Wilmington, Delaware native Jamila Mustafa, actress, journalist, and currently a BET Host and Contributor, recently reminded hip-hop legend Busta Rhymes that when you say you’ve shouted out “every city,” you’d better make sure Wilmington is on the list.
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During their conversation, Busta reflected on his track “Let’s Rise”, where he claimed to shout out “every city I could think of.” The song name-drops major hubs like New York, Atlanta, Chicago, and Miami, but one city was missing. With pride and humor, Jamila quickly checked him:
“Except Wilmington, Delaware.”
The moment sparked laughter but also carried weight for Delawareans who know how rare it is for their city to get recognition on the national stage. Jamila’s witty callout was another reminder that Wilmington, and Delaware at large, is producing cultural leaders who refuse to let their hometowns go unnoticed.
About Jamila Mustafa
Jamila Mustafa is one of the most prominent voices shaping the millennial generation as an award-winning broadcast journalist, actress, and host.
A proud Wilmington native, she graduated from Delaware State University in 2015 with a bachelor’s degree in Marketing, earning Dean’s List honors. In her senior year, she was crowned Miss Delaware State University, a role that foreshadowed her emergence as a leader and voice for her peers.
Her hosting career spans some of the biggest names in media. Mustafa has fronted shows for:
- iHeart Radio (Fresh Pick Mondays, Live Sessions, Fan Vs. Artist Trivia)
- ESPN (EBC at Rucker Park)
- BET Networks (Sound Bite, Pull Up, BET Breaks, The Break Down, Inside The Lyric, Set Trippin)
- MTV Networks (TRL, Sound Up)
Currently, she is a BET Host and Contributor, as well as the host of MTV’s Fresh Out Live and Jamila’s JAMS on SiriusXM Volume. She also hosted the pre-shows for the MTV VMAs and EMAs in 2020 and 2021, made a special appearance as a commentator for the 2020 BET Soul Train Awards, and was highlighted by Forbes as a “Mastermind.”
Her accolades extend beyond entertainment. She has received four Wilmington City Council resolutions and was named one of the Most Influential People of African Descent Under 40 by the United Nations. In 2017, she founded HBCU 2 Hollywood, a speaking tour dedicated to advancing education, health, and purpose across campuses nationwide. In 2021, she made history as Bennett College’s youngest commencement speaker and received a personal letter of recognition from President Joe Biden Jr. for her leadership.
Jamila has often spoken about her early inspiration, including a memorable encounter with Oprah Winfrey in 2012 after Winfrey delivered the commencement address at Spelman College.
Through all her achievements, Jamila carries the spirit of Delaware with her and lives by her motto:
“Aim to be significant, not famous.”
