Inspiring Conversations with Jahkil Jackson of Project I Am

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jahkil Jackson.

Hi Jahkil, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I’m 18 years old now, but my journey really began when I was 5. My aunt would take me with her to feed people experiencing homelessness in Chicago, and I remember asking why so many people didn’t have a place to call home. Those experiences stayed with me and sparked a desire to do something to help.

When I was 8 years old, I turned that passion into action by founding Project I Am. What started as a simple effort to assemble and distribute Blessing Bags filled with everyday essentials has grown into a global youth-led movement that has impacted more than 250,000 people experiencing homelessness and inspired thousands of young people to lead through service in communities around the world.

As Project I Am continued to grow, so did I. Along the way, I’ve become a three-time best-selling author, speaker, and advocate for youth leadership, using my platform to encourage other young people to realize that age doesn’t determine your ability to make a difference. I’ve also had the opportunity to collaborate with brands like Nike, Crate & Barrel, and The Gap, while being recognized as a CNN Hero and one of President Obama’s Most Influential People.

At the same time, I’ve always wanted to be a normal kid, too. Basketball has been a huge part of my life, and I’m grateful to have balanced being a student-athlete with entrepreneurship, speaking, and community service. After graduating high school a year early, I completed a postgraduate season at Spire Academy and will begin my college basketball journey this fall.

Looking back, I’m thankful for everything that’s happened, but I still feel like I’m just getting started. My goal has never been to collect awards or recognition, it’s to keep creating opportunities for others, use my platform with purpose, and prove that leadership is measured by the impact you have on people, not by your age.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. One of the biggest challenges has been trying to meet the growing need with limited and often inconsistent financial support. As Project I Am has grown, so has the demand for our programs and services. There have been times when we’ve had to make difficult decisions because the resources simply weren’t there to do everything we wanted to do. That can be frustrating when you know there are people who need help, but it’s also taught me resilience, creativity, and the importance of building sustainable partnerships.

On a personal level, growing up in the public eye wasn’t something I ever asked for. People often assume I wanted to be “famous,” but the truth is I just wanted to help people. I still wanted to be a regular kid—to play basketball, hang out with friends, and fit in like everyone else. Instead, there were times when I felt different because of the attention my work received.

That became even more difficult when I experienced bullying from some of my peers. There were moments when I questioned whether what I was doing was worth it because all I really wanted was to belong. Like a lot of young people, I wanted to be accepted, and it hurt when I felt misunderstood or judged for trying to make a positive impact.

Looking back, I realize those experiences strengthened me. I came to understand that if I quit because of other people’s opinions, I wouldn’t just be walking away from my own purpose, I’d also be walking away from the people who depended on Project I Am. That perspective kept me going.

Today, I still believe it’s important to be authentic. I’ve learned that leadership isn’t always easy, and sometimes doing the right thing can feel lonely. But I’ve also learned that staying true to who you are is worth it, because you never know whose life might change simply because you chose not to give up.

We’ve been impressed with Project I Am, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Project I Am is a youth-led social impact non-profit organization I founded when I was 8 years old after being inspired to help people experiencing homelessness. While many people first learned about our Blessing Bags filled with everyday essentials, our mission has grown far beyond meeting immediate needs. Today, we empower young people to become leaders in their communities through service, civic engagement, advocacy, and social entrepreneurship.

What sets Project I Am apart is that we don’t just encourage young people to volunteer, we equip them to lead. Through initiatives like Project I Am Next Up, we’ve helped young people in the United States and internationally turn their ideas into action, proving that age should never be a barrier to creating meaningful change.

What I’m most proud of is that one small act of kindness has grown into a global movement. To date, we’ve raised nearly $1 million to advance our mission, helping more than 250,000 people in need while inspiring thousands of young people to discover the power of service, leadership, and giving back. For me, that’s the greatest measure of success, not awards or recognition, but seeing others realize they have the ability to make a difference in their own communities.

Beyond Project I Am, I continue to expand that mission through speaking engagements, books, media projects, and strategic brand partnerships, all managed through The Naeem Group. Whether I’m speaking to students, collaborating with organizations, competing as a student-athlete, or creating content with purpose, my goal remains the same: to inspire people to use their unique gifts to create positive change. At the end of the day, I don’t want to be known simply for what I’ve accomplished, I want to be known for the opportunities I’ve created for others and the lives we’ve been able to impact together.

So, before we go, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you? How can they support you?
I’m always excited to connect with people and organizations that believe in using their platform to create meaningful impact. Whether it’s through speaking engagements, strategic brand partnerships, community initiatives, media opportunities, or youth leadership programs, I enjoy collaborating with those who share a commitment to making a difference.

For organizations, I love partnering on campaigns that inspire, educate, and serve communities in authentic ways. For schools, conferences, and youth organizations, I speak on leadership, service, entrepreneurship, resilience, and empowering young people to realize their potential. Through Project I Am, there are also opportunities to support our mission by sponsoring programs, volunteering, or partnering on initiatives that directly impact communities and develop the next generation of leaders.

As I continue my journey as a student-athlete, I’m also interested in connecting with programs, brands, and organizations that value character, leadership, and long-term relationships. I believe the best partnerships are built on shared values and a genuine desire to create something meaningful together.

The easiest way to connect with me, explore collaboration opportunities, or learn more about my work is by visiting JAHKIL.COM (https://jahkil.com)

Pricing:

• I Am Book – $12.99
• Don’t Wait To Be Great Book – $12.99
• Built Different – $17.99

Contact Info:

• Website: https://jahkil.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jahkiljackson/ and https://www.instagram.com/weareprojectiam/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WeAreProjectIAM
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jahkil-jackson/
• Twitter: https://x.com/weareprojectiam
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@jahkilnaeem6840
• Other: https://weareprojectiam.com

Image Credits
Charan Ingram (Photo 1, Black & White in tank)
Sara Hameed (Your Only Limit Photo)
Christopher Lockridge (with microphone)
Jahkil with students (both photos done by mother)
Eddie Conation (Photo with ball/book, Built Different Shirt & hanging on rim)