NJGAKAD’s Founder Jackie Atkins was presented with the prestigious 2024 ATHENA award on Friday, November 8 by the Monmouth Regional Chamber of Commerce in a moment that perfectly captured the spirit of breaking barriers and building dreams This award resonates through the dedicated community at Gleason’s Gym Jersey Shore, where countless young lives are transformed daily through the discipline of boxing and mentorship.
The ATHENA Leadership Award isn’t just another accolade – it’s a testament to those rare individuals who don’t just climb the ladder of success but build new ones for others to follow. It celebrates leaders who turn their professional triumphs into community transformations, and Coach Jackie embodies this spirit in every punch thrown and every life touched through her work.
Among a constellation of remarkable nominees including Tracy Abby-White (Brookdale Community College), Bonnie Featherstone-Johnson (Non-Profit Volunteer), Dr. Jackeline Mejias-Fuertes (America’s SBDC NJ at Brookdale CC), and Michele Siekerka Esq (NJ Business Industry Association), Jackie’s selection shines a spotlight on the powerful impact of combining athletic discipline with community service. These women represent the best of leadership in action, each carving unique paths of inspiration in their respective fields.
The nomination itself is a tremendous honor, and it builds upon Jackie’s impressive legacy of accolades, including the 2018 Dowling Child Advocacy Award from the State of New Jersey and a State Resolution recognition from Senator Vin Gopal in 2022. After an illustrious 28-year career as Executive Director of Research & Development at AT&T Bell Labs/Avaya, Jackie chose to dedicate herself fully to her true passion – elevating and educating youth through sports and academics.
As the founder of New Jersey Give a Kid a Dream (NJGAKAD), Jackie has pioneered a comprehensive ‘Champions of Life’ program that transcends traditional boxing training. This innovative initiative seamlessly integrates Olympic-style boxing with academic support, mentoring, and essential life skills development. Her unique approach, which combines the discipline of boxing with character building, has been particularly impactful for at-risk youth from underserved communities.
Jackie’s commitment to empowering young women led her to create the “Girls in Gloves” program, which teaches everything from self-defense to self-love. This initiative particularly resonates with her journey as a champion athlete – she’s a Women’s National Golden Gloves title holder, Two-time Ringside World Champion, and former NJ Kickboxing Amateur champion. She also made history by paving the way for women’s boxing at West Point, where she led the team to consecutive USIBA National Collegiate Championships in 2013 and 2014.
Day in and day out, Coach Jackie devotes her time and passion to serving others, especially our youth. She has created an environment at Gleason’s Gym Jersey Shore that promotes confident thinking from an incredibly young age, coaching children as young as five in the life skills needed to succeed. The program operates daily, serving two age groups—under 12 and 12-18—providing boxing training, homework assistance, mental health support, and crucial life skills development.
The ATHENA award is a testament to Jackie’s profound impact on her community and living proof that making an impactful difference is more than attainable with dedication, heart, and a strong support team. Her journey from tech executive to champion athlete to transformative community leader exemplifies the spirit of the ATHENA award and continues to inspire both youth and adults alike.