Project I Am Nfp

Youth are too often labeled lazy, reckless, or uninspired. We’re silenced, overlooked, and underestimated. As a young Black man from Chicago, I’ve seen those stereotypes up close and I’ve worked every day to prove them wrong. That’s why I always remind young people: Don’t Wait to Be Great.

If someone had told me that by 17, I’d be a 3-time best-selling author, motivational speaker, teacher, social entrepreneur, student-athlete, and homeless advocate or that I’d be honored by President Barack Obama as one of the world’s most influential people, I wouldn’t have believed it. But here I am, reaching goals I once set for adulthood, before even graduating high school. And it all started with one simple act of kindness.

At 5 years old, after helping my aunt distribute food to unhoused people in Chicago, I felt the urge to do more. By 8, I launched Project I Am to raise awareness and provide direct support. Our signature Blessing Bags are packed with daily essentials (socks, soap, hand sanitizer, washcloth, toothpaste, tissue etc) have now reached more than 250,000 people worldwide. With the help of 2,000+ youth volunteers, we’ve distributed bags in over 60 cities across the U.S. and internationally in places like Swaziland, Ghana, Guatemala, and France.

In total, we’ve raised over $650,000 to support those in need.

During COVID-19 quarantine, Project I Am expanded with a national initiative, virtual packing parties.  In 2024, over 1,000 youth from over 50 cities joined me on a zoom call to create 20,000 blessing bags for those in need in their cities.  To date, over 2,000 youth have packed and distributed over 60,000 blessing bags. I plan to continue to join forces with like minded youth to lead a life of service.  Through our latest initiative, Project I Am Next Up, we’re empowering youth leaders to host service projects in their own communities — already reaching states across the U.S. (Missouri, Florida and New York) and abroad (Spain, Canada and France).  For Give 8/28, we’re aiming even higher: 1,000 youth engaged and 25,000 more blessing bags distributed. 

There are over 550,000 unhoused individuals in America, and too many go unseen. Whether on the streets or couch-surfing, they deserve dignity, support, and community — and that’s what we’re building. While not all homeless people are sleeping outside, about 20% of them search for dry spaces to lay their heads on the street and the other 80% are drifters living from couch to couch with family members and friends.

NOTE: Jahkil’s impact has been recognized by major national platforms and leaders. He has been named a Marvel Super Hero, a CNN Hero Young Wonder, and a Red Cross Youth Hero, in addition to being honored by President Obama, partnering with Nike, Gatorade and Footlocker as well as being featured by Disney, Forbes, Steve Harvey, Jennifer Hudson, BET, and more.

This movement is youth-led, heart-driven, and growing fast.

Will you support our mission? Help us show the world what young people are capable of. Join the movement. Donate today.