CMS Superintendent Dr. Crystal Hill Joins Road to Hire Board to Strengthen Charlotte’s Workforce and Advance Economic Mobility
CHARLOTTE, NC — As Charlotte continues its push to become a national model for economic mobility, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools (CMS) Superintendent Dr. Crystal Hill has joined the Road to Hire Board of Directors, uniting the region’s largest public-school system with one of its most innovative career pathway programs.
Her appointment deepens collaboration between CMS and Road to Hire to help more students transition directly from high school into college and career pathways, a shared priority for both organizations and the city’s long-term workforce strategy.
“Every student deserves a future filled with endless possibilities, and Road to Hire is helping make that a reality. By deepening its commitment and expanding opportunities exclusively for Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, Road to Hire is giving our students the tools, confidence, and connections to dream bigger and achieve more,” said Dr. Hill. “This partnership reflects the heart of our Board of Education’s strategic plan and our promise that graduates will leave Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools enrolled, enlisted, or employed. I’m inspired by the leadership of Dr. Monique Perry-Graves and the long-term community commitment of Ric Elias and the Road to Hire team. Together, we’re shaping the economic mobility and vitality of Charlotte for generations to come.”
A Shared Mission for Charlotte’s Students
Founded in 2014 by Red Ventures CEO Ric Elias, Road to Hire helps young adults build the skills, confidence, and support needed to succeed in college and career. Through its High School Success program, the organization meets CMS students early in their education journey and stays with them through their first career milestone, typically six to eight years of ongoing support. This year, across its full spectrum of programs, Road to Hire is supporting nearly 1,700 young adults, reflecting its growing impact across Charlotte.
Instructors provide mentorship, technical training, and teach professionalism in primarily Title I CMS high schools, helping students learn life skills, navigate the college application process, earn scholarships and financial aid, and launch into high-potential careers. The program currently serves students at Garinger High School, Harding University High School, Julius L. Chambers High School, Phillip O. Berry Academy of Technology, West Charlotte High School, West Mecklenburg High School, and Hawthorne Academy of Health Sciences.
Road to Hire’s model, recently featured in a Kenan Institute of Private Enterprise report, exemplifies how education and employer partnerships can drive workforce development and upward mobility across North Carolina.
“Charlotte’s future depends on our ability to connect determination with opportunity,” said Ric Elias, Road to Hire Founder and Board Chair. “Education is the cornerstone of progress. With Dr. Hill’s perspective and experience, we’ll be better equipped to build pathways and partnerships that transform the lives of every young person we serve.”
Dr. Monique Perry-Graves, CEO of Road to Hire, added: “Dr. Hill’s partnership represents a major step forward in our shared vision for Charlotte, a city where every determined young person has access to economic mobility and meaningful success. As an educator and community leader, she brings deep insight into the challenges and potential of CMS students. Our work helps young people turn potential into progress by unlocking their purpose, talent, and future in this city.”
A Growing Coalition of Local Leaders
Dr. Hill joins a distinguished group of Charlotte leaders guiding Road to Hire’s mission of creating opportunity and impact. The Board includes Kieth Cockrell, President of Bank of America Charlotte; Danielle Frazier, Special Assistant to the City Manager for Workforce Development at the City of Charlotte; Erskine Bowles, President Emeritus, University of North Carolina; Former White House Chief of Staff and Former Administrator, Small Business Administration, and Ric Elias, Red Ventures CEO and Road to Hire Board Chair.
About Road to Hire
Road to Hire invests in the untapped potential of the next generation of leaders by breaking down barriers to career success. The organization provides continuous support from high school through early adulthood, primarily serving students in Title I schools, with a focus on building the skills, confidence, and opportunities needed to thrive. Since 2014, Road to Hire has served more than 3,300 young adults, awarded over $25 million in college scholarships, and helped more than 1,000 alumni launch sustainable, high-earning careers.