This week, Her Campus had the chance to sit down with one of Alpha Phi Alpha Incorporated’s finest, Jamil Gambari. Alpha Phi Alpha has a long lasting reputation of producing handsome and intelligent young men, making Jamil the perfect fit because did somebody say 4.0?! He is a spring 2018 initiate of the Gamma Iota Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. Jamil is a junior marketing major from White Plains, New York, ending his sophomore year with a 4.0 GPA! Aside from his fraternity, Jamil has faithfully participated in a multitude of activities here on campus, for example he currently stands as Mister American Marketing Association (Mr.AMA). In his leisure, Jamil likes to workout, listen to music, and play the drum set. Keep reading to see what our Greek of the Week shared with us!
HC: How did you balance your academics and your social life?
JG: I spent my weekdays, Monday through Thursday, locked in my room focusing on my academics. In return, I was able to turn up for the weekend.
HC: Why did you choose Hampton University?
JG: I was originally a walk on for the university’s basketball team. Although I am no longer on the team, I am still here because I love the campus, the people, the environment, the culture, everything. I love black people.
HC: Why did you choose Alpha Phi Alpha Inc?
JG: I choose Alpha Phi Alpha Incorporated because I liked the way they handled themselves on campus. I saw them basically running the yard in terms of academics and social life. They have a lot of positions on campus and they looked like they knew how to have fun. I am the type of guy that likes to have fun while also handling my business, so it seemed like the perfect fit for me.
HC: What is some advice that you have for your peers in regards to academics?
JG: Know yourself. If you know you struggle in certain fields or certain classes, make that your focal point. Plan ahead. There’s a lot of time we spend on our phone during the day instead of doing work. Put the phone down. Also use quizlet to study.
HC: What do you look forward to in your fraternity?
JG: Everything, for real. I look forward to any initiate that we put in and any event that we hold on and off campus. Basically, I am trying to keep the energy that we came in with. People view Alphas as men, so I look forward to holding myself up to that standard of excellence. I am excited to keep the ball rolling forreal.
HC: What are your plans after graduation?
JG: I want to be involved with real estate. I just got my real estate license this past summer. I want a career, of course, but eventually I want to get into flipping, renting and selling homes so I can have multiple sources of income. The rest is wherever God takes me after that. Shout out to Jesus!
HC: What is the craziest thing you’ve done while at Hampton?
JG: I slept in the Student Center over night.
HC: What is your best feature?
JG: Definitely my smile.
HC: What has crossing taught you about yourself?
JG: It basically highlighted everything I needed to work on within myself. I was already a loyal person but, it showed me the extent to how deep loyalty can run.
HC: Relationship status?
JG: Single.
HC: What was your biggest challenge in life?
JG: My biggest challenge in life was being confident in who I am as a person. I suffered from depression in my teenage years. However, being surrounded with such black excellence has helped me reached a better level of confidence.
HC: Favorite quote?
JG: “I can do all things through He who gives me strength.”
-Philippians 4:13
HC: What do you look for in a girl?
JG: Past initial attraction, I would say loyalty. I look to see that she is driven by herself, confident, intelligence, and comes from a good home. I want a girl that already knows who she is so that we can level up together.
HC: Top 5 fav rappers?
JG: No order…
Reg: Jcole, Drake, Kendrick, Jay Z, Big Sean
Trap: Future, Young Thug, Migos, Lil Baby, Gunna
HC: If you could change one thing about yourself what would it be?
JG: I would change my tendency to overthink. Every time I make a decision I always think about how I could have done differently or better.
HC: What was your biggest accomplishment?
JG: To be honest, making it to 21. Growing up, I never thought I would make it to 21.
HC: What’s your favorite food?
JG: I like breakfast food (French toast, waffles, grits, everything). I also love pasta.
HC: How has life changed since you cross?
JG: It’s like i’m under a microscope. I’m doing the same things I used to do but it feels like my every move is being amplified. So I could have casual conversation with a female friend, but then next thing I know there’s a rumor going around that the same female friend is my shawty and we’ve been dating for 3 months. So it makes me more aware of everything I do. At the end of the day, I can’t control what people say and think about me. So I’m trying to find a balance between living my life for myself regardless of what that might look from the outside.
HC: Who do you look up to the most?
JG: My step dad. He came into my life when I was six and held it down since then. He showed me what a man is supposed to do, and raised me into the man i am today. Without him, I wouldn’t be where I am today. I look up to him as a father, a husband and admire how he treats my mom.
Add ons:
Height: 6’4
Birthday: April 2, 1997
Instagram: jam_gam
Twitter: jam_gam