Life & Work with Jamal Stewart of North Carolina

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jamal Stewart.

Hi Jamal, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I’m Jamal Alphonso Stewart—a community builder, entrepreneur, creative director, operations leader, and cultural curator based in Charlotte, North Carolina. My story is rooted in my Jamaican and Liberian heritage and shaped by a faith-centered upbringing. Raised in the church, I learned the values of service, leadership, hospitality, and community—principles that continue to guide both my personal life and professional journey.

Professionally, I have built a career leading operations across healthcare, luxury retail, fashion, and customer experience organizations. From launching new facilities and developing high-performing teams to driving business growth and operational excellence, my passion has always been helping people and organizations reach their full potential.

At the heart of my work is Jentleman Brand, a lifestyle platform I created to celebrate culture, connection, style, and community. What began as a passion for fashion and personal development has evolved into a brand that brings people together through events, storytelling, networking, and community engagement. Jentleman Brand represents my belief that true success is measured not only by what we achieve, but by how we inspire, uplift, and connect others along the way.

My love for fashion has also led me into creative direction and brand development. Through luxury menswear leadership and creative consulting, I have helped shape brand identities and customer experiences. One project especially close to my heart is Angel Love Crochet & Company, founded by my sister, DeJané Angel Cade. Supporting the growth and creative vision of her company reinforced my passion for helping entrepreneurs transform ideas into impactful brands.

Many people know me as the “Street Mayor of Charlotte,” a title earned through years of connecting people, businesses, and opportunities throughout the city. Whether through Jentleman Brand, hosting events as “Jentleman J,” or developing experiences through The Alphonso Lounge, my mission remains the same: to create spaces where culture, conversation, and community thrive.

My audience expanded nationally through Netflix’s Love Is Blind Season 6, but the experience simply amplified what I was already doing—building authentic connections and fostering meaningful relationships. Today, I continue to host weddings, galas, networking events, and cultural experiences while championing entrepreneurship, men’s wellness, and community impact.

At 35, I find myself in a season of reinvention and growth. My journey has included professional success, creative ventures, public visibility, and personal challenges, all of which have strengthened my faith and resilience. Through every chapter, I have remained committed to being a bridge between people, cultures, and opportunities. Ultimately, my story is one of faith, creativity, leadership, and service—and I believe the most impactful chapter is still being written.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
No, it has not been a smooth road—and honestly, I wouldn’t want to tell my story as if it were.

Like many first-generation children of immigrant parents, I grew up balancing high expectations, cultural identity, and the desire to create opportunities that previous generations didn’t have. Throughout my career, I’ve often found myself navigating spaces where there were very few people who looked like me in leadership positions. That experience taught me resilience, adaptability, and the importance of believing in myself before others do.

One of the most transformative chapters of my life came through my experience on Netflix’s Love Is Blind Season 6. Like many people, I entered that experience with certain expectations of what success might look like afterward. In a world driven by viral moments and social media fame, it’s easy to measure success by followers, headlines, or internet attention. While I may not have become an overnight sensation, the experience taught me something far more valuable: God’s plan is always greater than our own.

Looking back, I now see that the opportunity wasn’t simply about television—it was about growth, exposure, and preparation. The experience challenged me to reflect on who I was, what I truly valued, and how I wanted to show up in the world. It expanded my network, introduced me to new opportunities, and reinforced the importance of authenticity over popularity.

More recently, I’ve experienced professional setbacks and seasons of uncertainty that tested my faith, confidence, and perseverance. Navigating unemployment after years of leadership experience forced me to confront questions about identity, purpose, and resilience. It reminded me that titles and positions can change, but character, relationships, and faith remain constant.

Building Jentleman Brand has also required patience. There were moments when resources were limited, opportunities didn’t materialize as expected, and progress felt slower than I envisioned. Yet I’ve learned that every seed doesn’t bloom immediately. Sometimes the work you’re doing today is creating opportunities you won’t see until months or years later.

Today, I operate with a different perspective. I no longer feel pressured to chase every opportunity or compare my journey to anyone else’s. I trust that what is meant for me will find me as long as I continue showing up, serving others, and remaining faithful to my purpose. The relationships I’ve built, the experiences I’ve created, and the impact I’ve made throughout Charlotte continue to generate new opportunities in ways I could never have predicted.

Through every challenge, my faith has remained my foundation. I’ve learned that setbacks are often preparation for something greater. Every obstacle has strengthened my resilience, deepened my empathy, and reinforced my commitment to serving others.

The greatest lesson I’ve learned is that success isn’t about avoiding adversity—it’s about maintaining your purpose while moving through it. I believe some of the biggest opportunities of my life are still ahead of me, and I have learned to embrace that possibility with confidence, patience, and faith.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
It’s difficult to describe my work with a single title because my career has always existed at the intersection of business, creativity, culture, and community.

At my core, I am a connector, builder, and storyteller. Professionally, I have led operations across healthcare, luxury retail, and customer experience organizations, managing teams, launching new business locations, improving performance, and developing people. My leadership background has allowed me to build systems that help organizations grow while creating exceptional experiences for both employees and customers.

Outside of corporate leadership, I am the founder of Jentleman Brand, a lifestyle platform centered around culture, connection, style, and community. Through Jentleman Brand, I have created experiences that bring together entrepreneurs, creatives, professionals, and community leaders while encouraging authentic relationship building and collaboration.

Many people throughout Charlotte know me as the “Street Mayor of Charlotte” because of my ability to connect people and opportunities. That reputation has opened doors for me to serve as an emcee, host, curator, and community ambassador for events ranging from weddings and galas to networking experiences and cultural celebrations.

Creatively, I work as a photographer, visual storyteller, and creative director, helping individuals and brands bring their vision to life. I’ve contributed to brand development, event concepts, marketing campaigns, and creative strategy for emerging businesses and entrepreneurs. One of my passions is helping transform ideas into experiences that people can see, feel, and remember.

I am also actively involved in some of Charlotte’s most engaging social and cultural communities, including Mad Miles and RnBrew, organizations that align with my passion for fostering meaningful connections and creating spaces where people can build relationships through shared experiences.

What sets me apart is my ability to move seamlessly between business leadership and creative expression. Whether I’m leading a team, hosting an event, building a brand, directing a photoshoot, or connecting people within my network, my mission remains the same: to create opportunities, strengthen communities, and leave people better than I found them.

Of everything I’ve accomplished, I’m most proud of the impact I’ve had on people. The relationships I’ve cultivated, the communities I’ve helped build, and the opportunities I’ve created for others represent my greatest success. Titles may change, but creating meaningful connections will always be my life’s work.

Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
One of the biggest misconceptions about networking is that it’s about collecting contacts. In reality, it’s about building genuine relationships.

I’ve never approached networking by asking, “What can this person do for me?” Instead, I’ve tried to approach people with curiosity, authenticity, and a willingness to add value. Some of the most impactful opportunities in my life didn’t come from formal networking events—they came from consistently showing up, supporting others, and building trust over time.

I also believe mentors don’t always arrive in the form we expect. Some of my greatest mentors may not even realize the impact they’ve had on me. I’ve learned from business leaders, entrepreneurs, creatives, community organizers, family members, and friends simply by observing how they move through life and lead others. Sometimes mentorship is a relationship, and sometimes it’s an example.

What has worked best for me is being present in my community. Whether through Jentleman Brand, Mad Miles, RnBrew, professional organizations, community events, or simply introducing people to one another, I’ve learned that relationships grow when they’re nurtured consistently. Networking shouldn’t feel transactional—it should feel like community.

I often tell people that opportunities travel through relationships. Long before someone offers you a job, partnership, investment, or introduction, they’re deciding whether they trust you, enjoy being around you, and believe in your character. That’s why I focus on building meaningful connections rather than chasing immediate outcomes.

As someone many people refer to as the “Street Mayor of Charlotte,” I’ve learned that your reputation often enters a room before you do. Be known for being dependable, kind, professional, and generous with your time and knowledge. People may forget what you said, but they’ll remember how you made them feel.

Most importantly, don’t wait until you need something to build relationships. The strongest networks are built long before they’re needed. Invest in people, celebrate their wins, support their work, and stay connected. Over time, those relationships become one of the most valuable assets you can have.

For me, networking has never been about climbing ladders—it’s been about building bridges. And every meaningful opportunity in my life has come from a bridge that was built through authentic human connection.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @jentleman.brand , @emceejentlemanj
• Facebook: https://Facebook.com/jamal.a.Stewart