Dallas-based Cornbread Hustle, which offers “second-chance employment” for people with criminal records, has been acquired by TruRecruiting, a faith-based workforce solutions organization based in North Carolina that’s dedicated to creating employment pathways for underserved populations.
The acquisition combines two purpose-driven companies with a shared commitment to helping people overcome barriers to employment and develop sustainable careers, Cornbread Hustle said. Through its existing programs, TruRecruiting serves refugees, survivors of human trafficking, and young adults aging out of foster care. With the addition of Cornbread Hustle, the organization expands its impact to include individuals returning from incarceration.
“From day one,” Cornbread Hustle Founder and CEO Cheri Norris said, “Cornbread Hustle was built on the belief that a person’s worst mistake should not define the rest of their life.”
“Joining forces with TruRecruiting allows us to expand that mission alongside a team that shares our faith-centered commitment to serving people who have often been overlooked,” Norris added in a statement. “Together, we can create even more opportunities for transformation, restoration, and long-term success through meaningful employment.”
At the forefront of second-chance employment
Founded in 2016 by Norris, an entrepreneur and second-chance advocate, Cornbread Hustle has helped thousands of formerly incarcerated people find employers who recognize talent, potential, and character beyond a criminal record. The company said it has become a nationally respected voice in the second-chance employment movement, partnering with employers across the country to create opportunities for individuals seeking a fresh start.
In 2024, Cornbread Hustle produced an in-depth report on America’s growing labor shortage and how second-chance hiring can address this issue. It was based on over 40 research sources, as well as the company’s proprietary data on 2,500-plus employees and thousands of job applicants.
In 2021, Cornbread Hustle snagged the spotlight at United Way of Metropolitan Dallas’ fifth-annual The Pitch, winning all five score-based prizes, including Social Innovator of the Year, and receiving $145,000 in funding.
Expanding paths to economic mobility
As part of the acquisition, Cornbread Hustle will expand into Atlanta, Georgia; Raleigh, North Carolina; and Wichita, Kansas, joining forces with TruRecruiting’s established operations and broadening access to second-chance employment opportunities in new markets. Norris will remain actively involved in the organization, continuing to lead strategic growth initiatives, employer partnerships, brand development, and national expansion efforts.
“We’re honored to welcome Cornbread Hustle into the TruRecruiting family,” said Doug Dandurand, CEO of TruRecruiting. “Cheri has built an extraordinary organization with a proven track record of changing lives through employment. This partnership strengthens our ability to serve underserved populations and reinforces our belief that work is one of the most powerful tools for restoring dignity, stability, and hope.”
Together, the combined organization said it will continue serving employers nationwide while expanding programs designed to connect qualified candidates from underserved communities with meaningful career opportunities. The partnership highlights a shared vision of “creating pathways to economic mobility, restoring dignity through work, and demonstrating that every person deserves the opportunity to build a better future,” the companies said.
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