Meet Jahkil Jackson

We were lucky to catch up with Jahkil Jackson recently and have shared our conversation below.

Jahkil, so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?

I never thought that I would be sitting and living in my purpose at such a young age. Luckily my parents exposed me to a lot of things early on with the hopes of me understanding that I have options in life. I stumbled upon my purpose which grew and evolved over the years when I was just 5 years old. After an experience with interacting with some unhoused people on the cold winter Chicago streets, I knew immediately that I wanted to help them and anyone like them. My family helped me explore realistic goals for my young age. Once I really got going, it felt amazing to make a difference which later grew into not only impacting those in need but also engaging other youth on the importance of service.

Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?

As the founder of Project I Am, I lead a youth-driven organization dedicated to raising awareness about homelessness and providing support to those in need. What makes this work so special is the ability to empower young people to become changemakers while making a tangible impact on communities worldwide. Through the distribution of Blessing Bags, filled with essential hygiene and comfort items, we have reached over 200,000 people across multiple cities and countries.

What excites me most is seeing other youth realize their power to create change. My journey started when I was just 8 years old, and since then, I’ve recruited over 3,000 youth volunteers who are now leading their own efforts to serve others. Project I Am is not just about providing immediate relief; it’s about inspiring the next generation to take action and use their voices for good.

Beyond Project I Am, I am an avid basketball player with aspirations of playing Division 1 basketball and have even set a goal of owning an NBA team since I was just 5 years old! I also use storytelling as a powerful tool for impact, whether through my books, speaking engagements, or digital media projects. My brand represents leadership, service, and empowerment, and I share the message “Don’t Wait to Be Great” to young people everywhere as they have the power to create change starting today.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

Looking back, three qualities that have been most impactful in my journey are resilience, leadership, and storytelling. Resilience has been crucial in my journey, especially as I’ve navigated the challenges of balancing school, athletics, and running a nonprofit. Perseverance has become my foundation, helping me stay committed to my mission despite obstacles. One of the biggest misconceptions among young people is that popularity equates to financial gain. Unfortunately, I’ve experienced the downside of this firsthand, facing misguided emotions about my success and constantly searching for authentic friendships. These experiences taught me to push through setbacks, stay true to my purpose, and use challenges as fuel for growth. Leadership by building and leading Project I Am has helped me develop strong leadership skills, from organizing large-scale initiatives to inspiring and empowering other young people to take action in their communities. Leading with purpose has allowed me to make a lasting impact. Storytelling has been a powerful force in my journey, allowing me to spread awareness about homelessness and inspire action. Whether through public speaking, writing books, or creating digital content, I’ve used storytelling to connect with people worldwide and encourage meaningful change. Effectively sharing my message has not only helped me raise support for my mission but also empowered others to get involved and make a difference in their own communities.

These three qualities have shaped my journey, allowing me to make an impact while continuing to grow as a changemaker.

One of our goals is to help like-minded folks with similar goals connect and so before we go we want to ask if you are looking to partner or collab with others – and if so, what would make the ideal collaborator or partner?

I am always looking for partners to help expand the organization. I will be going to college soon and I want to ensure that the organization is able to run seemlessly while I navigate college. We are seeking partnerships with schools, foundations and corporations. To connect, we can be reached at info@officialprojectiam and weareprojectiam.com. I am also active on social media: Facebook, Instagram and X @weareprojectiam as well as LinkedIn @jahkiljackson

Contact Info:

• Website: weareprojectiam.com / jahkil.com
• Instagram: @weareprojectiam / @jahkiljackson
• Facebook: @weareprojectiam
• Linkedin: @jahkiljackson
• Twitter: @weareprojectiam

Image Credits

Charan Ingram