Born in Brooklyn, New York, Jamal grew up in a West Indian single-parent home. After attending Prep for Prep (prestigious academic preparatory program), Jamal entered The Dalton School, which he attended in middle school through high school.

Later, Jamal attended Yale Univerity, where he double majored in Film Studies & American Studies. After working professionally for several years, Jamal returned to academia, attending New York University's Tisch School of the Arts as a graduate film student, where he graduated with an MFA in January of 2012.

His award-winning films and video work have screened internationally, been televised, and have been highly publicized through national campaigns. His short NYU thesis film --Reform-- was most notably the recipient of a Hollywood Foreign Press Association grant, and has recently been making sparks at exclusive private screenings and top level festivals.