Jahkil Jackson’s mission: Inspiring youth to give back and become leaders

CHICAGO (WGN) – It’s not often when we find a young man so willing to help others, but for 17-year-old Jahkil Jackson, it’s been his life’s work.

WGN-TV first met Jahkil nine years ago when he was eight years old, and he had just started out by giving back, making what he called “blessing bags.” The blessing bags were filled with essentials for people experiencing homelessness.

More than 200,000 blessing bags have been given away over the years.

Last month, Jahkil graduated high school and did his final blessing bag event last week before going to college.

“It’s definitely an exciting time. It’s nerve-wracking not being sure on the next steps into adulthood, but just knowing I have so many routes I can go down, it makes me hopeful and keeps me on my toes I guess,” Jahkil said.

The routes Jahkil has already taken are impressive.

He’s authored three books, been featured in a Marvel Comic Book and his “Project I Am” foundation has expanded into several states and three other countries.

“Young people are the future leaders, so we’re going to have to start now so we can be more prepared when we get to those roles, and that’s my main mission – to influence youth to start now because we don’t have to wait to be great,” Jahkil said.

His mother said the work he started as a boy quickly became a whole family effort.

“It’s been way more than I anticipated as a parent,” Jahkil’s mother Na-Tae’ Jackson said. “We just made sure that we backed him up and supported him in everything he wanted to do….when I look at him now, I see a young man who’s representing Chicago very well and it just made us so proud.”

Jahkil’s grandmother Phyllis Smith is also feeling the positive impact of her grandson’s work.

“Helping him work his way through different situations and the growth that he has done, the impact he’s had on other kids is really just awesome,” Smith said.

She added that impact will continue with the “Next Up Service Club,” teaching other young people how to give back where they are, as Jahkil remains active with that and whatever else he comes up with next as the final blessing bags of this chapter are handed out.

“To be able to do this for so many years is really exciting. Just to see the impact I’ve been able to make over the short amount of time at a young age and makes me more excited for the work I plan on doing in the future,” Jahkil said.