Maryland Nonprofit Continues to Empower Youth, Award Scholarships, Accept Award Nominations

Nonprofits such as IT TAKES TWO, INC provide immeasurable support within communities.

Jaemellah Jackson, founder and CEO of IT TAKES TWO, INC established a nonprofit organization dedicated to enriching the lives of young people and increasing opportunities for them by providing scholarships, life skills, and educational programming. Six hundred students have been supported through IT TAKES TWO, INC’s scholarships and hybrid educational programming.

“DJ Potts” (Donnell Potts, Jr.)  a 17-year-old eleventh grader from Lanham, Maryland, stated that IT TAKES TWO, INC has helped him to increase his leadership skills; attend college tours; participate in seminars; increase his Al and data literacy; and obtain his first wedding booking for his DJ business.

“I have my own deejaying business (DJ Hyper Sound Music) and they have helped me with different gig opportunities. It TAKES TWO, INC, has also helped me network. For example, I was in Toastmasters because of IT TAKES TWO,” said DJ.

DJ plans to study business in college, then enroll in a trade school to learn about auto mechanics. 

“I would like to run my own auto shop one day and I would also have my deejaying business as a side job. I just would like to thank IT TAKES TWO for everything they have done for me and will do for me.”

Jackson, a mother, wife and nonprofit consultant who resides in Baltimore County, remains dedicated to helping IT TAKES TWO, INC grow to enable more youth like DJ to experience a brighter future. Jackson stated that the nonprofit has experienced growth among community partners and achieved various firsts.

“Last year, we executed our first Learn & Play series with Dave & Buster’s Capitol Heights, and Equity Now, Inc. for our Financial Education for Today’s Youth workshop, where youth learned how to invest, save, and discussed personal finances. Thirty youth were in attendance,” Jackson stated.

IT TAKES TWO partnered with Equity Now, Inc. to host the first Youth Investment Summit in July, a 5-day deep dive into investing for eighth- to twelfth-grade students. They learned investment strategies, how to create generational wealth, and stock market investment techniques with live market simulations, and more. 

Jackson added, “Learning and the application of financial education continued as parents opened custodial accounts and started investing! Our second annual summit is happening Monday, July 28, 2025 through Friday, August 2 from 9 a.m. to noon at Legends Public Charter School in Lanham, Maryland. Registration is open at www.ittakestwoinc.org/events.”

Among many mentioned expansions, Positioned for Greatness Youth Program (P4GYP) members executed their first service day by preparing kindness bags for 35 unhoused youth. Additionally, a 75% increase in Tools for Success Scholarship funding was achieved and a 50% increase in scholarships were awarded.

 “Since 2012, we’ve awarded 40 scholarships totaling over $16,000,” said Jackson.

Students can take advantage of more opportunities through IT TAKES TWO, INC.

The 2025 Tool for Success scholarships

The Tools for Success Scholarship is IT TAKES TWO, INC’s cornerstone program that has operated since the nonprofit’s inception in 2012. It supports single parents with back-to-school costs. Eligible students must be in grades four through college, have at least a 2.5 GPA, and live in Baltimore City and the following counties: Anne Arundel; Baltimore; Dorchester; Charles; Montgomery; and Prince George’s. Scholarships pay for school supplies; books; uniforms; academic and sports registration fees; laptops; tutoring; and Internet service for the school year. College students also receive a college care package. The submission deadline is July 1, 2025 at 11:59 p.m. Students can apply online at www.ittakestwoinc.org/scholarship.

“We seek to award five scholarships this year and recipients will be announced on August 1, 2025,” said Jackson.

Awards

The Youth & Community Awards Brunch 2025 will be held on Saturday, August 9, 2025 from 11 a.m.- 2 p.m. at Great Wolf Lodge located in Perryville, Maryland. The IT TAKES TWO, INC’s fundraiser brunch supports the nonprofit’s youth programs and initiatives.

“One of our very own Positioned for Greatness Youth Program members, Donnell Potts, will be our DJ for the event,” said Jackson.

During the brunch, IT TAKES TWO, INC will celebrate 2025-2026 Tools for Success Scholarship recipients; honor five local Maryland youth in various award categories; and thank the nonprofit’s community partners for their dedication to our youth.

Nominations are underway. Youth in grades fifth to twelfth living in Maryland can be nominated for Rising Phoenix; He/She’s Got Game; Youth in Service; Youth Entrepreneur of the Year; and Leading by Example categories.

Please visit the nomination link to learn more and apply: bit.ly/ittnominations. Tickets will be on sale May 19, 2025. Visit  youthawards2025.eventbrite.com.