Arc Broward “InspHired” Honors Business Leaders, Individuals With Disabilities For Advancing A More Inclusive Broward Workforce

“Not only is hiring people with disabilities the right thing to do, it’s also good for business. Inclusive workplaces drive innovation, increase employee engagement, enhance reputation and reduce turnover,” said Julie Price, Arc Broward President and CEO. “This year’s InspHired honorees prove that when we break down barriers, we create meaningful opportunities and a future where everyone has the chance to thrive.”

Amerant Bank Arena was honored as the UKG Employer Partner of the Year for having built a workplace where Arc Works participants are seen, supported and truly valued. The arena has set the bar for true partnership, hiring more than 17 Arc Works participants and helping members of the first Arc Educates culinary cohort to secure jobs prior to graduation.

Zhyon Thomas received this year’s Mary N. Porter Student Chef of the Year Award. A graduate of the Arc Educates entry-level Culinary Arts Certificate Program, he put his newly honed culinary skills to work in the kitchen at The Capital Grille in Fort Lauderdale and was quickly promoted to serve as a prep cook and on the sauté station. His leadership and chef skills shined when Arc Culinary hosted Fleet Week Galley Wars earlier this year, during which Thomas led his team to a first-place win, beating out teams led by U.S. Navy chefs.

Mohammad Ali Khwaja was honored as the Moss Foundation Student Leader of the Year. Having joined the Transition Services program in 2023, Khwaja was recognized for his confident and compassionate leadership. He was commended for warmly welcoming new students, supporting his peers and proudly representing the program during visits from partners and funders. This past summer, he completed his first internship at Burger King.

The Arc Works Participant of the Year Award went to James Kerrigan, now a trusted member of the warehouse team at Amerant Bank Arena, who helps train new hires and leads by example.

Also honored this year: Workforce Services Volunteer of the Year, Centennial Bank; BAC Leadership Award, Corey Feldman; Arc Educates Training Site of the Year, Cintas; and Transition Services Training Site of the Year, Dunkin’.

The InspHired Awards highlight Arc Broward’s continuum of education, training and workforce services, including: Youth Links, which prepares students ages 15 to 21 for post-secondary education, training and work; School of Hire, which builds career skills, community-based learning opportunities and independent living for adults ages 18 to 22; post-secondary certificate programs in Culinary Arts, Animal Care, Material Handling and, coming soon, Healthcare Operations; and workforce solutions to support and connect job seekers who are ready for employment with employers who need dedicated, skilled workers.

This year’s InspHired event featured a reverse job fair, where prospective employers could meet and mingle with students and job candidates, collect resumes and get to know all they have to offer.

The 2025 InspHired Luncheon was presented by UKG and sponsored by: Amazon, Memorial Healthcare System, Universal Property, Dickinson Wright & Mayersohn Family, Granvita Realty Group, Cintas, Centennial Bank, Publix, Wealth Family Protection, Holman, Banesco, BBX Capital, National Jets, Broten, Miller Construction Company, FPL, Dr. Jo Ann M. Bamdas, Daoud’s Fine Jewelry, Park Shore Pharmacon, JKARE, Panza Maurer, AB7 America, Modern Luxury, South Florida Business & Wealth, Lifestyle Media Group, City & Shore, New Pelican, Marsh MClennan, AK Building Services Commercial Cleaning, ECR Graphics & Printing, Minds Eye Photos by Alan Goldberg, Fun Click Photo Booth, Niroc Consultants Inc. and Best Roofing.

To register for a campus tour or attend a meeting of the Business Advisory Council, please call: (954) 746-9400. To learn more about Arc Broward’s programs and services, please visit: https://arcbroward.com.