Uncrowned Community Builders

James K. Morrell was born and raised in the city of Buffalo. He is married to Fatima and has four children, James Jr. and Delorian, Khalil and Zahara. He graduated from UB's School of Architecture and Planning where he received a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree in Design in 1986 and a Masters of Urban Planning (MUP) degree in 1988.

James is currently the Manager of Planning with the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority (NFTA). His primary responsibilities include planning and implementation of Metro Bus Service in Erie and Niagara County. He is also responsible for providing Metro Bus Service for the Buffalo Board of Education and the development of Welfare to Work Transportation Programs.

He volunteers his time on a number of boards including the Planning Board for the City of Buffalo. As Planning Board Chairman, James is responsible for evaluating and approving proposed developments within the City of Buffalo. James is a current board member of Homefront, Inc., a housing community development agency working to promote healthy neighborhoods in Buffalo and Erie County. James is also a Technical Advisory Board Member with the Educational Opportunity Center (E.O.C).

Other board positions include Past Chairman of the Taste of Buffalo. As the Chairman of the 2005 Taste of Buffalo, James was responsible for the overall planning, operation and implementation of the event and continues as a board member today. James is also Past Board President of the Buffalo Federation of Neighborhood Centers (BFNC) where he was involved with helping prepare, equip and empower individuals to address life management issues.

James is a past Adjunct Assistant Professor within the School of Architecture & Planning at the University at Buffalo. He taught courses in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Planning

He and his family reside in the City of Buffalo and attend St. Martin DePorres R.C. Church where James volunteers his time as the Boy Scout Leader of Troop 139. He has been involved with scouting in the City of Buffalo for over 25 years. James also is a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.

In 1998 James received the Business First Magazine "40 Under Forty" Award and is a member of the Leadership Buffalo Class of 1998.

Biography written for Afro American Historical Society of the Niagara Frontier, Inc.
3rd Place Grades 7-9
De-jon T. Brice
Grade 8, Frank A. Sedita Academy

An African-American King in Western New York who deserves to be recognized is Mr. James Keefe Morrell. James was born and raised in the city of Buffalo. He was raised by his late mother, Ms. Yvonne L. Morrell (whom was named Uncrowned Queen in 2007) along with his five sisters, Stephanie, Jacqueline, Carolyn, Angela, and Shareen. Being raised in a home full of women he learned to be respectful, loving and due to his mother's passion for education, learned that education is the key to success.

James graduated from the University at Buffalo where he received a Bachelor of Arts (B A) degree in Design and a Masters of Urban Planning (MUP) degree. James is currently the Superintendent of Route Planning with the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority (NFTA). His responsibilities include planning Metro Bus Routes in Erie and Niagara County. He is also responsible for providing Metro Bus Service for the Buffalo Board of Education and the development of Transportation programs for Welfare to Work (TANF) clients.

James is married to Fatima Morrell. He is the father of four children, James Jr, Delorian, Khalil and Zhara and grandfather to Anya. He is also a surrogate father to my entire family and me. After the untimely death of Yvonne, he stepped in as leader of the family.

In our family James is lovingly called Uncle Keefe. He is the one to call for any and everything. He shows by example that an education, strong faith and community involvement positively affects your life and those around you. Uncle Keefe volunteers his time on a number of committees and broads throughout the city of Buffalo. In 2005 he was the Chairman of the Taste of Buffalo, responsible for the overall planning, operation and implementation of the 2005 Taste of Buffalo. Uncle Keefe has been a volunteer with the Taste of Buffalo for over 12 years. I along with several of my older cousins and both my uncles have volunteered at the Taste of Buffalo.

His commitment to his community is never-ending. In 2007 he became a first time T-ball Coach for National Inner Cities Youth Opportunity Organization (N.I.C.Y.O.). His team the Homestead Grays represented past Negro National League players. With no previous coaching experience, he gathered information and passed it on to his parent-volunteers and players. With support, encouragement, and patience the team won its series his first time coaching. Uncle Keefe also holds other board positions on the City of Buffalo Planning Board. As a Planning Board member, he is responsible for evaluating proposed developments within the City of Buffalo under the citywide Site Plan Review process.

Uncle Keefe maintains his faith attending St. Martin DePorres R.C. Church where he is also the Boy Scout Leader of Troop #139. Uncle Keefe is also an Adjunct Assistant Professor within the School of Architecture & Planning at the University at Buffalo, teaching a graduate level course in Geographic Information Systems (GIS). Uncle Keefe is also a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc

Uncle Keefe and the life he leads demonstrate that you do not have to become a product of your environment of give in to the pit falls and obstacles that life throws at you. As a young African-American male it is sometime difficult to find strong, positive, inspiring role-model, that is why I am blessed to have him in my life and it's an honor to share him. All these factors demonstrate his ability to be crowned King.

reprinted with permission from the Afro American Historical Society of the Niagara Frontier, Inc.