BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — Jamel Brooks is not your typical 13-year-old.
And it’s not just because, at his age, he already has a thriving lawn-mowing business.
It all depends on how his business makes him feel.
“I just want people to know that I’m a happy person,” Jamel said on a recent sunny spring evening.
Jamel couldn’t have been happier when a stranger delivered a lawnmower to him in June.
“The first thing I did, and I didn’t even show my mom, was do a Facebook Live,” he said with a laugh.
The donated item is a Toro Recycler with a 22-inch deck, good blades, new spark plugs, and it starts right up on the first pull, which is a good thing considering how busy he is.
“I was really excited because not only did I get a lawnmower, I also got to make some money and put some money in my pocket,” Jamel said. “It feels really special because I have my own lawn business and I’m my own boss.”
And sometimes, he’s more than just a boss.
“Two days ago, I told my sisters I’d give them $10 each if they cleaned their rooms,” he said proudly, “so now I’m going to make them work as hard as I worked and give them back that money.”
There’s no doubt that Jamel has an entrepreneurial spirit, but it’s the Holy Spirit that drives him most.
Jamel’s grandfather is Bishop Michael Brooks, senior pastor of the House of Yahshua.
“[Jammell] “It was premature. We really thought we were going to lose him,” Bishop Brooks said, “but by God’s grace, we prayed a lot and he pulled through it.”
“I always took my son to church, and when he was 2 he started grabbing the microphone. I wasn’t going to take it away from him, I just wanted to see what he would do, but before I knew it he was up and singing and preaching.”
And he never looked back.
“I give encouraging words and I do my own ministry,” Jamel said. “I post a lot of encouraging words on Facebook Live and I pray for people. I just want to see people happy with me.”
Jamel often shares positive information on social media.
But he practices it in his day-to-day work because he sees mowing the lawn as just a means to an end, another way to spread his message.
“The lawnmower business and pastoring are kind of similar because you’re making people happy,” Jamel says. “In the lawnmower business, there aren’t many people I can ask to mow their lawn, so when they say I don’t have the money right now, I’ll do it myself. And then they bring in the spiritual money…”
Spiritual money – if it could be counted, Jamel’s cup would be overflowing.
“Whether you’re a believer or not, he gets your attention. He gets your attention,” Bishop Brooks said. “And if you’re grimacing, he’ll make you smile or give you a word of encouragement. And he impacts a lot of people here, and I believe that’s his purpose.”
Jamel senses that too, from the reactions of his neighbors on their front porches.
“So every time I go somewhere, people say, young people, hang in there, you’re doing great. So it’s fun for me to do this and multitask with youth ministry and going to church because I get to move around. I’m kind of a busy person now.”
“I just love helping people in need,” he said, “No matter what they do in life or if they can’t, or what their situation is, what you’ve been through, I’m here to help you.”
You can find Jammell and book services by visiting his page on Facebook.
Dave Graber is an award-winning anchor and reporter who has been part of the News 4 team since 2015. Learn more about his work here.
