Job Corps Inducts 2024 Hall of Fame Class at Leadership Summit Event

WASHINGTON (Aug. 20, 2024) – As Job Corps celebrates its 60th anniversary on August 20th, the program honored seven new Hall of Fame recipients.

Tyrone Johnson from the Mississippi Job Corps Center received the Hall of Fame award during a ceremony held during the Job Corps Leadership Summit last week, the culmination of a yearlong anniversary celebration.

Johnson owns Prosperity Construction and founded Meridian Art, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing opportunities in art, music and filmmaking for young individuals. After graduating from Mississippi Job Corps Center in 2006, Johnson served 10 years in the United States Air Force, where he was awarded the Air Force Achievement Medal. He later served as a city councilman for the City of Meridian, Miss. Johnson earned a Master of Arts degree in business administration and is currently working on his Ph.D. in public policy and administration.

“I am grateful for the skills I gained during my time at the Mississippi Job Corps Center. They have given me a second chance and enabled me to make meaningful contributions to my community and beyond,” Johnson said. “My journey from Job Corps to where I am today reflects my deep passion for education, service, business and leadership, all of which began by seizing the opportunities offered by Job Corps.”

The Hall of Fame award honors a Job Corps graduate with five-plus years of career experience who has obtained exceptional employment-related achievements. Johnson was one of seven recipients honored during the ceremony, which included awards for Hall of Fame, Successful Graduate, Staff Motivator of the Year and Rising Star.

The Leadership Summit event, held from Aug. 13–15 in Washington, D.C., brought together 245 students and staff from more than 120 campuses nationwide to celebrate the 60th anniversary, meet with government leaders, develop their leadership skills and tour the nation’s capital.

“Every student, alumnus and staff member forms Job Corps’ legacy, proves the success of the program and paves the way for future students to thrive for the next six decades,” said Acting National Director of Job Corps Erin McGee. “All of the honorees epitomize Job Corps’ spirit. Our students are motivated to rise to challenges thrown at them and work hard to create a successful future for themselves.”

This month marks the 60th anniversary of Job Corps, the U.S. Department of Labor’s largest training program, serving more than 50,000 students a year. Since 1964, the program has trained and educated more than 3 million individuals. It currently offers training in more than 100 areas across 10 industries, providing valuable skills and career opportunities to young adults nationwide.

To learn more about Job Corps and its 60th anniversary, visit https://www.jobcorps.gov/60-anniversary.