By Kathy Chouteau
In a year marking a decade of its college-going cohort events, the “Richmond Promise Scholar Celebration” is taking place Wednesday, May 28 from 5-7 p.m. at the Richmond Art Center.
The event will spotlight the latest group of more than 500 Richmond Promise scholars as they celebrate with family members and the community their advancement from high school to postsecondary education. Light refreshments, activities, alumni speakers and a recognition of Richmond Promise’s newest class will be part of the evening.
This year’s cohort represents the largest incoming group since the COVID-19 pandemic.
Richmond Promise Executive Director Christopher Whitmore said that the Scholar Celebration is our community’s chance to show our youth that Richmond supports their higher education journeys. “As our incoming scholars prepare for higher education, we want them to feel joyous, excited and motivated, and it takes our entire community to help them establish that strong start.”
More than 3,700 Richmond high school graduates have progressed “to and through” higher education since Richmond Promise’s inception in 2016. The organization was funded via a $35 million, 10-year investment by Chevron Richmond. The funds are part of a $90 million community benefits agreement between the City of Richmond and Chevron stemming from the $1 billion Refinery Modernization Project.
Those currently being served by the organization include 1,300 scholars pursuing associate and bachelor’s degrees and career technical education certificates at over 200 colleges and universities nationwide.
Most Richmond Promise scholars identify as people of color, first-generation college students and students from low-income backgrounds, according to the organization. The scholars are supported by the organization via a $1,500 per year, four-year scholarship and wraparound services.
To sponsor the event, contact Richmond Promise’s Director of Development Hannah Dworkin at [email protected]. Learn more about the Richmond Promise Scholarship here. Find the Richmond Art Center at 2540 Barrett Ave. in Richmond.
