Where are they now: Cameron Ray, the African-American teen who made history in 2019 graduating from college a year before finishing high school

Cameron Ray was a junior at Warrensville Heights High School in Ohio when he made history by becoming the youngest student from his district to graduate from Cuyahoga Community College. At just 17 years old, Cameron earned his associate degree in the arts and at the time said he planned to go on to study film directing at Cleveland State University.

Cameron’s achievement was as a result of Ohio’s dual enrollment program, College Credit Plus (CCP), which allowed students in grades 7 to 12 to earn college credits while still in high school. Cameron was in middle school when he started preparing to begin his college journey at Tri-C through CCP. He was one of seven students who graduated that semester through the program, which began in 2015 and has allowed thousands of high school students to attend Tri-C.

Through a collaboration with Tri-C, Warrensville Heights also had a dual credit program that allowed students to go to college at no cost to their families. This program saved Ohio families nearly $150 million in tuition for the 2017-2018 school year alone.

Cameron took classes at Tri-C alongside older students and when asked if that made him nervous, he replied that he learned that sometimes the best things in life can be scary, but it’s important to push oneself and get accustomed to new situations. Cameron is proud of his accomplishment and is excited to continue on his path of educational success.

Cameron Ray’s achievement of graduating from college before even finishing high school was an enormous feat that garnered a lot of media attention as the first person in his district to do so. He reminded people that with hard word and determination, anyone can achieve their goals, regardless of their age.

His accomplishment is reminiscent of the early educational success of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., who was admitted to Morehouse College at just 15 years old. Like Cameron, Dr. King’s early entry into college was a testament to his intelligence and determination, and he went on to become a leader and influential figure in the civil rights movement.

So what has been the young teen been up to since earning his college degree four years ago? According to his Linkedin profile, his most recent role was Project Manager for the National Black MBA Association, a role he started in September 2022.

He states in his profile, “I am a determined young man looking to put his stamp on the world. I am passionate about the business field, networking, and community service. My most important skills I possess are my ability to adapt to any environment and find my place in it. As well as being able to execute and handle heavy workloads. I am currently looking for internships and jobs to increase my work experience and have the opportunity to showcase my skills.”

Good for you Cameron. We are rooting for you!