Our School

EJ Jamele ‘01 does not shy away from taking the road less traveled. When faced with a challenge, he charges forward with a dynamic strategy and unapologetic tenacity.  It seemed fitting that he would find himself working in a world that covets trendsetting, fast-paced environments, and split-second decision making. As the CEO of crowdMGMT, an elite brand and talent MGMT and production firm, he fuels his day with innovative passion, transparent authenticity and underdog energy.

In the Connecticut-based Jamele household, a very young EJ was encouraged to be creative by his parents. He has memories of painting and redecorating rooms in his house. He found more inspiration by devouring all-things pop culture.

“I was obsessed with music videos and TV shows. It was more from the perspective of ‘how did they do that’? How did they do a shot like that?”

From those formative years, a passion was born. However, he didn’t know anyone in those fields growing up. It seemed insurmountable to work in that industry in any capacity. A brief stint at WORX Branding (owned by his uncle Joe Gugliotti ’74) provided him with the direction that he needed. He worked as a production assistant when he was fourteen. His uncle’s team taught him the intricacies and nuances of marketing and branding that go into what the public sees. He pursued a degree in marketing at the University of Rhode Island. Soon thereafter, he attended Rhode Island School of Design and studied Commercial Design and Interior Architecture. However, he took his professor's advice to leave when he had two semesters left and gain work experience. 

Then, he was off to New York City.

Initially, he worked at the SWATCH Group USA as a store manager and later in an entry level position in the marketing department. That position and the department were quickly eliminated. That was followed by a few years with Gemelli Design, LLC and United Cabinets & DONE Construction in the roles of interior designer, creative director and event producer.  

EJ still found himself, however, with a NYC-level rent and decisions of what he wanted to do with his degree. While unemployed, he took a job as a waiter at Planet Hollywood but soon realized that he couldn’t pursue his passions if he stayed there due to the long hours and low pay.

He pivoted and made a name for himself in the NYC nightlife as a full time promoter and bartender. He used this as a time to network with as many people as possible. His work with Joonbug as a promoter of New Year’s Eve parties and other special events remains a standout during that time period. He went from being a promoter to a producer. He and his friends were hosting events for larger promoters, but he wanted to create his own events and pop-ups.

One chance encounter led to EJ signing his first official client: celebrity DJ/producer/TV host Zeke Thomas. “He and I really clicked. It is so important to have that so that you have longevity. I helped him to get booked. This led to years of managing him and then, clients just kept calling." 

It was this initial partnership that led to the beginning of crowdMGMT, established in 2010.  From the onset, it was a firm “that balances professional organization and innovative creativity in order to optimize our collaborative culture as a judgment-free zone for creative excellence. We focus on strategic exposures and activations for our clients, with added attention to detail in daily operations and brand MGMT.”

E.J. and his fiance, Jonathan Gonzalez with Sister Pat Jamele, CND

The firm specializes in Elite Talent & Brand Management, Talent & Brand Development, New Media & TV Production, Creative Marketing Strategy, Product Development and Live Show & Event Production. It is a company that stresses a strong work ethic and authentic relationships in a judgement-free zone. Clients include: VOGUE, Ciara, Russell Wilson, The Kardashians, E!, ABC, vH1, MTV, MonaMi Ent., Missy Elliott and more.

A roster of LGBTAIQ and POC distinguish crowdMGMT from the rest. This is something that came about organically due to EJ’s passion for the underdog. “I wasn’t out as a queer man until college. Consequently, I had a lot of underdog energy from being picked on as a kid. I found myself gravitating to people that are either underrepresented or misrepresented. I want to direct people to a safe place with opportunities.”

EJ is particularly excited about the new clients that crowdMGMT is announcing through the beginning of 2024. This includes: Folákẹ́ Olówófôyekù, Ty Doran, Tory Belleci, Kari Byron, Nikki Chu, Buffie Purselle, Monarch Hill Productions, Dr. Nii Quarterly Quartey, and Samantha “Just Sam” Diaz. 

“I share the same passion for interior design as Nikki Chu, a celebrity designer. We are also proud to manage Samantha Diaz, the first openly queer winner of American Idol…and we are in the beginning of the relationship and strategy phase for Folákẹ́ Olówófôyekù, an incredible human being. She has a great story from how she went from living with twenty siblings in Nigeria to becoming a TV superstar.”

Throughout this constant whirl wind of activity, EJ credits his spiritual inspiration for keeping him grounded. “I grew up in the Catholic Church; however, I developed resentment towards Catholicism. Through therapy and self-discovery with other relationships in my life, I realized that it was always God’s plan for me to be queer. I pray every day. Despite the journey it takes to go through the process as an out queer man to feel close to God, Holy Cross High School was one of the best experiences of my life. I still, to this day, have very close friends from there.”