Jahkil Jackson is a 3-time best-selling author, youth philanthropist, social entrepreneur, student-athlete, and the founder of Project I Am, the nonprofit he launched at just 8 years old to raise awareness about homelessness. What began with his vision to assemble and distribute “Blessing Bags” filled with essentials has since grown into a global movement of more than 3,000 youth changemakers.
Now 18, Jahkil has been recognized by President Barack Obama as one of the world’s most influential changemakers and honored as a CNN Hero Young Wonder, Marvel Hero, and Red Cross Youth Hero. His story has been featured by the New York Times, Forbes, Essence, BET, and other major media outlets worldwide.
Under Jahkil’s leadership, Project I Am has raised nearly $1 million and impacted over 300,000 people globally, distributing Blessing Bags across U.S. cities including Chicago, Los Angeles, and Atlanta, and internationally in Ghana, Swaziland, India, London, and disaster-stricken areas such as Puerto Rico, the Bahamas, and Guatemala. The organization has also expanded with youth-led branches in France, Spain, and Toronto.
Jahkil has collaborated with top brands including Nike, the NBA, and the Obama Foundation. As part of Crate & Kids’ Youth Activist initiative, he successfully pitched a custom pillow line with Crate & Barrel — channeling proceeds back into his mission.
From the court to the community, Jahkil continues to lead with heart, proving that young people are not just the leaders of tomorrow — they are the changemakers of today.
