Powell's MU basketball accomplishments included a four-year basketball player stint, serving as captain his senior year, and named all conference player, All-Eastern Collegiate Athletic Conferece (ECAC) player and Ainsworth Award for MVP (1971-1972). Powell was a scholar-athlete, who was named to the Dean's List several times during 1970-1972.

Powell is deeply involved in many community and professional organizations. As a successful African-American businessman, he serves as a willing and accessible role model for the community. Powell also serves as head coach of Lancaster's McCaskey High School boys' basketball team. His civic and community affiliations have included St. Joseph Hospital board of directors, Penn State-Harrisburg board of advisers, Lancaster Chamber of Commerce and Lancaster Sertoma Club, to name a few.

Powell's list of accomplishments are numerous and have included the Business Leadership Award/Minority Owned Business of the Year; the Inspiration Award from the African-American Ethnic Sports Hall of Famel Millersville University's Alumni Association Distinguished Service Award; Chester High School's Athletic Hall of Fame and he has been recognized by several entities including the Lancaster Coalition for Business Development; the Central Penn Business Journal and the National Urban League.

Powell is President and CEO of Powell Steel Corporation in Lancaster, where he also resides. Powell also owns and operates The Bird's Nest (a title that comes from a moniker of Powell during his basketball playing days), a popular nightclub/restaurant in downtown Lancaster.