Project I Am

Still reflecting on an incredible experience at the Obama Foundation’s My Brother’s Keeper Family Reunion. 🙏🏾

Honored to sit on a panel alongside 3 amazing young Black men as we talked about leadership, loss, legacy, and what it meant to first meet President Obama. Conversations like these remind me how important representation and community truly are.

Being at the Obama Presidential Center surrounded by changemakers, educators, activists, and leaders from across Chicago and beyond was inspiring. So much wisdom, purpose, and passion all in one space.

MBK has impacted over 500,000 young men of color over the past decade, and I’m grateful that Project I Am has been able to grow alongside that mission over the years.
The future is bright. 🖤✨

I just wrapped up my Social Entrepreneurship class at Heritage Elementary… and wow 🔥

This wasn’t just about learning business, this was about learning how to make a REAL impact.

120 students showed up with ideas, worked as teams, built projects, and stepped into leadership.

📊 The results:
• 94% said the program was FUN
• 90% are proud of what they created
• 81% feel more confident sharing ideas
• 82% said they loved the experience

But the best part? Hearing things like:

“I learned how to create a business and help others at the same time.”

“This showed me I can actually make a difference.”

That’s what it’s all about.

Proud of every student who leaned in, spoke up & took action 💯

🎥 Tap in to the recap video + photos 👇🏾
https://youtube.com/shorts/oovhCJXJ-yY?si=zyaRpE58RXjIa6WX

If you want to bring this experience to your school → visit weareprojectiam.com

For the past 10 years, Project I Am has been committed to serving communities and empowering youth to lead with purpose.

What started as a small act of service has grown into a movement impacting thousands across the country and beyond.

This video captures just a glimpse of that journey and the power of young people creating change.

Thank you to everyone who has supported, volunteered, and believed in the mission.

Watch the full NBC Chicago video and be part of what’s next.

Jahkil Jackson NBC Interview | 10 Years of Youth Leadership, Community Service & Project I Am Impact What started as a 5-year-old feeding the homeless turned into a global movement. Now, Jahkil Jackson reflects on 10 years of impact on NBC.In this powerful N...

Still taking in what it meant to celebrate 10 years of Project I Am this past weekend.

From the reception to the skating celebration, it was powerful to see so many people in one space, community, supporters, young leaders, and families, all coming together around a shared mission.

What started at 8 years old as a simple act of service has grown into something bigger than I ever imagined. And being able to pause and celebrate that journey with the people who have been part of it…that meant everything.

The energy in the room, the conversations, the connections, it was a reminder that this work is not just about impact, it’s about people.

And this is only the beginning.

Excited for what’s ahead.
https://youtu.be/tESsc55nNzc?si=OlnGGpidXPZNpDmr



Thank you Neverae McLeod Cher Inmyownlane Chris Crater Alyssia's Dream - NFP Narada El Sol Veronica Harrison

📸PRESSCapture LLC

10 Years of Impact: Project I Am Anniversary Recap | Youth Changing the World For the past 10 years, Project I Am has been on a mission to serve communities, uplift youth voices, and create real change around the world.What started wit...

Sat down with Samantha Chatman this morning to discuss books, blessing bags and 10 years of serving.
Thank you for having me ABC7
Thank you Veronica Harrison for a great awareness week

Project I Am celebrates 10 years of distributing 'blessing bags' to unhoused Jahkil Jackson, the founder of Project I Am, joined ABC7 to talk about this milestone anniversary and how you can get involved.

Today I had the opportunity to sit down with Tia Ewing Gabriella Premus at Fox 32 Chicago to talk about my journey, from growing up service-minded to pursuing my dreams on and off the court.

What started with a simple moment when I was five years old helping feed the homeless sparked something in me that eventually led to the creation of Project I Am. Since then, that passion for service has grown into a mission to empower young people to lead and create change in their communities.

During the interview, I shared more about my journey as a student-athlete, author, and social entrepreneur, including my ultimate goal of playing basketball at the highest level, the importance of mental health (a focus of my third book Built Different), and what’s next for me and for Project I Am.

I’m grateful for opportunities like this to share my story and hopefully inspire young people to use their voice, chase their dreams, and make an impact.

🫶🏾Veronica

Check out the interview to hear more about the journey and what’s ahead.

This Chicago teen has spent 10 years building a movement to help the homeless | ChicagoNOW He started at just 8 years old, and now he is a global inspiration! 18-year-old Chicago native Jahkil Jackson joins us in the studio to celebrate the 10-year anniversary of his nonprofit organization, Project I AM, and the incredible impact of his "Blessing Bags."

We are celebrating 10 years of service next week. Gotta say thank you to all of the supporters, prayer worriors and volunteers we have had over the years, but the biggest shout out to Neverae McLeod for your tireless dedication to the organization. You and your family have been such a blessing to us! 🫶🏾

✨ SAVE THE DATE ✨
Project I Am is turning 10!
📅 March 20–21, 2026

We’re so excited to celebrate a decade of youth-led impact, service, and change. What started in Chicago has grown into something bigger than we ever imagined and we’re just getting started.

Mark your calendars. More details coming soon. 💙

2025 was a year of impact, leadership, and service 💙

We’re excited to share the Project I Am 2025 Impact Report, highlighting what’s possible when young people are trusted to lead.

✨ 2025 Impact Highlights:
• 50,000+ people impacted worldwide
• 1,300+ volunteers mobilized
• 5th Annual International Giving Tuesday Packing Party, our largest yet
• Recipient of the NBC Community Impact Grant

This visual snapshot offers a glimpse into the year, while the full report tells the complete story.

👉🏾 View the report here: https://indd.adobe.com/view/6ce5ed0d-7edf-44f3-a6ab-c7a443cfc802

This MLK Day of Service was a powerful reminder of what service and community truly mean.

In partnership with Organic Oneness, Project I Am packed 500 Blessing Bags for individuals experiencing homelessness throughout Chicago, including distribution to Imagine Englewood IF and Primo Center for Women & Children.

What made this day especially meaningful was the location, the packing event took place at my elementary school, Ray Elementary, where my journey of service first began. Returning to that space to give back alongside youth and community members highlighted the importance of roots, legacy, and showing up for others.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. taught us that service is a pathway to greatness. This day reflected that truth in action.

Thank you to everyone who volunteered, partnered, and supported this effort. Together, we continue to make a difference. Thank you to the visionary Syda Segovia Taylor

MLK Day of Service in Chicago | Youth Pack 500 Blessing Bags for Those in Need This MLK Day of Service, Project I Am partnered with Organic Oneness to pack 500 Blessing Bags for individuals experiencing homelessness across Chicago.The s...