I AM BLACK HISTORY | Jahkil Jackson

Jahkil Jackson

Jahkil Jackson is Black History because he proves that leadership has no age requirement and compassion can spark a global movement.

At just 8 years old, Jahkil founded Project I AM with a simple but powerful goal: to raise awareness about homelessness and treat people with dignity. What began as assembling and distributing Blessing Bags filled with everyday essentials quickly grew into an international youth led movement rooted in service, empathy, and action.

Now 18, Jahkil is a youth philanthropist, social entrepreneur, three time best selling author, award winning speaker, and student athlete. Under his leadership, Project I AM has raised nearly one million dollars and impacted more than 300,000 people worldwide. Blessing Bags have been distributed across major U.S. cities including Chicago, Los Angeles, Atlanta, and Washington D.C., as well as internationally in Ghana, Swaziland, India, London, Puerto Rico, the Bahamas, and other disaster impacted regions.

Jahkil’s work has mobilized more than 3,000 young changemakers across over 80 cities and multiple countries, proving that youth leadership is not symbolic. It is transformative. Through Project I AM, young people are taught that service is power and that community care can be organized, scalable, and sustainable.

His impact has earned national and global recognition. Jahkil has been honored by President Barack Obama as one of the world’s most influential young changemakers and recognized as a CNN Hero Young Wonder, Marvel Hero, and American Red Cross Youth Hero. His story has been featured by Forbes, The New York Times, Essence, BET, and numerous global media outlets.

Beyond philanthropy, Jahkil is a dynamic voice for his generation. As a TEDx speaker and motivational leader, he has spoken at more than 75 schools, conferences, and organizations, inspiring tens of thousands of young people to find purpose, take action, and lead with confidence. His Don’t Wait To Be Great social entrepreneurship workshop series empowers youth to merge service with leadership and real world impact.

Jahkil is also a dedicated student athlete, bringing the same discipline, creativity, and resilience from the basketball court into his community work. Whether competing at Spire Academy or standing before thousands of students, he leads with focus and humility.

Jahkil Jackson is Black History because he reminds us that change does not start someday.

It starts when someone decides to care deeply and act boldly. His legacy is being written in real time through lives touched, youth empowered, and communities served.

Black History lives in action. And Jahkil Jackson is living proof.