Due to overwhelming demand for guidance, Jahkil Jackson created the Don’t Wait to Be Great Social Entrepreneurship Workshop Series—a program that blends community service and entrepreneurship to educate and empower youth. Through a combination of classroom instruction and hands-on activities, the program focuses on philanthropy, financial literacy, leadership, and business development, equipping young people with the confidence and skills to launch their own service initiatives.
A national needs assessment revealed that 90% of youth want to help their communities, yet 80% lack confidence in executing a successful service project. Additionally, limited access to financial education often leads to poor financial habits in adulthood. Research also shows that participation in youth sports builds character, leadership, and teamwork—benefiting individuals, families, and communities.
In 2024 and 2025, 60 students per school year at Heritage Elementary School participated in the workshop series, developing service-oriented business ideas addressing issues such as poverty, food insecurity, access to scholarships and resources for high school students, pollution, animal protection, and environmental sustainability. In 2026, the program doubled its reach, engaging 120 students and significantly expanding its impact within the school community.
Through the support of the Obama Foundation’s My Brother’s Keeper initiative, Project I Am also joined the 2023 Freedom Summer program, implementing a safe summer initiative for 20 youth of color on Chicago’s South and West Sides. The Don’t Wait to Be Great 2.0 program took a holistic approach by combining entrepreneurship, community service, and sports—helping young athletes prepare for middle and high school athletics while building leadership and teamwork skills.
As a student-athlete and social entrepreneur, Jahkil works alongside professionals to teach youth how to balance athletics, academics, and social life. This near-peer mentorship model has proven to be highly effective, offering a blueprint for developing well-rounded, socially responsible young leaders.