In Memory of Jami Rachelle Freeman

A native of Salisbury, MD, Ms. Freeman attended Delmar Elementary and Wicomico Middle School. She earned her high school diploma from Salisbury Christian School. Soon after, she was offered a full scholarship to attend Morgan State University and study music, but she chose a different route. Some years later, she enrolled at Walden University. There, Ms. Freeman graduated in 2019, earning her Master’s Degree in Psychology with a focus on Social Change and Public Administration. She was in the process of doing her Doctorate when she was diagnosed with stage IV cancer, but she didn’t let that stop her. She continued taking classes for as long as she could before pausing her studies.

With her spirit of determination, Jami kept working as a recovery coach and trainer at the Psychiatric Institute of Washington (PIW) in Washington, D.C. In addition, Ms. Freeman also worked as a Culturally Responsive Speaker and an Entrepreneur who started several businesses. Among them were FreeMore, Expressive Soul, and her non-profit, OmniRise.

Jami was a shining beacon of Love, empathy, generosity, and hard work. She was constantly thinking of ways to help others and improve the world around her. This was evident from her work with The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) to her community work via her non-profit organization, OmniRise.

In addition to all these hats, Ms. Freeman also worked as a Student Life Advisor for Monument Academy Public Charter School in Washington, D.C.

Jami enjoyed good food, great laughs, and spending time with close family and friends. She loved expressing her creative side through dancing, modeling, making music, doing make-up, photography, videography, and painting. It was through her business, Expressive Soul that she unleashed her creative spirit. While this was an excellent outlet for creativity, Jami’s passion was helping others through knowledge and education.

Her work in the field recovery led her down a path of teaching, much like her grandmother Doris, before her. Jami saw a future where people could uplift and heal one another if they just chose to. She would always say: “Love heals all. So, love NOW. Don’t wait until someone is gone or something happens. Love NOW.” This was at the heart of her work with Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs).

The CDC and Kaiser Permanente conducted the original ACE study, which focused on how traumatic childhood events may negatively affect adult health. The study found a direct link between childhood trauma and the onset of chronic disease, incarceration, and employment changes in childhood.

Spreading this knowledge was Jami’s passion because she was a living example of how people could overcome their ACEs. Having lost her mother at just three years old, Jami was all too familiar with the pain and trauma.

Jami is survived by her brother/cousin, Omar B. JONES, III “Jay,” her nieces, Omari Jones and Kristyana Aaron, Lynn Miles, and her nephew, James Edwards McLaurin, III “Jimmy.”

Ms. Freeman was preceded in death by her mother, Cindy Lou Walker, her grandmother, Doris D Kane, her “Mum Mum,” Lorraine June Walker, and her grandfather, James F. Freeman, SR.

Rest well and rest in peace for a job well done.

With Love and gratitude,
The JPR Advisory Board