Academic Support and Community Education

Students from Allan Hancock College 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.

Founder Jakeel Harris leading an educational workshop for Upward Bound students at Pasadena City College. 2019

Our Services

The B.L.A.C.K. Conference

In response to the negative depictions of Black people and all things surrounding Blackness, Project SPEAKS organized The Black Leaders Actively Creating Knowledge (B.L.A.C.K.) Conference. This conference aims 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 (education, employment, life, etc.).

 Scholarships

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

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 - 2025-2026 SCHOLARSHIPS - Applications Open May 1, 2025

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

Testimonials 

"Receiving this scholarship is proof that I am capable of acheiving success. I had doubts when I got into graduate school and didn't think there was any was of affording it. Now, because of this award, I have an opportunity to pay for some of the fees of graduate school. "


- Desmond R., 1st Year Graduate Student,

Calfornia State University, Northridge 


`21 Representation in STEM Scholarship

"Winning this award means a lot to me because it shows that being vulnerable and talking about my circumstances is something that people appreciate to hear. Receiving this scholarship is a special opportunity that I am extremely grateful for because it will lessen the stress I have to pay for college expenses."


- Maddy G., 12th grade, La Puente High School


`20, Stephanie Gonzalez Passion Award Winner

"Winning this poetry contest makes me feel like my words matter. I am glad that I was able to win an award that will help me pay for some of my books. I have one less thing to worry about now."


- Anabelle C., 2nd Year Transfer Student,

Mt. San Antonio College 


`21 Poetry Contest Award Winner 


I was really worried about going to school. I've always struggle to pay for college and because of that I never was able to continue college after high school. This award gives me the opportunity to try again without the burden of paying for everything by myself. 


- Justin E., 1st Year Student,

UEI College


`21 Poetry Contest Award Winner 

"I am very honored to have won this award because it is going to help me in the long run pay for college or any other expenses. I am very thankful for this scholarship since it is a huge help for the fees I may need to pay.... Having this award will help my mother, so she won’t be stressing financially."


- Arianna D., 12th Grade, La Puente High School


`20, Stephanie Gonzalez Passion Award Winner

"This scholarship will help me with the stress that comes with having to pay for college. One of my main goals is wanting to be able to solely focus my attention on school, and not have to work a part-time job. Winning this award has given me an extra boost of confidence that I can be great and will succeed in college."


- Gisselle M., 12th Grade, La Puente High School


`20, Stephanie Gonzalez Passion Award Winner

Academic Workshops 

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.

Topics included but not limited to:


For workshop descriptions, please contact wearespeaks@gmail.com