JACKSON, Tenn. (February 9, 2026) –Leaders Education Foundation has announced EPlus Broadband as the presenting sponsor for EmpowerEd: An Evening with John O’Leary. Nominations for the EmpowerEd Educator Awards are now open.
"On behalf of Leaders Education Foundation, I want to express my gratitude for EPlus Broadband partnering with us to celebrate education in West Tennessee," said Leigh Anne Bentley, President of Leaders Education Foundation. "We greatly appreciate their support in raising awareness of our EmpowerEd initiative, which is dedicated to honoring educators and assisting students within our community."
EmpowerEd returns for its second year to support scholarships, educator grants, and education programs in West Tennessee. The Leaders Education Foundation will host a special evening on September 17, 2026, at the Carl Perkins Civic Center in Jackson, featuring John O’Leary—whose survival story inspired the 2025 film, Soul on Fire. O'Leary now shares his experiences and messages of hope.
During the event, five distinguished educators from West Tennessee will be recognized through the EmpowerEd Educator Awards. Nominations for these awards remain open until Saturday, March 28, and are evaluated according to the criteria outlined below:
Empowering Schools Award (1) –Presented to exemplary administrators or board members in a leadership role who exhibit outstanding leadership, foster meaningful community involvement, and demonstrate a strong commitment to cultivating a positive school culture.
Impacting Communities Award (1) –This award honors a volunteer who has shown commitment by supporting students, teachers, and schools through dedicated service.
Inspiring Students Award (3) –This award honors teachers and educational professionals who motivate students, encourage learning, and contribute to student achievement through commitment and creative practices. There are three award categories:
“The EmpowerEd Educator Awards give us a unique opportunity to celebrate the leaders who are making a difference in the lives of families and students in West Tennessee,” said Shea Brown, Director of Community Impact for Leaders Education Foundation. “Last year, we had a great lineup of educators who dedicated their time and talents to improving education and helping their students. We’re looking forward to seeing who will be nominated this year!”
Nominate someone for the EmpowerEd Educator Awards and find event details, table reservations, and sponsorship info at leadersgives.org/events for EmpowerEd: An Evening with John O’Leary.
About EPlus Broadband
EPlus Broadband is the telecommunications division of Jackson Energy Authority, a public utility company based in Jackson, Tennessee. They offer a variety of services to their customers, including cable TV, internet, and telephone. While EPlus Broadband serves customers in Jackson, it has been recognized nationally for its services and was the first Fiber-to-the-Home system in Tennessee.
About Leaders Education Foundation
Leaders Education Foundation is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization based in Jackson, Tenn., and established in 2019. The Foundation allows community-minded citizens, members, and organizations to unite to make lives better, together. It invests back into its community through scholarships, grants, and additional resources that provide educational opportunities and promote workforce development, lifelong learning, and training for students, teachers, and communities.
For more information about Leaders Education Foundation or to become a member and Give Forward, please visit their website, leadersgives.org.