Uncrowned Community Builders

Jamillah was born on March 17, 1971 in Buffalo, New York to Bessie Lee (Paul) Thomas and Jamel Abdul Raheem. Jamillah attended McKinley High School where she studied plumbing and later graduated from Buffalo Evening School with her high school diploma.

Jamillah Xemara Green is the first African American female licensed Master Plumber in New York State and the President and CEO of United Mechanical Contracting, Inc. Ms. Green is far from a novice with 16 years in the field of plumbing. She gives credit to her step-father, Paul Thomas, for introducing her to the field of plumbing at the ripe young age of 11, which ignited the passion to build within her.

Jamillahââ?¬â?¢s first step was to find a company that would give a female the opportunity to work and learn the plumbing craft, since plumbing is a male dominated profession. When she inquired about a job, most of the contractors thought she was calling for her husband or boyfriend. Some of them laughed and tried to discourage her efforts, but she kept trying. Her persistence to work in the plumbing field soon paid off.

Ms. Greenââ?¬â?¢s first year of professional experience began with Woody Nelson and Jack Johnson (now deceased). After working with Mr. Nelson, Jamillah joined Local 22, the Plumbers, Steamfitters and Pipefitters Union (formally known as Local 36, the Plumbers Union) and was enrolled in their 5-year apprenticeship program. She endured countless humiliating experiences, discrimination and an ample amount of mental and emotional abuse. Jamillah fought back and persevered to become the first African American female to successfully complete the National Apprenticeship program in the Unionââ?¬â?¢s 110-year history in the City of Buffalo, New York.

Ms. Green continued to make history by later passing her Journeyman and Master Plumber exams. After being isolated in the union for three years and losing everything she owned (including her house and cars), Jamillahââ?¬â?¢s life changing experience came when she decided to take the Master Plumber License exam, which ignited a desire within to start her own plumbing and heating company. Believing this to be the Will of God for her life, she now reaches for others ââ?¬Å?ââ?¬¦to give them access and an open door into the construction fieldââ?¬, an area which has been closed historically and difficult for minorities to enter.