Amanda Ebokosia, Newark, is founder of The Gem Project, which educates young people about critical issues affecting their communities. Through activism and service-learning, youth strengthen skills of leadership and community organizing. Founded The Gem Project which has impacted the lives of over 2500+ youth and young adults since its inception in 2006. Working with youth through the framework of youth organizing and critical service-learning, young people are emboldened through their annual fellowship to influence policy and engage in positive outcomes that lead to college attainment, matriculation, and graduation beginning in their sophomore year in high school. Young people are provided with access to financial literacy, life skills, and industry leaders in professional fields of interests. Awarded thousands of dollars to youth and young adults through the organization’s annual Gem Project Fellow awards, where youth can use proceeds to further fund initiatives of their own, personal matters, or support their academic pursuits.