|
2026 Hall of Fame Recap
When A Community Shows Up
| | |
You could feel it the moment you walked into the room. The energy was high, conversations were warm, and there was a shared sense that something meaningful was happening. The room was brimming with business and community leaders gathered for the Junior Achievement Business Leaders Hall of Fame—a powerful reminder of what happens when a community shows up for its students.
As guests arrived, students welcomed attendees with confidence and joy. The room quickly filled with friends, partners, and supporters, and one thing became clear: this evening belonged to the many people across the Triad who continue to believe in young people and invest in their futures.
| | |
One of the highlights of the night was hearing directly from students impacted by Junior Achievement. Their stories moved the room and reflected what becomes possible when students gain confidence and real-world skills that help prepare them for the future.
The evening also honored three exceptional Laureates whose leadership has helped strengthen our region. Their stories reminded us that strong communities are built by people who use their success to create opportunity and open doors for others.
| | |
Honoring our 2026 Hall of Fame Laureates:
Dr. Connie Ledoux Book, Todd Hall, and Mae Douglas
| | |
Most of all, the night was a celebration of generosity. This year’s event was marked by record in-room giving for Junior Achievement, and the support of sponsors, donors, table hosts, volunteers, and attendees will help open even more pathways to economic mobility and career-connected learning that students so desperately need.
We were also honored to share the launch of JA Finance Park Mobile, an exciting new initiative that will bring hands-on learning experiences directly to students across our region, and become THE place where financial literacy meets workforce readiness!
Thank you for filling the room, lifting the mission, and believing in the next generation. This unforgettable night happened because our community showed up.
| |
Introducing JA Finance Park Mobile
Where the Triad’s Financial Literacy Meets
Workforce Readiness
| | |
Junior Achievement of the Triad is proud to introduce JA Finance Park Mobile, the next step in how we are bringing financial literacy and career-connected learning directly to students.
This immersive, 3,000-square-foot mobile experience brings financial literacy and career exploration directly to students. Through a real-world simulation, students manage a personal budget, make everyday financial decisions, and connect those choices to real careers alongside local employers and workforce partners.
JA Finance Park Mobile reflects the power of partnership across the Triad and is designed to give students something lasting: the knowledge, confidence, and clarity to make informed decisions about their future.
We are building toward a summer 2027 pilot and look forward to bringing this experience to students across our region.
| | |
We are proud to recognize Bank of America as one of Junior Achievement of the Triad’s strongest classroom partners.
Across our region, Bank of America team members show up in meaningful ways—volunteering in classrooms throughout the year and reaching students in many of our highest-need schools. Their engagement is consistent, hands-on, and deeply aligned with our mission to deliver foundational financial literacy to students who benefit most from early exposure.
What stands out most is the energy their volunteers bring into the classroom. Students are not only learning key concepts, they are building connections with professionals who help make those lessons real. That kind of engagement leaves a lasting impression.
| | |
Bank of America’s partnership also reflects a broader commitment to this work, with both volunteer leadership and financial investment helping expand access to JA programming across the Triad.
As Greg Cox, Triad President, shared:
| | | | We’re proud to partner with Junior Achievement of the Triad to support students across our community. Opportunities to connect in the classroom truly matter, and we value the important role JA plays in building a strong foundation in financial literacy. Our investment in this work reflects our commitment to expanding economic mobility and helping young people develop skills for a successful future. | | One Morning Can Change Everything | | There’s still time to make a meaningful impact in the classroom before this school year comes to a close. Whether you can give a morning, an hour, or a full session, your time and perspective matter more than you think—and Junior Achievement makes it easy to get started. | | |
Elementary
School
Step into an elementary classroom across the Triad and help students build foundational financial literacy skills. Junior Achievement provides all materials and training—you simply bring your real-world experience to help learning come alive. Most opportunities are a one-day commitment (8:00–11:30 a.m.), with flexible multi-week options also available.
| | |
Career Speaker's
Events
Middle school students thrive when they can connect learning to real people and real careers. Our monthly Career Speaker Events bring community professionals into classrooms to share their day-to-day work and career journeys as they rotate between groups of students. It’s a low-lift, high-impact opportunity—perfect for individuals or teams looking to volunteer together and showcase their industry.
| | |
High School Personal Finance
Help students gain the practical skills they’ll use long after graduation—from budgeting and saving to credit and financial decision-making. Junior Achievement provides a ready-to-use presentation complete with videos, activities, and discussion prompts. You bring your experience and insight. Sessions are scheduled throughout the Triad this spring.
| |
Investing in the Future
JA at North Forsyth High
| | |
Junior Achievement of the Triad was proud to partner with North Forsyth High School to deliver a dynamic Career Speakers Event, connecting students with professionals from across our community. Through a series of engaging, small-group sessions, students had the opportunity to hear directly from volunteers about their career journeys, the skills they use every day, and the decisions that shaped their paths.
From finance and healthcare to entrepreneurship and skilled trades, each conversation helped make the connection between classroom learning and real-world opportunity. These moments matter. Students are not only building awareness of careers, they are beginning to see themselves in them. As we often say, students can’t be what they can’t see.
The impact of these experiences was captured best by Principal Hayes, who shared:
| | | | When our community shows up for students, it expands what they believe is possible. By bringing in professionals from a variety of fields to share their career journeys, we help students see real pathways from the classroom to the workforce. These experiences make learning more relevant, connect academic skills to real-world applications, and inspire students to envision their own futures with greater clarity and confidence. By rallying around our students, we are not only investing in their individual futures, but also strengthening the future of our entire community. | | We are grateful for your support! | | |
Junior Achievement of the Triad | Website | | | | | |
