I’d like to congratulate our honorees, Dr. Roger Blackwell, Paula Inniss and Curtis Moody. All three display the type of entrepreneurial spirit, relentless drive and community leadership with which we are proud to be associated. They each set a great example for all of us in their passion and dedication to the future of Central Ohio.
Junior Achievement is the largest and fastest growing organization dedicated to teaching young people about business, economics and personal finance. Our programs teach the children of Central Ohio how to balance a checkbook, get a job and run a city. We explore the basics of personal finance, global economic issues and real-life small business risks. Each year, we reach approximately 30,000 students in Central Ohio, ranging from kindergarten to 12th grade.
JA is supporting two key initiatives: Exchange City and Urban Initiative. Exchange City is a six-week program that culminates in fifth/sixth graders running a true-to-life city for a day. The Urban Initiative is aimed at 7th to 12th grade students at risk of dropping out of school. Its focus is on the economic benefits of continued education and financial literature, with a goal of developing productive, responsible citizens.
I invite you not only to join us in congratulating our honorees, but also to join us in helping to create the business leaders of tomorrow. In the short run, our children will be better prepared for greater success on standardized tests. In the long run, they will be better prepared to create a stronger, more diverse economy for Central Ohio.
I look forward to working with the leaders of today to create the leaders of tomorrow.
RJ Nicolosi
Chairman of the board
Junior Achievement of Central Ohio
