JA and Delta launch Clayton County “Discovery Center” to help next gen careers take flight

Delta Air Lines and The Delta Air Lines Foundation, Junior Achievement (JA) of Georgia, and  Clayton County Public Schools are proud to announce the opening of the JA Delta Discovery Center of Clayton County, with a grand opening held earlier this month to showcase the newest JA of Georgia facility, which will impact 12,000-14,000 students annually.  

The newest JA of Georgia Discovery Center marks a significant expansion of educational opportunities and workforce readiness initiatives for students in the Clayton County region and introduces the Delta Dream Accelerator, a hands-on, interactive experience designed to help middle and high school students identify their strengths and interests while exploring future education and career paths. It is the first Dream Accelerator in Georgia with Delta planning to open four more in the U.S.   

The center’s naming recognizes Delta’s significant investment in Clayton County, a community in the airline’s backyard, and builds on Delta’s longstanding partnership with Junior Achievement, rooted in a shared belief that education and career exposure can transform students’ futures. 

“This partnership represents the power of community commitment to student success,” said John Hancock, President & CEO of Junior Achievement of Georgia. “Thanks to Delta, The Delta Air Lines Foundation, and Clayton County Public Schools, we will equip thousands of students annually with the knowledge, confidence, and tools to create brighter futures.”  

Located within the new Arena at Southlake in Morrow, Ga., the JA Delta Discovery Center of Clayton County will serve as the cornerstone of the larger 15-acre complex that includes an 8,000-seat arena for graduations, sports tournaments, conferences and concerts, as well as the district’s forthcoming College and Career Academy. 

“Through expanded partnerships, experiential learning, workforce development, and meaningful opportunities for students to learn and earn, we are building clear pathways and strong pipelines to success at every level,” said Dr. Douglas Hendrix Sr., Interim Superintendent/CEO of Clayton County Public Schools.  

This milestone underscores JA of Georgia’s steady growth. Since opening its first JA Discovery Center in 2013, JA has expanded across Georgia to reach more than half of all middle school students annually with its programs JA BizTown, which teaches students about running a business, and JA Finance Park, which introduces students to lessons in personal finance. The JA Delta Discovery Center of Clayton County is the seventh JA Discovery Center in Georgia.   

“Delta and The Delta Air Lines Foundation support the mission of Junior Achievement of Georgia to teach students financial literacy, business and career readiness and entrepreneurship,” said Tad Hutcheson, Senior Vice President of The Delta Air Lines Foundation. “We are thrilled to support JA in our own backyard of Clayton County, equipping the next generation of leaders, innovators, and changemakers with the skills to thrive and take on the world with purpose.”  

Delta partners with 32 JA chapters across five continents. Funding the JA Delta Discovery Center is just one of Delta and The Delta Air Lines Foundation’s commitments to invest more than $16.5 million in charitable giving to Clayton County, Georgia announced a year ago.