Press Release

Thursday, October 29, 2026

JACKSON, Tenn. - Sixteen students from eight local high schools have been selected for the sixth cohort of the Jackson Grown Leader Fellowship, a leadership development program that has connected nearly 100 students with mentors, experts and community leaders since its launch in 2021.

Above photo: Liberty Technology Magnet High School senior Tamar Bowers participates in the Jackson Grown Leader Fellowship, a nine-month leadership development program that equips students with critical thinking, communication and civic engagement skills through mentorship and hands-on learning experiences.

Simply put, Jackson Grown is professional development for teens, providing experiences, relationships, and insights that can have a lasting impact long after graduation.

Students meet monthly from September through May at theCo, participating in a nine-session curriculum focused on leadership, civic engagement and community problem-solving. Throughout the fellowship, students are paired with mentors and connected with a network of experts, coaches and community leaders who provide guidance, encouragement and real-world perspectives.

The program was founded by Jackson Central-Merry alumnus Jon Mark Walls, a former United Nations policy consultant, who envisioned a leadership experience built around the power of meaningful relationships.

"We started the program over lunch in 2021 with Superintendent Dr. Marlon King and AJ Massey, who was serving on the school board at the time," Walls said. "The idea for the program came as I was writing the Jackson Grown series for Our Jackson Home magazine. I spent a lot of time reflecting on my peers from my time in JMCSS and what moved them to take on challenges and adventures in life. I realized these were pretty normal people. I knew them then and I saw them now. The one common thread was that they had dedicated, smart, caring people who invested in their lives as students. I wanted to create a space for those kinds of great people to connect with some amazing students."

Walls said the fellowship was designed to create those same life-changing connections for today's students, bringing together mentors and community leaders committed to investing in the next generation.

Above photo: A collage of photos highlights various aspects of the Jackson Grown Leader Fellowship, where students engage with mentors, experts and community leaders throughout a nine-month leadership development experience.

"Jackson Grown provides students with opportunities to learn directly from accomplished leaders while challenging them to think critically about the future of their community," said JMCSS Superintendent Dr. Marlon King. "Our school counselors play an important role in supporting students throughout the fellowship, and I'm proud of our schools for embracing this unique mentorship opportunity."

The fellowship culminates each spring with the annual Challenge to the City, a signature event that brings together approximately 50 leaders from across Jackson and Madison County. During the event, students deliver eight-minute presentations that challenge community leaders to think critically about local issues and consider innovative approaches to strengthening the community.

As Jackson Grown enters its sixth year, organizers remain focused on the mission that inspired the program's creation: connecting exceptional students with exceptional mentors and empowering young people to become thoughtful, engaged leaders prepared to make a difference in Jackson and beyond.

Above photo: Participants in the 2025 Jackson Grown Leader Fellowship join community leaders to celebrate a $5,000 donation from the Leaders Education Foundation. The program transformed students from learners into active community participants and problem-solvers, culminating in presentations that challenged civic leaders to consider new perspectives on issues facing the community.

The Jackson Grown Leader Fellowship is made possible through partnerships with:

• Leaders Education Foundation
• Community Foundation of West Tennessee
• Jackson-Madison County School System
• University of Tennessee at Martin
• theCo and Adelsberger Media.

Above photo: JCM alumnus and former United Nations policy consultant Jon Mark Walls founded the Jackson Grown Leader Fellowship in 2020. Inspired by the influence mentors had on his own generation, Walls has helped connect students with community leaders while showcasing distinguished JMCSS alumni whose careers have made an impact locally, nationally and around the world. Click here to learn more.

JCM Early College High

Sean Dolan

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