Jamal Benjamin

The man and the mission

A life shaped by purpose.

Jamal Benjamin is a veteran, public servant, community leader, and Mason whose life has been shaped by duty, perseverance, and a lasting commitment to others. He graduated from Marcus Garvey High School in 1995 and entered the United States Army that September, beginning a military career that would span approximately twenty years.

During his Army service, Jamal completed five combat tours and accepted the responsibilities that come with leading and caring for soldiers. He retired in October 2015, carrying forward the discipline, resilience, and sense of mission developed throughout his military career.

His service continued in civilian life. From 2016 through 2023, Jamal worked for the Department of Veterans Affairs, ultimately serving in Atlanta as a GS-9 supervisor. He also worked as a paraeducator at Washington Elementary School and supported soldiers at Fort Riley through a contracting firm responsible for in-processing, out-processing, deployment, and redeployment. Each of these roles reflected the same steady commitment: helping people navigate important transitions with dignity and support.

Jamal's dedication to veterans and community remains active today. Since 2025, he has served as a VFW Commander, bringing veterans together through fellowship, advocacy, and continued service. His service to Acacia Lodge No. 91 included the Secretary's desk when Darnell Manning was elected Junior Warden. At the lodge's first stated meeting in December 2024, Jamal was elected Junior Warden; he served through the first stated meeting in December 2025, when the brothers elected him Worshipful Master of the World's Finest.

He values the bonds of Masonic brotherhood and the camaraderie of the VFW. Both communities give him opportunities to learn, lead, serve, and encourage others. As Worshipful Master, he strives to honor the lodge's traditions while strengthening the fellowship that makes Acacia a place where every brother can contribute.

Looking ahead, Jamal intends to complete his college degree, continue his study of the Masonic brotherhood, and pursue meaningful work in a worthy field where his experience can make a difference. His journey—from student, to soldier, to public servant and community leader—is united by a simple spirit: love for all and service wherever he is called.