Junior Achievement’s 36th annual Business Hall of Fame on May 5 will honor Bill Brougher with the Laureate Award, Kore 4 Konnection as the Entrepreneurial Business of the Year, Karlos L. Marshall with the Spotlight Award and Lisa Jackman with the Impact Award.
Three Springfield community leaders and one business will be honored during Junior Achievement’s 36th annual Hall of Fame.
The event will be held Tuesday, May 5, with the opening reception at 5:30 p.m. and awards ceremony at 6:15 p.m., at the Hollenbeck Bayley Creative Arts and Conference Center, 275 S. Limestone St.
“(The event) recognizes outstanding business leaders and community changemakers whose achievements exemplify entrepreneurship, leadership and a commitment to preparing young people for success,” said Crystal Steiner, district director for Junior Achievement of Mad River Region.
This year’s honorees include Bill Brougher for the Laureate Award, Kore 4 Konnection as the Entrepreneurial Business of the Year, Karlos L. Marshall of the Spotlight Award and Lisa Jackman for the Impact Award.
Bill Brougher. CONTRIBUTED
Bill Brougher
Bill Brougher — Laureate AwardBrougher, a lifelong Springfield resident, will be honored for a career of business growth, innovation and community leadership.
He began his career in a management training program with Bank One in Columbus, spent 26 years with his family’s business, Eagle Tool and Machine Company, and served in several leadership roles including quality control manager, vice president of manufacturing and presidents.
After the sale of Eagle to Héroux-Devtek in 2010, he continued as vice president of operations for HDI Landing Gear USA for three years, and later working nine years with Valco Industries.
Brougher held leadership roles with the Héroux-Devtek YMCA, Clark State Foundation, Springfield Foundation, Springfield Rotary Club, Ridgewood School board, Springfield (Ferncliff) cemetery Board, Springfield City Schools Business Advisory Council and High Street Methodist Church.
He earned his bachelor of business administration from Emory University and an MBA from The Ohio State University.
Kore 4 Konnection, LLC, owners (from left to right) Vernon Bass, Sunna Bass, Nettie Carter Smith and Jamel Smith. CONTRIBUTED
Kore 4 Konnection
Kore 4 Konnection — Entrepreneurial Business of the YearKore 4, owned by Vernon Bass, Sunna Bass, Jamel Smith and Nettie Carter Smith, will be honored for its entrepreneurial leadership and community impact.
The four operate Kore 4 Soul Kitchen food truck and Kore @ 608 event space, ventures that “reflect a shared commitment to culture, community connection and neighborhood revitalization,” Steiner said.
In 2015, the owners founded the Bass-Smith Connection, a nonprofit organization dedicated to mentoring youth, awarding scholarships and fostering leadership development through community engagement and service.
Together they have a mission to serve, uplift and invest in the community through business ownership, mentorship and meaningful civic engagement.
Karlos L. Marshall is the co-founder and co-executive director of the Conscious Connect CDC. CONTRIBUTED
Karlos L. Marshall
Karlos L. Marshall — Spotlight AwardMarshall, co-founder and co-executive director of the Conscious Connect CDC, will be honored for his work in literacy, urban planning and community development.
He is an internationally award-winning social entrepreneur, literacy advocate and urban planner, and specializes in cultivating collective-impact strategies between the public and private sector.
Marshall was named as one of Forbes 30 Under 30 in 2018 for his work addressing urban book deserts and as one of the International Literacy Association 30 Under 30 in 2019. That same year the Conscious Connect received a Library of Congress Literacy Award, the first time an Ohio organization and a Black-funded nonprofit received this distinction.
His work includes advancing park equity through doctoral research, developing neighborhood pocket parks in Springfield and Dayton, establishing Black Business Month celebrations and helping secure three Ohio Historical Markers honoring local Black history. He graduated from the Springfield City School District.
Lisa Jackman is a broker-owner of Buckeye Realty Group in London. CONTRIBUTED
Lisa Jackman
Lisa Jackman — Impact AwardJackman, a broker-owner of Buckeye Realty Group in London that’s been a licensed realtor since 1997, is a longtime Junior Achievement volunteer.
She volunteers with Meals of Wheels, The Rhythm & Rib Fest, Cypress Church and 4-H as an advisor and camp volunteer, and serves on London City Council.
“Jackman has taught numerous JA classes over the years, helping students build essential skills in financial literacy, work readiness and entrepreneurship. Her dedication to service, education and mentorship exemplifies the spirit of (this award,” Steiner said.
A Clark County native, she is a Northeastern High School graduate and earned a bachelor’s degree from Ohio University.
Tickets and sponsorship opportunities are available at https://tinyurl.com/5n34tezw.
Junior Achievement is a nonprofit organization dedicated to inspiring and preparing young people to succeed through programs focused on financial literacy, work readiness and entrepreneurship.