Meet Jamila Hazel – Architect, Advocate, and All-Around Amazing Woman
Our Full Cup Amazing Woman is someone who fills the room with warmth, wisdom, and quiet strength: Jamila Hazel.
I could go on forever about how incredible she is, but I’ll let her introduce herself in her own words:
“Hello. My name is Jamila Hazel. I’m 42, turning 43 this year. I’m the mother of two beautiful daughters, ages 10 and 6. I’ve been married for 13 years. I’m a registered architect and a proud graduate of Tuskegee University. I’m originally from New Orleans, Louisiana… I think those are the high points.”
I will add one important detail: Jamila is my friend—one of those people you’re just lucky to do life with. We’ve been friends for years and recently attended our 25th high school reunion (To You, McMain…).
A Word from the Past
Life in the 40s: “My mom warned me…”
Jamila shared that hitting her 40s has been like flipping on a light switch. Suddenly, everything clicked—and not always in a gentle way.
“My mom warned me: ‘When you turn 40…’ but I didn’t know it would happen so fast. I really started to understand myself. I’ve learned to prioritize my own needs, to put on my oxygen mask first without guilt.”
One lesson that stuck with her is a powerful visual:
“I was recently talking to a woman who said we’re all juggling balls. Some are rubber and some are glass. You have to learn which ones can bounce and which ones will shatter. My happiness? That’s a glass ball. Other things are rubber. As a mom, I have a lot of rubber ball moments, like If my daughter eats PB&J because I need rest—that’s okay. We’re all gonna be fine.”
Let that sink in.
Making Space for Herself
So how does a woman who wears so many hats—mom, wife, architect, friend—find time for herself?
Jamila credits her community of friends:
“My friends fill my cup. I don’t feel drained after time with them—I feel whole. They give as much as they take. It’s a beautiful balance.”
She is the creative friend who makes every event feel professionally curated—from t-shirts to jewelry, crafts to decor — Jamila creates and contributes. But she does it joyfully because she's surrounded by people who refill her.
The Evolution of Friendship
Friendships evolve, and Jamila knows that better than most. Life stages shift—marriage, motherhood, moves—but the bond remains.
"In 2014, it felt like there was a new baby announcement every month. We all got pregnant around the same time, and it was amazing to go through that journey together—it really kept me grounded. Even the friends who weren't moms yet were incredibly supportive. And when my daughter was born, she came everywhere with me—even to brunch. It was just understood that she was always part of my plans."
She’s learned to give grace, to understand intention, and to love her people through every season.
“I don’t take it personally if we don’t talk every day. We’re grown. We’re busy. But we’re still connected.”
Navigating This Season
Now? We’re in a different chapter: Perimenopause, brain fog, itchy ears (seriously), overstimulation, and very thin patience.
“I get so overstimulated and easily frustrated now. I need more quiet. More time in bed watching TV. Less of these streets!”
We laughed, but whew—if that isn’t the realest thing.
Pushing Through
When asked what helped her step into the bold, confident woman she is today, Jamila reflected on her journey with gratitude.
“Sometimes I was just in the right place at the right time. Not to say I didn’t earn it, but it’s like God and the universe always made a way.”
From internships that turned into careers to a hurricane that launched her into a new city (hello, Atlanta), Jamila followed the open doors.
“I didn’t always feel bold, but the opportunities came, and I walked through them. I’ve been laid off, moved, lost and found again, and kept going. It’s all been a blessing.”
Jamila is a mom, a wife, and a business owner — and she works a full-time job.
She’s the kind of woman who walks into a room and fills it—not just with presence, but with purpose. Her laugh is easy, her stories magnetic, and she’s not afraid to say the hard things.
She’s raising daughters who see her hustle, her softness, her strength, and her truth. Her daughters are learning from a woman who refuses to quit, who believes in showing up as her full self—messy, honest, beautiful and all things in between.
She says the hard parts of life—the heartbreaks, the pivots, the moments you didn’t plan for—are where you find the good stuff.
And when asked what advice she’d give to someone who hasn’t reached their 40s yet, she doesn’t sugarcoat it:
“Get ready. You’re going to learn yourself—and then the lightbulb will go off. You’ll have laser-sharp knowledge of what makes you happy, what you want, and what you don’t want. And you won’t have the patience for anything outside of that. If it doesn’t serve you, get rid of it. Oh, and you can’t make everybody happy.”
That’s what makes her energy so magnetic. She’s not just living—she’s building. She’s laying down each truth like a foundation, framing joy into the everyday, and leaving no space for what doesn’t fit the blueprint of her becoming.
Jamila Hazel is a woman of quiet power, deep insight, and unshakable grace.
She reminds us that choosing ourselves is not selfish—it’s survival.
She reminds us to give our friends grace and our children peanut butter and jelly (sometimes).
She reminds us that we are not alone in the chaos, the changes, the forgetting, the itching (seriously, why the ears?).
Jamila, we see you. We celebrate you. And we’re so grateful to have you in our circle.
✨ Inspired by Jamila?
Jamila is a proud member of The Full Cup Society—a vibrant community for women 40+ who are done shrinking, ready to dream louder, and live life fully, on their terms.
Want in? The first 50 women to join get founding member status with free lifetime access.
Your seat at the table is waiting—come join us. 💛
