The Gem Project
History
Empowering Youth to Address Injustice Within Education,
Health, Criminal Justice, and Democracy Since 2006.
Our Story
At The Gem Project, we believe that youth and young adults are not just tomorrow’s leaders—they’re today’s changemakers. They don’t need to wait to make an impact; they can start now.
Founded in 2006 by Amanda A. Ebokosia, The Gem Project empowers youth to address injustice within education, health, criminal justice, and democracy. The project was born when Amanda, then a sophomore at Rutgers University–Newark, faced a family health crisis that inspired her to take action. She put out a national call, rallying people to join an awareness campaign, which evolved into a traveling exhibit that started at NJIT and Rutgers, eventually making its way to other colleges and universities. Supported by volunteers, this campaign grew into a lasting platform for youth-led fellowships for ages 16-24, offering paid stipends and organizing roles.
Since then, The Gem Project has reached thousands, guiding youth to create lasting impact through social movements, peer learning, training, and education. Our motto, “We Captivate to Educate,” reflects our vision of youth leading social change within their communities. Through all its iterations, youth have always been at the forefront—and they always will be.
Significant Dates
2006
The Gem Project was born when Amanda Ebokosia, then a sophomore at Rutgers University–Newark, faced a family health crisis that inspired her to take action. She put out a national call, rallying people to join an awareness campaign, which evolved into a traveling exhibit that started at NJIT and Rutgers, eventually making its way to other colleges and universities. Supported by volunteers, this campaign grew into a lasting platform which led into a multitude of iterations that now sees itself as a youth-led fellowship for ages 16-24, offering paid stipends and organizing roles to address issues of inequity across health, education, criminal justice, and democracy.
2007
The Gem Project was incorporated on October 1, 2007 and facilitates programming for youth, young adults and children from age 4 to 24.
2008
Amanda Ebokosia graduates from Rutgers University with Bachelors in Biological Sciences, while minoring in Psychology.
2010
The Gem Project establishes a volunteer-based literacy program that allows college students to anchor themselves at public libraries across Newark, New Jersey to facilitate reading and hands-on activities that bring light to problems but allow children to come up with their own solutions after each reading.
2012
President Barack Obama’s Administration recognizes The Gem Project on the White House website for its youth advocacy, leadership, and civic engagement. Noting what makes The Gem Project truly inspiring, is its commitment to putting the reins in the hands of youth. By nurturing and empowering young leaders to organize in their own communities, The Gem Project has sparked thousands of young Americans to address pressing social challenges.
- The Gem Project was featured in Forbes Magazine, highlighting its founder, as a Forbes under 30 honoree in Education. Amanda Ebokosia, named a “Millennial on a Mission.”
2014
Starting fresh – the Gem Project consolidated all of its programming and decreased its target demographic to focus primarily on youth ages 16 to 24, instead of 4-24, which concluded its successful Interactive Literacy Program, making way for what will become a fellowship program.
2018
The Gem Project Fellowship was established.
CEO earns MA in Youth Studies at CUNY SPS, as The Gem Project Fellowship as her capstone project.