JA IGNITE 2026: An Evening of Inspiration, Connection and Investing in the Future

On October 28, 2026, Junior Achievement of Southern California (JASoCal) welcomed business leaders, corporate partners, volunteers, educators, and friends to JA Ignite: Imagine Tomorrow Today—an evening dedicated to celebrating the power of education, opportunity, and the next generation of leaders.

Hosted at JASoCal’s headquarters and JA Finance Park in Los Angeles, JA Ignite offered guests an exclusive preview of the organization’s vision for the future, including the highly anticipated JA Dream Accelerator, alongside the experiential learning programs already helping thousands of young people build the skills and confidence to succeed.

More than a celebration, the evening was an opportunity to see firsthand how Junior Achievement is helping prepare students for economic mobility through financial literacy, career readiness, entrepreneurship, and real-world learning experiences.

Guests experienced several of the educational solutions that make Junior Achievement’s work so impactful, including:

• JA Dream Accelerator: Guests got a first look at the vision for JASoCal’s future JA Dream Accelerator, an innovative learning environment designed to connect students with hands-on experiences, career exploration, entrepreneurship, and the skills needed to navigate an evolving economy. The evening’s preview offered a glimpse of what is to come when the new space opens in Fall 2027. WATCH THE JA DREAM ACCELERATOR PREVIEW VIDEO from our friends at JA Georgia.
• 3DE by Junior Achievement: Through immersive, project-based learning and real-world business challenges, 3DE helps students connect classroom learning to the world beyond school. Guests heard directly from students about how these experiences are transforming the way they learn, collaborate, and envision their futures.
• JA Finance Park: An immersive financial literacy simulation where students experience real-life budgeting decisions, manage expenses, and discover the importance of financial responsibility.
• JA Finance Park Pop-Up: An extension of the JA Finance Park experience that brings hands-on financial education to even more students and communities.

These experiences represent the work happening throughout Southern California every day—often behind the scenes, but with an enormous impact on the more than 50,000 students JASoCal serves annually.

The Voices That Made the Evening Special

Some of the most memorable moments of JA Ignite came from the students and volunteers who bring the JA mission to life.

We were incredibly proud of our 3DE student speakers, Audrey, Lonnie, and Melzer, who generously shared their personal learning journeys and offered guests a firsthand look at the impact of experiential education. Their stories were a powerful reminder that behind every program, partnership, and investment is a young person discovering new possibilities for their future. Check them out in this video courtesy of Compton Unified School District.

We were also once again inspired by the heart and generosity of Donte Apperwhite, a dedicated JA volunteer and one of JASoCal’s biggest advocates. His commitment to our students and belief in the power of the JA mission embody the spirit of the JA community.

Investing in What’s Possible

The enthusiasm and generosity of everyone who joined us helped advance JASoCal’s mission and vision for the future.

Every contribution represents an investment in students’ futures—increased access to financial education, meaningful career exploration, entrepreneurial thinking, and the confidence to pursue opportunities they may never have imagined possible.

We are deeply grateful to everyone who attended, contributed, volunteered, and helped make JA Ignite such a meaningful evening.

Thank You to Our JA Ignite Sponsors

An evening like JA Ignite would not be possible without the extraordinary commitment of our corporate partners and sponsors. Their generosity helps make hands-on learning and life-changing educational experiences accessible to students throughout Southern California.

Presenting Sponsor

US Bank

Vision Sponsors

Cathay Bank | Fifth Third Bank | Delta Air Lines | PennyMac

Additional Corporate Support

Bank of America | Bank of Hope | Capital Group | CBRE | Corebridge | Deloitte | EY | First Entertainment Credit Union | RSM

Individual Sponsors

Bryant Davis | Ray Benaza | David Freitag | Jason Mosier |

Relive the Evening

The energy, conversations, student stories, and shared commitment to the future made JA Ignite a night to remember.

We invite you to revisit the evening, explore the photos, and share the experience with colleagues and friends.

VIEW THE JA IGNITE 2026 PHOTO GALLERY including step & repeat photos!

Thank you for being part of the JA community. We are excited about what lies ahead and look forward to continuing this work together.