BOSTON, MASS. — The city of Richmond will continue to have a seat at the table when it comes to guiding the national conversation around Promise programs with the recent announcement that Richmond Promise Executive Director Christopher Whitmore has been named as one of six appointees to serve on the College Promise National Leadership Council.

The announcement came as part of the College Promise National Convening, which is being held from August 13-15 at One Financial Center in Boston. Whitmore will be joined on the Council by tnAchieves Executive Director Krissy DeAlejandro, Alamo Colleges District Chancellor Mike Flores, HOPE Toledo President and CEO Rev. John C. Jones, Lynchburg Beacon of Hope Executive Director Leidra McQueen and Say Yes to Education Buffalo Executive Director David Rust.

“Richmond Promise takes great pride in serving as a national leader when it comes to providing pathways for postsecondary access and success, and I am excited to continue to share the work we do daily in Richmond on a national stage,” Whitmore said. “Our relationship with College Promise has always provided a fantastic opportunity to learn from our colleagues across the country, and I am excited to deepen those ties and ultimately bring those lessons back home to Richmond for the benefit of young people across our city.”

College Promise is a national, non-partisan, non-profit initiative that builds broad public support for funding the first two or more years of postsecondary education for hard-working students, and ensuring those students have access to quality educational opportunities and supports. CEO Dr. Martha Kanter served previously as U.S. Under Secretary of Education, and is one of the country’s foremost leaders in education policy.

In College Promise’s announcement, Kanter stated, “The College Promise National Leadership Council represents the best of what the College Promise movement stands for—dedicated leaders who are committed to greater access and social mobility for all. Their experience and vision will guide us as we expand and enhance College Promise programs nationwide.”

The announcement marks the latest example of Richmond Promise’s commitment to shaping the national discussion around postsecondary access and success. In May of 2023, several Richmond Promise Scholars joined RP staff at the national CoPro 2.0 Conference held at Foothill College in Los Altos Hills, Calif. where they presented on the work being done to support Richmond students. 

Since its launch in 2016, Richmond Promise has supported more than 3,300 Richmond young people as they make their way to and through higher education. Richmond Promise currently serves more than 1,300 Scholars per year who are pursuing associate and bachelor degrees, and career technical education certifications, at over 200 colleges and universities across the United States. 92 percent of Richmond Promise scholars identify as people of color and/or indigenous, 64 percent are first-generation college students, and entering the 2024-25 school year, Richmond Promise has awarded over $10 million in scholarships to Richmond students.