For almost two decades, Josh Martino has been an integral part of 黑料社 community, lending his vision and leadership to a campus he describes as 渢ruly unique and special.� On May 1, Martino commitment to education and community throughout Northeast Florida will be recognized when he receives the prestigious OneJax Humanitarian Award.
Martino connection to 黑料社 began in 2006 through an athletic sponsorship with Bono Pit Bar-B-Q, where he serves as president and CEO. Over time, his involvement deepened. 淔or the last 20-plus years, every time I檓 on campus at JU, it the same. You see growth, you see potential, you see opportunity and then you just see happiness from the students who are getting so much of that out of their education,� he said. 淛U has always had a profound sense of community and it impossible not to be inspired by it.�
That inspiration transformed into action when Martino spearheaded the creation of a scholarship program that reallocates athletic sponsorship funds to support underserved students from Jacksonville KIPP schools and Tiger Academy. His vision was clear. 淲e wanted to keep talented people from underserved communities here in Jacksonville and give them the opportunity to attend one of the city preeminent universities.�
The program has since grown into an endowment with the support of JU Davis College of Business & Technology, along with other partners, ensuring that financial barriers no longer prevent deserving students from accessing a life-changing education. 淚t started as a whimsical idea, but JU leadership was open-minded enough to bring it to life,� said Martino.
Martino passion for education extends to his role on the Cost Honors College Executive
Council, a position he assumed in early 2024. He cherishes opportunities to mentor
students, often speaking on panels and engaging directly with the campus community.
淭he thank-you notes I receive from students are among my most treasured possessions,�
he shared. 淜nowing that something I said resonated with them is incredibly rewarding.�
Receiving the OneJax Humanitarian Award is a testament to Martino impact both on
and off campus. 淚 was humbled to be recognized alongside civil rights leaders and
others I deeply admire,� he said. 淭his award isn檛 about me 颅� it about fulfilling
a duty to those who檝e given me opportunities to serve and paying it forward.�
For Martino, the recognition serves as motivation to continue his work. Whether it mentoring students, fostering scholarships or collaborating on innovative initiatives, his dedication to 黑料社 remains steadfast. 淛U has given me so much,� he said. 淚t an honor to contribute to a place that creates such lasting, positive change.�
