Peace family. Here's another powerful interview in part 1 of this powerful "Black Legacy" interview series titled "The Black Man Can." Let me tell you, it's been an absolute pleasure learning more about these powerful brothers through these interviews centered around their legacy. I'm grateful.
Anyway, this interview is with a dynamic brother I met recently. Jamai Wray is not only a source of inspiration, but a source of education. I've definitely gone back to posts on his facebook page to get info I needed for something I was building. All jokes aside though, this brother is brilliant and his energy is radiant. He will undoubtedly go as far as he allows his mind to take him.
Remember to leave a comment and share this interview with your friends after reading it. Thank you.
Jamai Wray is a multifaceted writer, author, educational consultant, curriculum developer, speaker, and dedicated educator for the New York City Department of Education. With a passion for empowering youth, Jamai is the author of The Random Thoughts Lifebook: A Personal and Social Awareness, Life, and Entrepreneurial Skills Workbook, which is taught in middle and high schools across the Greater New York area. In addition, he developed the P.A.S.A.L.E.S program, designed to equip students with the practical skills needed for personal growth, social awareness, and entrepreneurial success. Jamai's work is driven by a commitment to shaping future generations through education, mentorship, and innovative curriculum development, ensuring young minds are prepared for both academic and life challenges.
Personal Legacy Journey
Q1: Tell us about your upbringing. What early influences shaped who you are
today?
A1: My childhood was tough, especially after my father passed when I was 11. I experienced homelessness and spent time in group homes starting at 14, followed by incarceration. As a young adult, I did whatever I had to in order to survive and get what I thought I needed, no matter the cost. This led me to become a loner, a risk-taker, and someone who was fearless but struggled to ask for help. But what truly shaped me was reading. Books—non-fiction, self-help, autobiographies, history, esoteric works—provided me with the knowledge and self-awareness I desperately needed. I developed a deep interest in understanding human behavior, and through that, I discovered who I truly was. I believe that education, especially at that stage in my life, sparked my spirituality. If it weren’t for those books, my experiences would have turned me into a completely different person. It was reading that truly made me who I am today.
Q2: What inspired you to pursue your career path? Were there pivotal moments
that changed your direction or perspective?
A2: The late Kevin Allen and Jamaal Bowman were the ones who inspired me to pursue education. It all started when I gave Mr. Allen a copy of my first book. He read it, passed it on to Dr. Bowman, and soon after, I was invited to speak at a Career Day. The response from the teachers and students—seeing how my vulnerability and authenticity connected with them—felt so genuine and welcoming. Being in that classroom was a powerful experience, and it sparked something in me to continue on this path. Later, when the Principal purchased books for the entire school and I was invited to create a curriculum in one of his classrooms, it not only changed the course of my life but gave me the direction I needed to move forward.
Q3: Who have been your biggest role models or mentors, and how have they
impacted your journey?
A3: Kevin Allen, Jamaal Bowman and Kim Hunt are the three people that have been the biggest mentors and role models in my life. Meeting them at the age of 35, at a time when I felt my failures outshined my accomplishments, they helped me see all that I’ve endured, the fruits of my labor and the resilience it took not to become another statistic. I was a milkman when I met them. A truck driver. It’s because of them that within three years I became a
full-time entrepreneur and working as an educator. Something I never saw coming.
Community Impact and Responsibility
Q4: How has your work contributed to the Black community?
A4: Growing up as an African American man in the South Side of Jamaica, Queens, in the '90s, one thing that stood out to me after my father's passing was the absence of Black male leaders. There was no one to guide us, and without family support, the only resources available were sports programs, which didn't always provide the mentorship we needed. I made it my mission to become the person I wish I had in my life back then. That's why I created a curriculum for Black and Brown scholars, equipping them with the personal and social awareness, life skills, and entrepreneurial knowledge they need to navigate the challenges of life. What took me 25 years to learn is now packed into a workbook that spans an entire academic year. Through this, students learn how to communicate effectively, recognize and manage their fears, stay focused, ask for help, say no when necessary, and many other vital life skills, including understanding what it means to be Melanated in mind, body, and spirit.
Q5: In your opinion, what does Black male leadership look like today, and how can
it grow stronger?
A5: We have powerful Black male thought leaders and activists working to awaken and elevate the consciousness of our community, but their messages of growth, love, and positivity often aren't in the mainstream. I believe we have incredible male leaders, but what we really need are strong leaders within platforms like hip-hop, which have such a significant influence on our people’s minds. Our Black men are doing an excellent job contributing to the movement of uplifting and enlightening our community. As for how it can grow stronger, I don't have enough information or insight on that specific area.
Q6: How do you empower others, particularly younger Black men, to succeed and
leave their own legacy?
A6: Set the example through your actions. Be the change you speak about. If we created a blueprint for Black leaders—detailing the values they should embody and the qualities they should exhibit—and those leaders lived them out consistently, it would inspire a nation to focus on building strong family legacies and fostering the well-being of their communities. True empowerment comes from leading by example, not just by words.
Black Culture and Heritage
Q7: What does Black culture mean to you?
A7: Black culture encompasses our beliefs, traditions, music, dance, fashion, literature, and overall style—everything that has evolved over time through the Black experience, whether in Africa, the Caribbean, here in the U.S., or abroad. I believe the roots of modern Black culture in America began in New York City, and from there, it spread to places like Los Angeles and the South. Undoubtedly, Black people are the world's top entertainers, and Black culture is the most influential and imitated culture globally. However, while Black culture has shaped much of global trends, there are aspects that could be improved. My hope is that, moving forward, our culture reflects more positivity, love, and compassion than it currently does.
Q8: How do you stay connected to your heritage, and why is it important for others
to do the same?
A8: I don’t have any cultural teachings. What I do believe is that whatever you put your energy into, whatever you vibrate at, you will become. “To do unto others, as you want others to do unto you”. These are my teachings gathered from my personal experiences. I always remain connected to them and feel like every human should have something that creates balance where peace, love and happiness exist. This will make the world a better place.
Q9: What does the word legacy mean to you as a Black man?
A9: Legacy, to me, means making a lasting impact in helping our people progress to the next level. It’s about leaving behind contributions that elevate and empower our community, ensuring that the effects of my efforts continue even after I’m no longer here.
Vision for the Future
Q10: What are your hopes for the future of the Black community?
A10: My hope for the future of the Black community is that we mature and develop the courage to stand up for what’s right, without fear of the consequences. I envision a community where we stop tearing each other down and instead uplift and support one another. A community where we have each other’s backs, and there’s no room for hate or malice towards any melanated individual. We should work together to grow, not fight against one another. I also hope we can establish a strong, supportive family structure, similar to the unity seen in other communities like the Jewish and Mexican communities.
Q11: What advice would you give to young Black men seeking to define their
purpose and build a meaningful legacy?
A11: Dream first. The things you do when you’re dreaming are going to build you to be able to handle your purpose. You must have a dream that is so big, it scares you. Because dreams are what leads to purpose. Lastly, always think about the you 10 years from now.
Q12: How can we, as a collective, work toward a stronger, united future for Black
people?
A12: To work toward a stronger, united future for Black people, we need to take gradual, intentional steps. While the idea of waiting for external forces to intervene may be a joke, the reality is that the stakes are high and the fear is deeply ingrained. Convincing our people to fight is challenging, and the work needed for unity and strength will take time—likely at least 100 years. What we can do now is focus on the projects and initiatives that will break down these barriers, piece by piece, to lay the groundwork for those who come after us. By doing so, we make the struggle a bit easier for the generations to follow until the fight is ultimately won.
Rapid-Fire Insights
Q13: What is your favorite book or movie about Black excellence?
A13: Brainwashed is my favorite book when it comes to Black folk. It’s not because it speaks of black excellence, but because it speaks of why we are not and how we’ve been conditioned and indoctrinated. I like to understand the “why” in things.
Q14: What is the best advice you’ve ever received?
A14: You don’t wait your turn; you make your turn.
Q15: What’s one word that describes your legacy so far?
A15: Resilience
Q16: What is your favorite childhood memory?
A16: There isn’t a specific memory. The summers of 90-92 were the best. As kids growing up in South Jamaica, we had apple fights on the block, built go-carts, clubhouses out of wood and junk we found in vacant lots, rode bikes to get lost, played a lot of basketball in the parks and football in the streets.
Q17: What was your dream as a child?
A17: I wanted to be a corporate lawyer.
Thank you once again family for reading another interview in this series. I'm thoroughly enjoying highlighting these phenomenal Black men working in their own unique ways to make the world a better place. This is soul-filling work. Word.
Please remember to leave a comment and share this article with your networks after reading.
Peace & Love,
Lashawn "Suga Ray" Marston
Founder, Lashawn Marston Enterprises
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