Jamal Jefferson
Jamal Jefferson is a pivotal individual in the Tampa Bay community, committed to giving back to the next generation in his role as the Site Supervisor for the NFL YET Center. Located in East Tampa, the Jackson Heights NFL YET Center offers a safe space for children and teens from throughout Tampa. The facility houses a gymnasium, weight room, game room, and a multi-media studio, with Jefferson overseeing its entire operation, a role he has occupied since 2010.
Jefferson's role includes, but is not limited to, orchestrating the center's after-school programming, summer programming, and the facility's operation. Daily, the facility welcomes at least 50 kids from surrounding neighborhoods. By offering a secure and uplifting environment, the center allows local youth the opportunity to grow in a positive space and stay off the streets. In doing so, Jefferson has also been intentional on cultivating programming at the YET Center that children in the East Tampa area may not otherwise have access to. For example, the center offers music classes for several instruments including guitar and even ukulele that have led to performance opportunities at various Tampa events such as the East Tampa Tree Lighting. In addition, he has organized several community service projects for kids at the YET Center, as well as planned trips for those who reach certain targets with their grades in school. Under his leadership, the YET Center has also installed a multimedia center including equipment to record both podcasts and music to showcase to students the variety of opportunities available to them in the arts.
This past year, Jefferson worked alongside the Buccaneers and their partners at Jabil on a project to revitalize the center, which included supplying an updated technology lab, including new computers, monitors, and smart TVs, an enhanced multimedia studio with acoustic wall panels and new podcast recording equipment, and updates to the fitness center.
Through Jefferson's work at the NFL YET Center, he has created a lasting impact throughout the East Tampa community. His commitment to giving back to the next generation is evident in all that he does and is reminiscent of our commitment at the Buccaneers to developing the next generation of leaders. By keeping kids in the game and in the classroom, we are providing environments for them to grow into the best versions of themselves. This is a core principle of the work that the Buccaneers aim to do in the community and is mirrored through Jefferson. He embodies what it means to be a changemaker throughout Tampa Bay and beyond.