Jahkil Jackson – Youth – Cook County
Jahkil Naeem Jackson is a 2-time best-selling author, social entrepreneur, student-athlete, influencer, and founder of Project I Am, a nonprofit organization he created when he was eight years old to build awareness of homelessness. Now 15, Jahkil has already earned a reputation for himself as one of the world’s most influential changemakers by President Barack Obama. Jahkil has made it his mission to assist those in need who are residing on the street and in shelters while engaging other youth to become change agents.
Summer of 2016, he was named a Youth Ambassador for Heartland Alliance, one of the world’s leading anti-poverty organizations, working in communities in the U.S. and abroad to serve those who are homeless, living in poverty, or seeking safety. In Winter 2017, Jahkil became a member of the WE International Youth Council, a movement that exists to make the world a better place. WE Day is also a celebration of youth making a difference in their local and global communities. Jahkil was a guest speaker in 2017 and 2018. Fall of 2018, Jahkil became the youngest member of the Independent Youth group which empowers today’s youth to become tomorrow’s business leaders and entrepreneurial innovators. Jahkil was named Vice Chairman of the 2019 KidBox Youth Board of Directors, the 2020 Chairman of the Dreams for Kids Youth Executive Board and named one of BET’s 15 under 15.
Additionally, Jahkil was also tapped to participate in Disney’s Be Inspired Black History Campaign, Lebron James’ #AlwaysBelieve 2018 campaign, Nike’s Until We All Win & You Can’t Stop Our Voice campaigns and is now a Marvel Superhero and CNN Hero Young Wonder.  His philanthropy has also led to partnerships with the NBA, Steve & Marjorie Harvey Foundation, Invisalign, Crate & Barrel, and The Gap.
