About Project SPEAKS, Inc.
Our Motto: Creating positive change in communities through education and service
​Project SPEAKS, Inc. (Spread Positivity Encourage Awareness Know Something), is a (501c3) California-based non-profit organization, volunteer group, and movement created to promote unity, self-awareness, and positivity.
Founded in 2012, Project SPEAKS' goal is to provide academic and non-academic resources to developing communities, while promoting community education, social awareness, and personal growth.
Our Mission
Project SPEAKS, Inc. strives to establish programming and services to promote, engage, and enhance the development of growing communities. Project SPEAKS, Inc. is dedicated to helping students and community members, especially those who come from marginalized backgrounds, grow personally, academically, and professionally by combining academic services, civic action, social awareness, and community engagement to promote development in all members of society.
To advance our mission, we strive to:
Vision #1: Provide academic support through peer mentoring, tutoring, and skills development. Additionally, utilize resources to increase access to and persistence through academia.
Vision #2: Enhance leadership and social awareness through a variety of programs, conferences, and networking opportunities.
​Vision #3: Strengthen growing communities through volunteer service, community education, and eliminating barriers to opportunities.
We Serve:
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Growing communities, with an emphasis on low income and marginalized populations
We Encourage:
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Self-expression and healing through artistic platforms such as poetry, dance, music, and art.
We Provide:
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Activities, programming, services, and workshops to promote development, sustainability, and growth.
Our Strategic Plan
Our Team
Program Coordinator
Jamal Harris
Outreach Coordinator
Lani Elliot
Volunteer Coordinator
Angela Harris
Brand Ambassador
Yasmine Willis-Fernandez
Our Founder & CEO
Jakeel R. Harris is an educator, community organizer, and spoken-word poet who tackles topics of social justice, leadership, and self-awareness. He is the Founder and CEO of Project SPEAKS, Inc., through which he offers services as an Educational Consultant.
He is a higher education professional with over a decade of experience serving in leadership roles within different student services departments and support programs across the CSU, UC, and California Community College systems. In his higher education practice, Jakeel places a heavy emphasis on providing equity-based programming, promoting leadership development, and encouraging intentional co-curricular involvement. He specializes in embedding student engagement strategies in his approach to increase student involvement and student success.
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He currently serves as the Assistant Director of the Black Resource Center at California State University, Long Beach.
"The ability to enhance and grow our communities lies in the willingness to dedicate time, energy, and effort into bettering ourselves and supporting others in their journey."
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Jakeel R. Harris, M.S.
Founder & CEO, Project SPEAKS