Hillman and FC Cincinnati partner with Forever Kings and CityLink Center to Host Trade School Discovery Day for Cincinnati Public School Students
CINCINNATI, OH – The Hillman Group, a leading provider of hardware products and merchandising solutions, was proud to collaborate with FC Cincinnati, Forever Kings, and CityLink to host a “Trade School Discovery Day” for Cincinnati Public School students. The event was designed to introduce Cincinnati youth to meaningful career pathways and provide valuable connections with industry professionals across a variety of trades.
Working closely with Cincinnati Public Schools, FCC engaged 50+ juniors and seniors in the event. Hosted at TQL Stadium, the day began with opening remarks from Forever Kings, one of Hillman’s established community partners, setting the tone by emphasizing the importance of career readiness and community investment. After the welcome, students participated in focused breakout sessions led by trade-industry experts, Hillman and CityLink Center, a community partner of FC Cincinnati. Students explored:
- A construction industry session presented by Hillman
- An automotive session presented by CityLink Center and ChangingGears
- A culinary session presented by CityLink Culinary Training
- A medical industry session presented by CityLink and Making a Change Cincy
“Our goal at Hillman has always been about more than business—it’s about building stronger communities and creating meaningful opportunities,” said Lauren Edwards, Vice President of Marketing at The Hillman Group. “Through our partnership with FC Cincinnati and Forever Kings, we’re proud to help open doors for hardworking students, introducing them to rewarding trade careers and the people who bring those paths to life. When students see what’s possible firsthand, their future starts to feel within reach.”
“Since the club’s founding in 2015, FC Cincinnati has remained deeply committed to giving back and lifting up our community, and that starts with the next generation of fans, players and professionals across the region,” said Jeff Berding, President & Co-CEO, FC Cincinnati. “We were thrilled to partner with Hillman and Forever Kings to deliver experiences that connect our youth to a potential path forward.”
About Hillman
Hillman Solutions Corp. (“Hillman”) is a leading provider of hardware-related products and solutions to home improvement, hardware, and farm and fleet retailers across North America. Renowned for its commitment to customer service, Hillman has differentiated itself with its competitive moat built on direct-to-store shipping, a dedicated in-store sales and service team of over 1,200 professionals, and over 60 years of product and industry experience. Hillman’s extensive portfolio includes hardware solutions (fasteners, screws, nuts and bolts), protective solutions (work gloves, jobsite storage and protective gear), and robotic and digital solutions (key duplication and tag engraving). Leveraging its world-class distribution network, Hillman regularly earns vendor of the year recognition from top customers. For more information on Hillman, visit www.hillman.com.
About FC Cincinnati
FC Cincinnati is a Major League Soccer team playing at TQL Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio. The club’s diverse ownership group is led by controlling owner Carl H. Lindner III; as well as managing owners Meg Whitman and Dr. Griff Harsh; Scott Farmer; and George Joseph. Founded in 2015 by Lindner and President & Co-CEO Jeff Berding, FCC began play in the United Soccer League (USL) in 2016. The club won the 2018 USL Regular-Season Championship and earned postseason berths in all three of its USL seasons. In 2017, FC Cincinnati also advanced to the semifinals of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, a run that included victories over two MLS squads. FC Cincinnati entered MLS as the 24th team in 2019 and opened the club’s 26,000-seat soccer-specific TQL Stadium in the West End neighborhood of Cincinnati in 2021. FCC won the 2023 Supporters’ Shield – the annual award given to the team with the most points in the regular season – and clinched a spot in the 2025 MLS Cup Playoffs for the fourth straight year.
FCC have been recognized locally and nationally as one of Sports Business Journal’s Best Places to Work in Sports 2023, named to the Honor List as one of “75 Great Sports Companies to Call Home.”; on the Business Courier’s Fast 55 as one of Greater Cincinnati’s fastest growing private companies; and named to The Enquirer’s Top Workplaces 2024.
