ACADEMIC SUPPORT AND COMMUNITY EDUCATION
At Project SPEAKS, Inc., we place an emphasis on providing students with additional academic support through educational workshops and tutoring, as well as resources to promote and increase academic success. We also strive to provide the community with trainings and workshops to increase their skills and awareness on a variety of topics.
Academic Services
The B.L.A.C.K. Conference
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In response to the negative depictions of Black people and all things surrounding Blackness, Project SPEAKS is organizing a conference aiming to celebrate, uplift, and represent all forms of Blackness in a positive manner while also providing resources and increasing awareness of the issues and concerns Black people face in different aspects of society.
Expected date: 2027
Academic Workshops
Project SPEAKS, Inc. strives to create workshops and programs that are accessible to the entire community. Providing quality and informative workshops are necessary components in increasing awareness and developing useful skillsets for community members. Various workshop topics are offered, including self-awareness/identity, enhancing group dynamics, self-reflective journaling, empowerment, and many more.
Scholarships and Awards
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As a non-profit organization primarily focused on supporting marginalized and underrepresented populations, Project SPEAKS, Inc. is well aware of the financial hardships that these communities face. Through financial support, we hope to help open doors to students from low-income families by eliminating the financial barriers preventing access to education.
Academic Workshops and Courses
Project SPEAKS, Inc. and its partners aim to create content and resources based on the needs of the communities being served. Various workshop topics are offered, including self-awareness/identity, enhancing group dynamics, self-reflective journaling, empowerment, and many more. Other workshop topics include conflict management, leadership, social justice, and advocacy.
If there is a topic, not listed below, that you would like us to create a workshop around, or if you would like additional information on a workshop topic, please email us at wearespeaks@gmail.com
*All workshops offered are provided based on request.
Leading With Empathy: Course and Competency Series
Project SPEAKS' offers a certificated Leadership Fundamentals course that provides activities, workshops, and presentations centered around different topics of leadership. Topics include: Identity, Leadership Awareness, Effective Communication, Emotional Intelligence, and much more!
The course was developed through the lens of Leading with Empathy. To Founder and CEO Jakeel Harris, empathy is a vital part of leadership competency. Without empathy, those who consider themselves leaders will have difficulty building rapport, trusting others, and navigating our ever-diversifying and changing world. Part of leading with empathy involves working to understand the needs of other people and needs of oneself.
Though we can only empathize as far as our privilege allows us to, we must create an environment with care as the foundation of what we do and promote. While we won't understand or resonate with every experience that someone is navigating, we can do our part in understanding the needs that require support or resources, and do our best to provide assistance, as much as our capacity allows us to.
The course focuses on fostering and developing leadership skills. Through multimedia analysis, participant-led discussions, and guided activities, participants will develop a fundamental understanding of leadership and its application in today’s society. This course is a 4-6 week series that is offered by topic or as an entire course.
Topics included but not limited to:
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Enhancing Group Dynamics
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Leadership Seminar: Foundations to Leadership
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Self-Reflective Journaling
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Rhyme and Reason: Critical Pedagogy of Expressive Art
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Self-Awareness and Identity
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Community Engagement and Empowerment
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Identity Expression and Development
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Staff Development and Encouraging Professional Growth
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Understanding Your Role as a Housing Professional
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Social and Cultural Competency
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Embracing Allyship: Building a Foundation for Care
For workshop descriptions, please contact wearespeaks@gmail.com
Recent Workshop Highlights:
Students from Mt. SAC Upward Bound pictured with Project SPEAKS staff, during a workshop presentation. 2026.
Founder and CEO Jakeel Harris leading an educational workshop for Student Affairs Staff at CSULB. 2026
Founder and CEO Jakeel Harris presenting at the United Black Student Conference (UBSC) at MiraCosta College. 2025
Founder and CEO Jakeel Harris leading an housing and residential life workshop for Upward Bound Students at Mt.SAC. 2022
Founder and CEO, Jakeel Harris performing for the United Black Student Conference. 2025.
Founder and CEO Jakeel Harris with the Black Student Athlete Association after an educational workshop at CSULB. 2025
Students from Allan Hancock College's Poetry and Prose Club pictured with Project SPEAKS staff, after a poetry workshop. 2024.
Students from Long Beach City College Upward Bound pictured with Project SPEAKS staff, after a mental health presentation. 2023.
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Founder Jakeel Harris leading an educational workshop for Upward Bound students at Pasadena City College. 2019
2025-2026 Scholarships - Applications Now Closed
Representation in STEM Scholarship
Project SPEAKS, Inc. strives to support students from marginalized and disadvantaged backgrounds pursuing education in STEM. Project SPEAKS, Inc. encourages students from these backgrounds, who have a passion for STEM to pursue these goals and aims to help students work towards their educational goals, research, or opportunities. This scholarship focuses on providing financial assistance to ensure students have access to quality education toward a successful career in STEM.
Award Amount: $2,000
Award Quantity: 1
Poetry Contest
Words have the power to shape realities. Poetry is one avenue that people use to show the power of words. Project SPEAKS, Inc. has created this scholarship/award to encourage people to use poetry as a way to reflect and describe the world as they know it.
Award Amount: $2,000
Award Quantity: 1
Project SPEAKS Award
Project SPEAKS, Inc. strives to create workshops and programs that are accessible to the entire community. Providing quality and informative workshops are necessary components in increasing awareness and developing useful skillsets for community members. Various workshop topics are offered, including self-awareness/identity, enhancing group dynamics, self-reflective journaling, empowerment, and many more.
Award Amount: $250
Award Quantity: 4
