JA Company Program Shapes the Life of an Alum

Author: Lina Bois
Work Readiness
Published: Friday, 04 Nov 2016

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A recent graduate of the JA Company Program named Alexander Walker-Griffin from Hercules, California shares how the impact of Junior Achievement shaped him into the young man he is today.

In addition to going to college, Alexander also helps the JA Northern California office with student recruitment for the program. He attributes his success to JA, specifically the JA Company Program and Herban Movement, the student company he participated in.

Under Hercules High School's Academy of Hospitality and International Tourism, the JA Company Program provided over 200 students with entrepreneurial experience. Herban Movement sold products such as Herban Dishes, a cookbook-encyclopedia hybrid written entirely by students. The company also worked on Project Gaia, a line of reusable multipurpose bags supporting California's ban on plastic bags. Portions of Herban Movement's profits were donated to the California Autism Foundation and to Free the Children.

In addition to attending college and helping out JA of Northern California, Alexander is running for a seat on the Hercules City Council, making him the youngest person running for office in the state of California.

Alexander says: "I am on a one way trip to achieving my dreams. For anyone who wants to be a part of something great, this is the thing for you. Junior Achievement will bring out the inner leader in all of us and will leave you with lifelong friends, connections in different careers, and more opportunities and memories that will last a lifetime. I can truly say I am a blessed person to be a part of such an amazing company!"