Jonesboro, AR – (Contributed) – The Jonesboro Business Association (JBA) hosted its annual Youth Entrepreneurship Pitch Contest Friday at the PAC Auditorium, celebrating the creativity, collaboration and leadership of Jonesboro’s 9th grade students.

The event featured 12 student teams from MacArthur Junior High School, each presenting original business concepts before a panel of distinguished judges: Heather Walker Clark, Dr. Philip Tew, Alex Solonzaro, Bob Mohr and Mark Morrow. Teams had seven minutes to pitch their ideas, followed by a Q&A session with judges.

The program was emceed by Henry Burrell, Founder and Executive Director of JBA, with opening remarks by Burrell, introductions by Raji Uprety and closing reflections from Steve Etter and Maria Kirksey.

Building Workforce Readiness Through Entrepreneurship

The JBA Youth Entrepreneurship Program uses entrepreneurial learning as a tool to address the behavioral and public health factors that shape workforce readiness. Rather than focusing solely on business creation, the program teaches students to think like entrepreneurs—developing perseverance, adaptability, problem-solving skills and confidence.

“Workforce readiness and workforce development are often seen as the same thing—but they’re not,” Burrell said. “Readiness is about mindset, motivation and behavioral preparation. Development is about skill and technical advancement. We’re bridging the two by helping students develop the habits and self-efficacy that allow them to succeed in any workplace or academic path.”

Connecting Entrepreneurship to the Classroom

The JBA framework integrates entrepreneurship into core academic subjects, reinforcing the link between school success and lifelong achievement:

  • ELA (English Language Arts): Students craft persuasive business narratives and written plans.
  • Mathematics: Financial projections and budgeting apply real-world math skills.
  • Social Studies: Economic systems and civic engagement highlight community impact.
  • Oral Communication: Presentations and Q&A sessions build confidence and professionalism.

Through this model, students experience learning as relevant and empowering, transforming abstract lessons into applied skill-building.

Proven Impact on Grit, Growth & Behavior

According to JBA’s 2024–2025 Outcome Report, the program produced measurable gains across student cohorts:

  • 73.5% of students improved their GRIT scores, a proven predictor of academic and career resilience.
  • 52.6% reached “Very High GRIT”—outperforming national averages.
  • Students demonstrated stronger perseverance, problem-solving, and communication skills aligned with national workforce readiness benchmarks.

These outcomes align with behavioral and public health data in Craighead County, where stress, poverty and mental health challenges influence youth engagement and workforce participation. JBA’s approach, which combines mentorship, teamwork and structured routines, serves as both an academic intervention and a community health strategy.

A Community Effort for Future Readiness

The JBA Youth Entrepreneurship Program is made possible through partnerships with MacArthur Junior High School, local business leaders and community organizations dedicated to preparing students for success beyond school.

“Entrepreneurship gives students ownership of their learning,” said Steve Etter, JBA Partner and Educator. “When they see that their ideas matter, engagement rises. This is about much more than business. It’s about belonging and purpose.”

About the JBA

The Jonesboro Business Association is a community-based nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing youth entrepreneurship, workforce readiness, and community development across northeast Arkansas. Through programs like the Grit-to-Growth Pipeline and the Youth Entrepreneurship Pitch Contest, JBA connects education, behavioral health and economic opportunity to build a more resilient regional workforce.

For more information about JBA or partnership opportunities, click here or contact jonesboroba@gmail.com.