Junior Achievement of Memphis

Junior Achievement of Memphis and the Mid-South empowers children from across our region to be engaged members of their communities so that they may lead independent lives. We talked with Mary Kanowitz, Senior Development Manager, to learn more about this non-profit’s impact on Memphis and the surrounding area. 

Tell us about Junior Achievement of Memphis and the Mid-South. Why is the work you do important? 

We serve 25,000 students each year in 71 counties across the region in Tennessee, Mississippi, and Arkansas. Our three core areas of focus are financial literacy, work readiness, and entrepreneurship. The work we do is critical for both the students we serve and for our economy to thrive. As a testament to that, Junior Achievement graduates have a median household income that is 20% higher than the US median household income. More than 88% of our alums say they are satisfied with their careers compared to 49% of the general public. Also, JA alumni are 143% more likely to have started a business compared to the general public. In short, JA helps students achieve lives of choice and the careers of their dreams. We’re honored to be a part of making #EveryChildWorldReady.

How did Junior Achievement start? 

Junior Achievement of Memphis and the Mid-South began teaching students practical, real-world skills in 1955. We are the community’s oldest organization dedicated to providing young people with the tools necessary to succeed in a global economy. Soon, we will celebrate 70 years of encouraging students to dream big! Learn more (or let us know if you’re an alum) at www.jamemphis.org. 

Read the full article on I Love Memphis here.