Derek Richardson

Cynthia E. Griffin-  |   OW Managing Editor
May 21 2009

Ordinary people garner extraordinary results

Derek and Stephanie Richardson have a very simple philosophy—each one reach out and help one.

The husband and wife team believe it does not take a fancy office, an elaborate business plan or a huge pot of money to help your “neighbors.” All it takes is a little creativity and a little vision, and the Richardsons have that in abundance.

Cynthia E. Griffin-  |   OW Managing Editor
Apr 30 2009

Men learn to treasure their children

 Daddy Denson.

That’s what his daughter’s friends used to call William Denson, during the years they hung out at his house.

In fact, even though the four or five young women who gave him that nickname are now in their 30s, Denson said they still call him that.

“I embraced that and took it seriously that they could feel that way about me,” said Denson adding that none of the young women had fathers in their lives at that time.

Across Black America

Here’s a look at African American people and issues making headlines throughout the country.

California
San Diego college students and volunteers will carry out their sixth home restoration project on Wednesday, July 10 through Sunday, July 14. as part of the “Healing our Heroes’ Homes” (H3) program created by the nonprofit Embrace. The five-day effort will take place at the home of medically retired Marine Corps Capt. Sarah Bettencourt. Bettencourt served with many different units across the country during the Global War on Terrorism and developed a rare neurological disorder in 2008. With a focus to restore the homes of disabled veteran homeowners, H3 falls in line with Embrace’s mission to mobilize college-student volunteers and community members to serve less fortunate members of civilian and veteran communities. The project for the Bettencourts’ home includes kitchen and bathroom remodeling, building ADA-compliant disability ramps, widening their driveway to ADA standards, widening doorways and landscaping.
 
District of Columbia
The 2013 Smithsonian Folklife Festival will showcase its five-year community research project on African American identity with the program “The Will to Adorn: African American Diversity, Style, and Identity.” This multicity collaboration examines the history and culture of the aesthetics of African Americans. The festival will be held June 26-30 and July 3-7, outdoors on the National Mall between Seventh and 14th streets. “Whether we realize it or not, we are all dress artists. The way we compose our look is a creative expression of our ideas about who we are and who we aspire to be,” said Diana N’Diaye, program curator. “This program explores the diversity of African American traditions of style, but also teaches young people the importance of documenting their own culture and saving that information for themselves and future generations.”