11-year-old youth activist, Jahkil Jackson shares his mission of Blessing Bags to help the homeless across the U.S.

By: Christian L ChaCha M Xavier D

 

11-year-old youth activist, Jahkil Jackson, is one of the youngest social entrepreneurs and is the founder of the nationally recognized nonprofit, Project I Am, an organization built to spread resources and love to the homeless community. He was recently featured on the TODAY Show and Access Hollywood and would love to set up a potential interview with him and your team.

Among his many accolades, Jackson has been honored by President Obama, LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony and others for his mission to help those in need. He is one of the youngest members of the WE International Youth Council.

As part of Project I Am’s initiatives, Jahkil Jackson created Blessing Bags, which include everyday essentials like wipes, socks, deodorant, hand sanitizers, granola bars, toothbrushes, toothpaste , bottled water , and more. To date, Jackson has impacted over 25,000 men, women and children throughout the world since the inception of Project I AM in 2016.

About Jahkil Jackson:

While living the life of an average 11-year-old and working hard distributing his Blessing Bags to those in need, Jackson is also a public speaker. He also designs t-shirts for his line, Trophies , a brand that encourages youth to do their best at whatever they do. Trophies are given to those who spread love to others.

During the Winter of 2017, Jahkil became a member of the WE International Youth Council. WE is 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.

About Project I Am:

Project I Am was created by 8-year-old Jahkil Naeem Jackson. Jahkil, now 11-years-old, has a heartfelt desire to help those in need. After helping his aunt distribute food to Chicago homeless, Jackson knew he wanted to do more to make a difference. It quickly became his mission to help Chicago’s homeless population by offering them, “Blessing Bags,” a giveaway filled with wipes, socks, deodorant, hand sanitizers, granola bars, toothbrushes, toothpaste, bottled water, and more.

In 2016, Jahkil, along with his friends and family, distributed over 1,600 Blessing Bags. He distributed more than 6,000 bags in 2017 and more than 12,500 in 2018. Ultimately, Jahkil hopes to join forces with youth from across the country to give back, encouraging them to give back. During the summer of 2016, he began working with Heartland Alliance, putting together bags to help with their national initiatives.

 

Memorable Prom Night for Maya Leighton

Maya Leighton, former Bata columnist is shown in her prom night peach gown.

Maya with her friends who are attending the Junior Prom Night at Maine South High School in Park Ridge. Her escort is Angel A.

 

Consul General Crowns Reyna Helena in Kankakee City, Illinois

The Filipino communities in Kankakee, Joliet and Chicago in the state of Illinois successfully organized Santacruzan 2019 on May 11, 2019 at the St. John Paul II Catholic Parish in Kankakee City and County, Illinois. The highlight of the program is the crowning of the 2019 Reyna Helena, Ms. Abigail Turija, by Consul General Gina Jamoralin. The Consul General also participated in the introduction of other Santacruzan queens and their escorts that evening by pinning their corsages and handing out flower bouquets. Other VIP guests who assisted in the pinning of corsages where Kankakee City Mayor Chasity Wells –Armstrong and Justice Jesse G. Reyes of the First District Appelate Court of Illinois. Mayor Armstrong also delivered her welcome remarks who lauded the Filipino community for their friendship and openness to different cultures and for their significant contribution to the city of Kankakee.

Consul General Jamoralin was accompanied by Philippine Consulate’s Cultural Officer, Mr. Noly Dulay and the Consul General’s mother, Mrs. E. Jamoralin Consul General Jamoralin thanked the Filipino communities for helping to preserve the annual Filipino tradition in May (also called the month of flowers or Flores de Mayo) of honoring the Blessed Virgin Mary through a Santacruzan procession reenacting the search and discovery of the Holy Christ by St. Helena, mother of Constantine, the first Christian emperor of the Roman Empire. She expressed appreciation particularly to Ms. Benilda Hizon, hermana mayor who invited the Philippine Consul General and Mr. and Mrs. June Turija.

Consul General Jamoralin also made a last minute appeal to Filipino overseas voters in Illinois who had not yet mailed back their ballots to the Philippine Consulate in Chicago to submit their ballots in person to the Consulate which were open during the whole weekend of May 11 and 12 until the election’s closing time of 5:00 AM of May 13, Monday. END