Our Blog
Financial Literacy and Beyond
By Julia Grant
Financial Literacy
So, are you still wondering what Financial Literacy really means?
The phrase “financial literacy” has become a popular buzzword and a hot topic in the worlds of education and finance. As awareness of the importance of financial education continues to grow, so does the definition of student readiness, success, and long-term economic...
Celebrating Impact and Partnership
By Cord Bailey
Community Involvement
On April 13, 2026, Junior Achievement of Central Carolinas proudly hosted its first-ever Partner Summit, bringing together business partners, volunteers, board members, and community leaders for an afternoon focused on impact, collaboration, and what’s next for students across our region.
Held at JA’s headquarters, the summit marked an important milestone; not just as a new convening, but as a...
Preparing the Next Generation of Leaders: Junior Achievement and Staples Expand Partnership
Blog from JA USA
By Elizabeth Stepanek
Corporate Responsibility
Preparing students for the future of work takes more than classroom instruction—it takes collaboration between educators, communities, and the business leaders shaping tomorrow’s workforce. That’s why Junior Achievement USA is proud to expand its partnership with Staples to help more students across the country gain access to career-connected learning...
JA’s Outcomes-Based Strategic Blueprint
Blog from JA USA
By Elizabeth Stepanek
Corporate Responsibility
At Junior Achievement, we believe every student deserves a future filled with choices and opportunities. That belief is the foundation of JA’s outcomes-based strategic blueprint; a clear, intentional approach to education that starts not with programs, but with the outcomes that matter most for students’ long-term...
Preparing Students for What’s Next: Key Insights from a Recent JA Alumni Survey
Blog from JA USA
By Elizabeth Stepanek
Corporate Responsibility
Our recent survey of Gen Z and Millennial JA alumni demonstrate and reflects the tangible ways JA is helping students prepare...
Education for What’s Next: Powering Economic Mobility
Blog from JA USA
By Elizabeth Stepanek
Corporate Responsibility
What’s next? It’s the question on everyone’s mind. Technologies we’ve never seen before are reshaping the world in ways we never imagined. Jobs people rely on today may not exist...
East Meck AFJROTC Brings Leadership to Life at Rama Road Elementary
By Cord Bailey
Community Involvement
East Mecklenburg High School’s AFJROTC cadets transformed Rama Road Elementary into a hub of energy and discovery during a JA in a Day school takeover through our High School Heroes...
Young Innovators Shine at First-Ever JA Be Entrepreneurial Pitch Competition
By Cord Bailey
Corporate Responsibility
The first JA Be Entrepreneurial Pitch Competition at UNC Charlotte’s Co-Lab highlighted the creativity, problem-solving skills, and ambition of Charlotte’s young innovators. In the weeks leading up to the event, students engaged in hands-on design thinking exercises, learning how to identify challenges, brainstorm solutions, prototype ideas, and refine their pitches. With guidance from the...
The ROI of Investing in Youth: Why Economic Mobility is a Community Imperative
Blog from JA USA
By Elizabeth Stepanek
Corporate Responsibility
When we talk about “return on investment,” our minds often jump to balance sheets, bottom lines, and quarterly reports. But what if the greatest ROI isn’t financial in the short term but social, economic, and generational in the long...
Honoring the Life and Legacy of Ken Sharp
By Cord Bailey
Corporate Responsibility
We are deeply saddened by the loss of Kenneth Claude Sharp, a valued and beloved member of our Junior Achievement of the Central Carolinas...
