Charrise Hollingsworth

Charrise Hollingsworth is a researcher at AIR, where she evaluates programs and initiatives related to thriving youth and adults. Her growing body of work focuses on youth workforce development, advancing equitable outcomes in K-12 education, promoting socioemotional wellness for students and teachers, and supporting AIR’s cross-disciplinary place-based initiatives. A former middle school educator, Dr. Hollingsworth’s interdisciplinary training in community psychology focuses on ecological approaches to social and community change, improving adolescent outcomes into adulthood, and participatory action research.

Currently, Dr. Hollingsworth serves as project director for the Justice Equity Fellowship, a 12-month part-time professional development experience for individuals directly impacted by the justice system. Funded by AIR’s Equity Initiative, the Justice Equity Fellowship will advance employment opportunities in research and technical assistance positions for individuals directly impacted by the justice system, in addition to advancing AIR’s organizational learning and development to create a more inclusive workforce.

Prior to AIR, Dr. Hollingsworth served as the first director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) in the Office of North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper, where she monitored DEI efforts across cabinet agencies. She also provided technical assistance to the Governor’s equity-related task forces focused on educator diversity, racial equity in the criminal justice system, and COVID-19 recovery efforts.