Jamel Mosely was ready to leave town. He had an opportunity in New York City. It only made sense that he’d move on to bigger things. And then his uncle showed up at his door and gave him a set of keys to a building he was told was now his studio.

It was an opportunity and a responsibility Mosely couldn’t turn down.

The Capital Region wouldn’t be the same place it is today if Mosely had left. His drive, vision, inspirational presence and even-keeled approach have seen his influence grow exponentially. From photographer, videographer, promoter and general svengali to local creatives and entrepreneurs, Mosely has built Power Breakfast—a weekly meetup for entrepreneurs where they share best practices and help keep each other accountable to their dreams.

“He wants to see everyone win,” says fellow Creative Under 40 Amani O. “He helps you use everything you have to be the person you want to be. He is the one person in the room who is connected to thousands of other people. Jamel uses all his time to build up other people and we love him for it. It’s been an honor to watch him grow and it’s exciting to think about where he’s going to be in the next ten years.”

As part of Collectiveffort, a creative agency that focuses on digital media and “personal development” Mosely is working on a number of exciting new creative ventures including a coworking space.  

It was another coincidence that led Mosely down this path.

About seven years ago now Mosely was leaving his studio on Delaware Avenue in Albany during the annual street festival. It just so happened that Tony Iadaccico, now director of Albany Center Gallery, was painting desks outside. Mosely says he went over to ask Iadaccico to move the desks, as they were impeding foot traffic to the studio. But they soon got to talking.

“We shared stories about what we wanted to do, and how we were trying to make things happen in the community,” recalls Iadaccico. “He took me into his space, showed me around. We connected about music and community. I told him I was a board member of the Albany Barn. We talked about how he could get involved and what we could do for future collaborations, and from there, he made moves and kept focused, put in time. [He] is making some major projects come to life now.”

Soon Mosely leased space at the Barn. Today he is on the board. He works with groups like Youth FX and the Sanctuary for Independent Media mentoring and educating area youth. “As a creative human, he’s always dreaming of what can be and figuring out the ways to make it happen with partnerships and collaboration,” says Iadaccico.