A 9-year-old's lemonade stand took off — now, he’s using his profits to fund a mobile library for babies in the NICU that saved his own life

The project grew out of Jhase’s own experience. He was born prematurely at about 24 weeks, weighing just one pound and nine ounces. He spent 91 days in the NICU. His mother, Nazjma Smith, told local news outlet WSOC-TV that the kindness of others helped her family navigate an “extremely scary” time.

Now, Jhase is paying that support forward.

When life gives you lemons…

“I was a NICU baby,” Jhase told WSOC-TV. “I was 24 weeks, and then someone helped my mom when she was healthy when I was a little baby. So we’re helping hospitals.”

His lemonade business, Jhase Made Lemonade, started when he was much younger. In 2022, when Jhase was just four years old, local television station WBTV reported that he was already selling lemonade and donating 20% of his monthly sales to NICUs. At the time, his business had already contributed thousands of dollars to hospitals and NICU programs.

“I like doing the lemonade because it’s cool and fun,” Jhase said at the time. “I like helping the babies.”

Jhase sells all kinds of lemonade, from traditional lemonade to strawberry, blueberry and peach. And his business has continued to grow as he has gotten older, allowing him to use his entrepreneurial efforts to support causes that are personal to him.

Babies and books

The new mobile library isn’t simply about giving parents something to read while they wait. For families with babies in intensive care, reading can be one way to maintain a sense of connection during an overwhelming experience.

“Reading is important for brain development at all ages, and so even in the NICU it matters,” Amy Cornum, Director of Women’s Services told WSOC-TV. “And so we want to encourage that.”