Community Partners Help Launch Central Piedmont’s “Accelerate to Success” Program for 25 CMS Students

  • Rising CMS seniors can take 14 credit hours of automotive classes 

  • Funding provided by Bissell Ballantyne Legacy Foundation, Faison Enterprises, and The Merancas Foundation, in partnership with the Charlotte ToolBank 

  • Program offers weekly financial supplement, free toolkit, and more 

This summer, Central Piedmont Community College will launch “Accelerate to Success,” a new program that gives 25 rising seniors from Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools the chance to take advanced automotive classes and earn a 14-credit College & Career Promise Certification, fast-tracking them toward a career in the automotive industry. 

The program is made possible with funding from Bissell Ballantyne Legacy Foundation, Faison Enterprises, and The Merancas Foundation. The classes will take place at the Hendrick Center for Automotive Technology, located at Central Piedmont’s Levine Campus in Matthews.  

In addition to covering the cost of the courses, the funding will provide students with a daily lunch, a weekly financial supplement, and transportation coverage. Central Piedmont is partnering with the Charlotte ToolBank to equip each graduate of this program with a professional automotive toolkit, empowering them to confidently transition from classroom to career with the tools they need to succeed. 

“We are incredibly grateful to our generous donors for making this program possible,” said Christopher Facente, Central Piedmont’s dean of skilled trades and transportation. “This is a one-of-a-kind opportunity that gives high school students a real head start in the automotive industry through college-level coursework and hands-on experience. This initiative reflects our commitment to innovation in education and our belief in the potential of every student." 

The program runs Mondays-Thursdays from June 16-July 31, and classes offered include Intro to Transportation, PC Skills for Transportation, Basic Electrical Systems, and Climate Control Systems. 

About Central Piedmont 

Central Piedmont Community College is highly accessible and convenient to people of all ages who seek a real-world, affordable, hands-on education that will transform their lives and strengthen the economic, social, and cultural environment of Mecklenburg County. Central Piedmont is also a smart investment. At a fraction of the cost, students learn by doing, receiving a combination of technical and soft skills training from quality faculty who prepare them to enter the workforce and make a difference in their family, business, community, and world. Founded in 1963, Central Piedmont Community College has eight locations throughout Mecklenburg County, offering nearly 300-degree, diploma, and certification programs; customized corporate training; market-focused continuing education; and special interest classes. For more information, visit cpcc.edu, or connect with the college on social media at cpcc.edu/social. 

About Bissell Ballantyne Legacy Foundation 

Established in 2023 by Margaret and Smoky Bissell, the Bissell Ballantyne Legacy Foundation's mission is to invest in innovative ideas and bold leadership to drive positive outcomes in Health, Human Services, and Education across the greater Charlotte region.  

BBLF is self-directed and has elected to deeply invest in organizations that will contribute to Charlotte's success. 

About Faison Enterprises 

Faison Enterprises, Inc. was founded in 1988 by Henry J. Faison.  His vision was to create a firm that focused primarily on real estate investing, but above all to be a good corporate citizen. The firm’s mission is to honor the legacy of Mr. Faison by partnering with nonprofits on transformative initiatives. This program at Central Piedmont fulfills one of the firm’s objectives in promoting career and workforce readiness. For more information, please see www.faison.com 

About The Merancas Foundation 

The Merancas Foundation supports local nonprofits that provide opportunities to improve the lives of individuals and families experiencing economic hardship. 

About Charlotte ToolBank 

We are a nonprofit tool lending program that provides charitable organizations with year-round access to our inventory of tools for use in their volunteer projects, facility and grounds maintenance as well as special events. We provide tools to enhance the charitable sector’s capacity to serve, facilitating hands-on volunteerism in the greater Charlotte area. 

The Charlotte ToolBank maintains an 8,000 sq ft warehouse in South End and an inventory comprised of more than 358 different types of tools and special event equipment in volumes large enough to equip thousands of volunteers at a time. Access to ToolBank tools eliminates the need for agencies to incur the expense of purchasing, repairing and storing tools, reducing the costs associated with service projects and allowing these agencies to focus more of their resources on their mission. 

About Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools 

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools (CMS) strives to create an innovative, inclusive, student-centered environment that supports the development of independent learners. CMS leads the community in educational excellence, inspiring intellectual curiosity, creativity and achievement so that all students reach their full potential (C-M Board of Education, 2018). 

CMS is the 16th-largest school district in the nation, providing academic instruction, rigor and support each school day for more than 141,000 students in kindergarten through 12th grade. The district operates 186 schools throughout Mecklenburg County from its central offices in Charlotte, N.C. CMS believes setting high standards for all students creates greater opportunity for their future success – in our communities, the region and across the globe. As a result, CMS students are prepared to be leaders in a technologically savvy and competitive world.