The mission of the Richmond Promise is much bigger than one organization – to build a future where all children in Richmond have access to high-quality education, excel from high school to higher education, attain a postsecondary degree or certification, thrive in the field of their choice, and become a leader of positive change in their community and the world. This is why partnership is at the core of what we do. We build community-based pathways to ensure our students’ success, in partnership with West Contra Costa Unified School District (WCCUSD), the City of Richmond, Contra Costa College, Chevron, like-minded local nonprofits, our donors, and other colleges and universities to provide high-quality support to our students- from middle school through post-secondary degree attainment. Over the past two years, we have taken the time to thoughtfully and genuinely forge these partnerships so that our community remains at the core of our work.

This is why WCCUSD Superintendent and Richmond Promise Board Member, Matt Duffy, awarded Jessie Stewart, Executive Director of the Richmond Promise, the 2018 Partner of the Year award.  

On October 12, 2018, WCCUSD gathered their friends, district, city, and community leaders together to celebrate the strength and impact of our partnerships, celebrate the work we have done together, and look ahead to what work needs to be done to reach our goals. Alongside Jessie, other partners recognized were Teresa Barnett, Executive Director of Community Resources for Science, Bill Lindsay, former City Manager of Richmond and Richmond Promise Board Member, Susan Stark, CEO of Speech Pathology Group, and Tony Thurmond, California State Assemblymember, District 15.

Through a college scholarship, collaborative cross-sector partnerships, and supportive programming, the Richmond Promise aims to ensure all students in Richmond excel to and through higher education, reach their career goals, and become change-making leaders in the Richmond community. This mission would not be possible without collaboration with our programmatic partners, donors, and most of all, our Scholars, who we learn from constantly and inform our work to create a college going and community giving pipeline of home-grown leaders. Because of the strength of these relationships, we have been able to commit $5.4M to over 900 Richmond students to attend over 90 colleges and universities. But the work isn’t done. As a community, we reflected on the ways in which we need to continue growing student-centered and school-based supports. We are energized and inspired by the commitment to our students and their futures across the community. As Jessie said at the awards ceremony, “If the future of Richmond are the students of Richmond, then the future of Richmond is bright.”