Olinda Figueredo currently attends the University of California, Berkeley and is a graduate of Kennedy High School. She will begin her second year at UC Berkeley in the fall of 2024, and she joined the Richmond Promise Summer Associate program in the summer of 2024.

Q: Tell us a little bit about yourself. Is there anything in particular that motivates you as you go through college and prepare yourself for a career?

My name is Olinda Figueredo and I am a rising second-year student at UC Berkeley planning on double majoring in sociology and ethnic studies. 

Being from Richmond is not easy. I grew up embarrassed of my city because of its reputation. Richmond was never described as a beautiful and enriching place. It was described as unsafe and “ghetto”. My goal since high school has been to change the way people think about the city I live in. My friends and I all grew up here and it is where we call home. I am a firm believer that you make the most out of your circumstances and you don’t have to settle for “being from Richmond”. My motivation is to change these stereotypes that exist about people who live in Richmond. I aspire to work with a college access program to help students from low-income communities have a smoother transition into high school.

Q: How has Richmond Promise played a role in your education?

Being from Richmond is one of my motivations. I use it as a reminder that we all start somewhere but can get progressively better. It is all I knew as “home” before going to Berkeley. Having the opportunity to be a recipient of the RP Scholarship is a very fortunate opportunity that came with living there. I am glad a program is able to give many residents in Richmond a chance to have support throughout their college years. Being first-gen and a low-income student is stressful enough and having financial support makes it easier. Students across many college campuses have the scholarship and we all connect through what we all know as home — Richmond. I am grateful to be an RP Scholar because we are given the opportunity of the scholarship, academic resources, and job opportunities. I grew up feeling like I shouldn’t be attending a well respected university, but I am and I have Richmond Promise to thank for their aid and belief in me. Living in a city like Richmond, you are not given much hope. RP, however, provided hope and continues to provide hope to other youth today. Being a first generation college student is extremely common here and even more so is being low-income. I am able to be successful with the help of an amazing team, you all are my village.

Q: Why did you choose to be a Richmond Promise Summer Associate and what are you hoping to take from the experience?

I chose to become a Richmond Promise Summer Associate because I wanted to connect with students in my community who want to pursue higher education. Working with students has always been a dream of mine because of my college-access program, Upward Bound TRIO. Since many programs have provided me with support I want to return the favor and support my village. 

Q: What do you want to contribute to Richmond and/or the world?

Since Upward Bound TRIO has been my stepping stone since seventh grade, I want to expand my experience with more programs like them. I aspire to work with students who were once in my position. Going to college is a huge deal and having support is the best thing that happened to me so I hope to give students the same or even better assistance. 

Q: How has your current college experience gone and what has been the best part?

During my first semester I experienced a rough time because I wasn’t as prepared as my peers were and I felt imposter syndrome for the first time. I wasn’t used to the fast pace of the semester, the workload, writing college bound essays, and overall the transition. Luckily during my second semester, I met with an EOP advisor which put all of my stresses at ease. I learned about all the general ed requirements and created a four-year plan. I now am confident going into my second year and can’t wait to tackle the rest of my years. 

Q: What are you looking forward to doing after finishing school?

I am looking forward to going into my desired career and not having academic stress, LOL.