system, I doubt I would’ve been able to make it to this point where I’m grateful for embarking on the journey and enthusiastic about what’s next to come.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
“I am because we are” this concept conveyed by the African word “Ubuntu” explains who I am as a creative business owner. I am the product of my influences and experiences. They inform how and what I express. The older I get, the more I acknowledge the legacy of who I am. I’m a representation of those who came before me and that is my greatest power. My great grand parents on both sides on my family were innovative entrepreneurs. Folks who made something from little to nothing. Dreamers not afraid to do the work necessary to see their visions through. My parents instilled this same rigor in me directly and indirectly. Directly through conversations and scenarios that invoked my critical thinking skills and challenged the beliefs I saw widespread in my world away from home and indirectly watching them be themselves. My entire life my father has been a hip hop recording artists and educator. My mother on the other hand is a lawyer who loves to go to concerts, art events, and hangout in cultural epicenters. These influences molded me into someone who sees the world as a huge malleable expression of creativity. Everything is art. That is what binds us. Our differences stem from our unique points of view of that reality. For me, the Black Arts Movement informs how I go about being a Black creative in America. That fusion of jazz, poetry, and aesthetic are the foundation of my creative identity. Creativity that can’t be suppressed. Creativity that may not be understood but nonetheless accomplishes the goal of liberating the the spirit of the person emoting and impacts the intended audience in a way that also liberates them. That is success for me. Whether I’m curating an event, working on body of work, or helping someone with a project; the overall goal is to aid in the liberation of all involved so that they can do the same for those whom encounter and resonate with.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Food: mercury Dinner, lifestyle cafe, skillet, east market, north market, Upper Cup, Budd Dairy, alchemy cafe, Bendi Box

Parable After Dark Jazz Sundays

Attractions: Spoonful records, Streetlight Guild, The Columbus Art Museum, The Citadel, Franklinton Friday, Sole Classics, Two Dollar Radio , Cole Plants , Maroon Arts Group Box Park, the KEE, Pins Bowling, Top Golf, the Book Loft

Replenish Spa

Metro Parks: franklin park, three creeks, Scioto Audubon, park of roses

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?

Yoga Instructor Adam Lawson
[email protected]

Website: thecitadel614.com

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Image Credits
Community member photos from our phones. Not applicable.