Junior Achievement of Memphis and the Mid-South

Happy holiday break! ❄️ At Junior Achievement of Memphis and the Mid-South, we’re closing until January 6, when we’ll be back with another exciting, jam-packed semester of JA programs. Before we go, though, we want to take one more opportunity to THANK YOU for all the ways you’ve made this year so great. We couldn’t do the important work of making sure EVERY CHILD is WORLD READY without you. There’s still time to make a gift so that 2025 will be even better – and whatever you give will be matched dollar-for-dollar if you give before December 31. Give today: jamemphis.org/invest Have a wonderful holiday season and we’ll see you in the New Year! 

Say cheese! 🧀 A huge THANK YOU to Greys Fine Cheese & Entertaining for hosting an adult version of our JA Lunch & Learn Career Speaker Series for our staff holiday closeout! Through their incredible wine and cheese pairing and catered lunch, we learned so much about flavor, craftsmanship, and the art of pairing. Even better, we got to witness entrepreneurship in action and celebrate a small business gem in our community—Jackie and Kurt Mullican, who not only share amazing cheese but also knowledge and passion for food that enrich us all. It was the perfect way to gather as a team before the holidays, and we can’t thank them enough for the unforgettable experience. Here’s to learning, community, and great cheese! 

🌎 WORLD READY RADIO THROWBACK This week, we’re revisiting an incredible episode of our World Ready Radio podcast with Gina Neely, host of Action News 5 ’s Bluff City Life! Gina dives into the power of self-discovery and how identifying and leveraging your unique skills—a key part of JA’s work readiness pillar— can help students better prepare for their future. Ready to discover your strengths? Check out JA Connect for tools to find your skills, explore careers, and prepare for the real world: connect.ja.org. Listen to Gina’s inspiring story wherever you get your podcasts and visit JA Connect to start your journey! #WorldReadyRadio #WorkReadiness #CareerReadiness #JAConnect #EveryChildWorldReady #Leadership #Inspiration

💡 Help Your Students Discover Their Future!💡 "If our children know what they want to do and have a plan, they’re gonna be more successful." Educators, you have the opportunity to help your students discover their future! JA Inspire and JA Inspire Advanced offers 8th and 11th graders the chance to explore regional careers, connect with industry professionals, and uncover the skills they need to succeed. Help your students take the first step toward a bright future by registering today: https://lnkd.in/enYYFN6! Want to learn more about JA Inspire 2025? Join us for a virtual info session on 1/9 to learn how this event can make a difference for your students and school. RSVP for the session: bit.ly/INSPIREINFO #JAInspire #CareerExploration #WorkReadiness #EveryChildWorldReady #EducatorSupport

Concentration. Discovery. Teamwork. Fun. When you give a gift to Junior Achievement of Memphis and the Mid-South, you help make sure ALL children in our region can experience our best-in-class simulations, like JA Inspire Career Exploration (left) and the JA Stock Market Challenge (right), new this year. Even better, your gift before December 31 will be matched dollar-for-dollar, doubling your impact for the children we serve. Give a gift today: jamemphis.org/invest THANK YOU for helping make sure EVERY CHILD is WORLD READY. We can’t do this important work without you. 

🌟 Discover Your Future with JA Inspire! 🌟 Hey students! Ready to explore exciting career journeys and discover your potential? Join us at JA Inspire and JA Inspire Advanced for an immersive career exploration experience! ⚙️ JA Inspire: Dive into hands-on activities and meet industry leaders at our in-person expo for 8th graders. Get a firsthand look at fast-growing, regional careers and learn how to turn your skills into a successful future! ⚙️ JA Inspire Advanced: 11th graders, this one's for you! Explore a wide range of careers through our interactive virtual platform. Connect with local businesses, watch on-demand videos, and participate in live events—all from the comfort of your home or classroom. Mark Your Calendars: - 8th Grade In-Person Expo: May 6-8, 2025 at Agricenter International - 11th Grade Virtual Career Fair: February - May 2025 Don't miss out on this incredible opportunity to shape your future! Learn more and register today at https://lnkd.in/enYYFN6 #JAInspire #CareerExploration #FutureReady #StudentSuccess

Building generational wealth for everyone in our community starts with entrepreneurship! 💡 We're thrilled to celebrate this exciting new Multicultural Entrepreneur Accelerator program from our partners at Greater Memphis Chamber and so proud of the incredible leadership from former JA Young Professional Board Member Jessica Mosley, AICP driving this effort forward. Check it out and learn more here: https://lnkd.in/eCqJAggu #EveryChildWorldReady #Entrepreneurship

🌟 Empowering Students Through the JA Career Speaker Series! This week, students at E.E. Jeter, Compass Community Schools - Berclair, Westwood High School, and Germanshire Elementary had the incredible opportunity to hear from professionals in fields like cybersecurity, finance, engineering, healthcare, and more. A highlight was Núria Llobet Perera of AZO, Inc., who shared her journey of moving to the U.S. from Spain, navigating college, and overcoming challenges. Answering questions in both English and Spanish, she connected deeply with the school’s majority bilingual students, showing them the power of resilience and what they can achieve. We are so grateful to the amazing people and organizations that made this possible: JA Board Member Scott Trammell with Strategic Financial Partners, FedEx, FSNB, Baptist Health Sciences University, KenBrook Staffing INC., HOMER SKELTON FORD OF MILLINGTON, LLC, GPM Drones LLC, and children’s book author Becky Thomas. Programs like these open students' eyes to new possibilities, giving them the tools to dream big. Thank you to all our speakers and partners for their time and dedication. Together, we’re working to make #EveryChildWorldReady! 🌍✨ 💡 Want to make a difference? Sign up for one of our volunteer spots available in the new year: https://lnkd.in/e8TZg_9z

📚 JA in a Day at Power Center Academy- Hickory Hill Today was nothing short of inspiring as Junior Achievement teamed up with PCA Hickory Hill for JA in a Day, offering their awesome K-5 students a hands-on experience in financial literacy, work readiness, and entrepreneurship—all packed into one dynamic day! This impactful event was made possible thanks to the support of dedicated volunteers from Planters Bank, Nike, PCAHH's parents and TAs, and our amazing TAP High School Heroes from Melrose and PCA- Hickory Hill. Your contributions helped empower students to take steps toward brighter futures! . Want to bring this transformative Junior Achievement program to your school? Visit jamemphis.org/programs to learn how we can help inspire and prepare your students for success! 🌟 #JAinaDay #EveryChildWorldReady #FinancialLiteracy #WorkReadiness #Entrepreneurship #JuniorAchievement #PCAHickoryHill #CommunityImpact 

Inspiring Career Journeys Start Here! 🌎 📻 Check out this throwback episode of World Ready Radio featuring Billy Dunavant, a Junior Achievement alum and Young Professionals Board member. Billy’s journey began as a 5th-grade DJ at JA BizTown, where he discovered a passion for financial literacy and learned how businesses generate revenue. That early curiosity led him to major in economics, deepening his understanding of how money and businesses shape the world. Today, he applies those lessons at his family’s nearly 100-year-old Memphis business, Dunavant, while continuing to give back through JA. 🎧 Hear more about Billy’s story and the values that shaped his career at jamemphis.org or wherever you get your podcasts. Looking to develop your own financial skills and career readiness? Explore JA Connect for free tools and resources: connect.ja.org! #EveryChildWorldReady #FinancialLiteracy #CareerGrowth #JuniorAchievement #JABizTown #Economics #JAConnect #Leadership