Jahkil Naeem Jackson is a best-selling author, social entrepreneur, and founder of Project I Am, a nonprofit organization he created when he was eight years old. Now 13, Jahkil has a heartfelt desire to help those in need. Jahkil’s mission is to build awareness of homelessness and to help the homeless population by offering “Blessing Bags,” a giveaway filled with masks, wipes, socks, deodorant, hand sanitizer, and more. In just a few years, Jahkil’s efforts have touched nearly 50,000 men, women, and children internationally.

Jahkil has been named a Youth Ambassador for Heartland Alliance, the WE International Youth Council, a member of Independent Youth, and has been listed as one of BET’s 15 under 15. Most notably, Jahkil was acknowledged as one of the three most influential people of 2017 by Barack Obama. Jahkil was also tapped to participate in multiple campaigns with Disney (Be Inspired), Cartoon Network (Drawn To Helping Others), Lebron James (Always Believe), as well as Nike’s Until We All Win and You Can’t Stop our Voice. Additionally, he was named a CNN Hero Young Wonder and a Marvel Hero!

Even with his many accomplishments, Jahkil has experienced bullying first-hand. As a youth advocate and mentor, he decided to write “I Am” to encourage children to stay positive, encouraged, and never doubt themselves or their abilities. He hopes that this book will inspire kids to be great no matter what comes their way.