70 Years, One Million Journeys
SHAPING TOMORROW’S LEADERS
To our community,
This is the year we make history—Junior Achievement of Greater New Orleans will reach our 1 millionth student!
For 70 years, JA has prepared young people to succeed in their financial futures, careers, and entrepreneurial dreams. Together, we’ve built a legacy of resilience and innovation, and now, we’re inviting you to be part of this extraordinary milestone.
To our alumni—your journeys are the heart of this celebration. Share your story with us and inspire the next generation. To our corporate partners, this is your chance to make a bigger impact: invest in our mission and encourage your employees to volunteer with JA this year. And to our long-time supporters, we’re calling on you to give just a little more—your dedication has brought us here, and with your help, we’ll go even further.
Stay tuned—this is just the beginning! As we approach our 1 millionth student, we’ll be searching for the one who marks this historic moment. Could it be a future electrical engineer from JA BizTown, a high school innovator in the Trust Your Crazy Ideas Challenge, or a young trailblazer discovering their dream career through Future Connect? Follow along for updates and fun opportunities to celebrate with us. From special events to community spotlights, we can’t wait to share this journey with you. Let’s make this a celebration to remember!
With impactful programs like JA Job Shadow to innovative local initiatives like JA StartUP, we’re empowering students to dream big and achieve their goals. This year, as we reach 1 million students, we’re also setting the stage for the next million. With your support, we can expand opportunities across Southeast Louisiana and Mississippi, ensuring every young person has the tools to succeed.
Be part of this historic moment. Donate, volunteer, or partner with us today and help us empower the next generation of leaders, entrepreneurs, and innovators.
Let’s make 2025 a year to remember!
With gratitude,
LARRY WASHINGTON
President
70 Years, 1 Million Journeys
70 Years: A Legacy of Resilience, Adapting, and Empowering Generations
Since its founding in 1955 in the boardroom of Whitney Bank, Junior Achievement of Greater New Orleans (JA) has been dedicated to equipping young people with the tools for financial independence and entrepreneurial success. Inspired by similar programs across the U.S., local civic leaders Percival Stern and Marion "Hoss" Kessler sought to bring this innovative educational initiative to the Crescent City. From small classrooms to large-scale experiential learning centers, JA has grown into a vital resource for students across Southeast Louisiana.
In 2005, Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans, flooding JA’s facilities and creating uncertainty about the future. Despite the destruction, staff reconvened just one month later, driven by a mission to rebuild. By December of 2005, the first volunteer-led JA classes had resumed.
Thanks to the support of our community in the years after the storm, JA Exchange City, destroyed by flood waters, was redeveloped and rebranded as JA BizTown—a vibrant, hands-on learning environment where students take on roles as business leaders and citizens in a simulated economy.
When the COVID-19 pandemic struck in 2020, JA once again adapted by launching virtual programming. This ensured continued education in financial literacy, work readiness, and entrepreneurship.
Today, our organization remains resilient, innovative, and committed to preparing youth for an ever-changing world.
THE NEW ERA OF JA!
Junior Achievement of Greater New Orleans has consistently evolved to meet the needs of the next generation, offering dynamic and experiential programs that equip students with critical life skills. Through partnerships and innovative learning models, JA empowers students to explore careers, develop entrepreneurial thinking, and gain essential financial literacy skills.
JA’s 21st Century Programs Drive Systemic Change Through Experiential Learning
The following programs empower students with real-world skills to break barriers and build brighter futures:
JA BizTown: Growing Future Leaders and Entrepreneurs
Imagine a place where elementary students take on adult roles for the day, running businesses, managing finances, and making real-world decisions. At JA BizTown, students connect classroom lessons to practical life experiences as they explore financial literacy, work readiness, and entrepreneurship in an engaging, hands-on environment. Designed for students in grades 4–6, JA BizTown brings education to life, sparking creativity and ambition while building essential life skills.
Trust Your Crazy Ideas Challenge: Pioneering a New Era of Innovators
Did you ever have a “crazy” idea? For over 10 years, the Brees Dream Foundation and Junior Achievement have been fostering the next generation of innovators and change-makers. This shark tank-like high school entrepreneurial competition encourages high school students to pitch creative business ideas. Participants gain mentorship, business planning experience, and the opportunity to win scholarships.
Future Connect: Work Readiness Education Focused on Economic Mobility
How can students know what they want to be when they grow up if they don’t know what is possible? Through Future Connect, YouthForce NOLA and Junior Achievement partner with local business leaders and industry experts to strengthen and reimagine the high school experience for the next generation. Launched in 2016, Future Connect offers career exploration and work readiness training. Students engage with industry professionals and discover career pathways in high-wage, high-demand fields, aligning education with real-world opportunities. Additionally, each year, over 2,000 high school students attend the Career Expo to engage with 75+ regional businesses.
Next Stop: Empowering the Next Million Youth!
Building on its strong foundation, Junior Achievement is reaching new horizons by extending its programs and geographic impact. These strategic initiatives are designed to foster innovation, entrepreneurship, and STEM readiness, positioning students for success in a global economy.
Beyond K-12: Unlocking Opportunities for Older Youth to Build Financially Secure Futures
Junior Achievement of Greater New Orleans is expanding its reach with the post-secondary Initiative, a series of programs aimed at equipping older youth up to age 25 with vital financial literacy, entrepreneurship, and work readiness skills. Recently, JA partnered with local institutions to deliver financial education series that prepare participants for the financial challenges of adulthood.
JA StartUP: Supporting Young Innovators to Turn Creativity into Sustainable Business Ventures
JA is shining a light on entrepreneurs of necessity to help inspire the next generation of young innovators and creatives whose work exemplifies the rich cultural heritage of our city. JA StartUP will help these young culture bearers learn how to sustain their businesses, create a strong business model, and ultimately, pitch their ideas to a panel of mentors committed to helping them succeed. Our mentors will award up to $25,000 and will commit to mentoring the winning team to help them reach the next level!
Financial Literacy for Louisiana: Building a Future of Economic Empowerment
Starting with the 2028 graduating class, all high school students must complete a course in Financial Literacy to ensure TOPS eligibility. JA has developed a comprehensive curriculum, Financial Literacy for Louisiana, designed to equip students with essential financial skills and to align with the newly implemented Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE) guidance for course content.
New Horizons in Mississippi: Revitalizing Communities Through Education and Opportunity
In 2023, JA of Greater New Orleans expanded to serve 29 counties across South Mississippi, a region that has not had access to JA programs since Hurricane Katrina. This marks a significant milestone in bringing life-changing programs to a broader audience.
