COMMUNITY WEALTH BUILDING NEWS
A FAREWELL...
Dear Community Members and Friends,
 
It has been my distinct honor to serve as the first Director of the Office of Community Wealth Building for the City of Richmond. Mayor Dwight C. Jones charted a bold vision for tackling the multiple causes of poverty in our city simultaneously, with the long-term aim of reducing poverty in Richmond by 40% over the next fifteen years. With the support of City Council, the Mayor acted to institutionalize this vision by making the Office of Community Wealth Building a permanent entity responsible for developing and implementing a comprehensive poverty reduction plan for Richmond.
 
In the past two years, we have hired and assembled a staff of thirteen people; launched or help launch five new programs impacting low-income residents in the City; expanded the City's workforce development program; established a system of goals, metrics, and accountability for the effort; secured support from a major national foundation; and built strong partnerships with other public agencies and the local philanthropic and business community. Our initiatives are touching Richmonders from preschool to adulthood, in every corner of the City. During this time period as well the City has made major strides on large-scale initiatives such as Bus Rapid Transit, development of the Port of Richmond, tackling food deserts in the East End, and pursuing the transformation of public housing communities into thriving neighborhoods.
 
As we have said repeatedly, this is long term work. It is the work not of a single administration, but of a generation. And it is the work not of one or two leaders, but of the entire community. For that reason, I could not be more pleased that Mayor Jones has selected an experienced and esteemed community leader to continue this effort as the next Director of the Office.

On behalf of the staff of the Office of Community Wealth Building, I thank you for the support and engagement of in our work so far, and look forward to continued partnership and progress in the years to come.
 
Thad Williamson

From the staff of the Office of Community Wealth Building

T had - Thank you for your vision and tireless dedication and  devotion to this work.
 
YOU WILL BE MISSED!
WELCOMING REGGIE GORDON
Reginald E. Gordon
The Office of Community Wealth Building is pleased to announce the appointment of its new Director, Mr. Reginald E. Gordon.  Scheduled to start on June 13, Reggie comes to the City of Richmond with a wealth of knowledge and experience.  Gordon is a Richmond native who has served as the Director of the William Byrd Community House; a fund developer for the United Way of Greater Richmond and Petersburg; director of Homeward, a coordinating organization for homeless services in the Richmond Area and comes to the City of Richmond by way of the American Red Cross Virginia Region where he served as the CEO for nine years.  
 
As the successor to Dr. Thad Williamson who has been on leave from the University of Richmond for the past two years, the Office of Community Wealth Building and Mayor Jones are confident that Gordon will hit the ground running.  "We've identified the right fit for the next phase of our community wealth building efforts in Reggie Gordon" said Mayor Jones .  
OCWB YEAR ONE ANNUAL REPORT

The first ever Annual Report of the Office of Community Wealth Building is here! Download the report to learn more about what we have accomplished in our first year and our plans for the future. 

Also be sure to check our our updated website! 
Office of Community Wealth Building | City Hall, 900 East Broad Street Suite 1502 | 804-646-1300 | Email | Website
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