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Meet Jemell: From D.O.C. to C.E.O

Meet Jemell: “From D.O.C. to C.E.O.”


“In a harsh world, no one here has ever judged me. I have been encouraged and rewarded at HACC.”


Long before he was a HACC student, Jemell Hill went through as much adversity as life could throw at him. He said, “I believe it’s important to know where I came from. I grew up in the Bronx, where my father was incarcerated for murder and my mother was addicted to crack cocaine. At 12, I began selling drugs to feed my brother and myself. I was in and out of prison over a 25-year period, returning to the streets to deal. As I prepared to leave prison in 2013, I pledged it would be my last time, that I would change my life and become successful the right way.”

He enrolled in business classes at HACC’s York Campus in 2014, after working hard to earn his GED and learn about real estate. He said, “Choosing HACC was one of the best decisions of my life.” Jemell said he was surprised at what a quality school HACC is, and that he can take the same classes that are taught at prestigious colleges at a lower cost.  

Not only is Jemell a college student, but he is an author, businessperson, motivational speaker and role model.

“Once I earn my associate degree, I’d like to continue to reach out to schools, share my story and empower others,” he said.

Click here to read more about Jemell.     

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Hill Jemell portrait