When students at the Friendship Woodridge International Public Charter School asked, what is a supply chain and how are taxes calculated, they were met by 39 Howard University School of Business students. These students explained concepts of business and economics to them using the Junior Achievement® (JA) curriculum and their own experience and training as business students at one of the nation’s premier universities.
These students, who are all a part of the School of Business Executive Leadership Honors and 21st Century Advantage Programs, helped launch a new partnership between the School of Business and JA to connect business concepts and practice within and beyond the classroom.
Teaching the “JA in a Day” curriculum to over 400 kindergarten through eighth graders in 19 different classrooms, the Howard University (HU) students inspired, engaged, and connected
with youth who aspire to learn and lead.
HU student Auriana Hollister remarked, “meeting a group of students who are so developed and invested in their futures," inspired her even as she served. The curriculum guided youth in puzzles, games, and other interactive tools to teach youth about different aspects of business.The business curriculum came to life as students recalled classroom concepts and integrated them into their discussions with the youth.
As sixth graders asked questions about loans, HU sophomore Treelat Xue explained debt, leveraging while student Sadia Islam walked around a second grade classroom to disappointed faces as she collected taxes.
This service learning initiative allowed Howard University students to connect their academic training with real life scenarios and to help prepare the next generation of business and civic leaders.
Additional programs, including a visit to the JA Finance Park, are being planned as Howard University’s School of Business and Junior Achievement agree to bring financial literacy and business skills to as many youth as possible. For more information, contact the School of Business Office of Special Programs (202-806-1663, Kanika.magee@howard.edu) or Junior Achievement (202-777-4476, jason.tenuta@ja.org).