D.L. Richardson is an Oregon-based educator with 25 plus years of experience in teaching, diversity training, and public speaking. D.L. has taught communication courses at the university and high school levels, including everything from Public Speaking to Media and Civil Rights History, as well as Journalism and Public Relations.
He has served/serves on the Oregon Cares Fund for Black Relief and Resiliency, The Oregon African American/Black Student Success Advisory Committee, The Governor’s (Oregon) Healthy Schools Reopening Council, the Oregon Racial Justice Council’s Education Recovery Committee, the Jackson County (Oregon) United Way Board of Directors, board member of Foundations For A Better Oregon, member of the DEI committee of the Oregon Community Foundation, board member of the Southern Oregon Historical Society, the board of Ashland.
News (Local Online News organization), member of the Oregon Alliance of Black School Educators (ORABSE), and member of the Oregon Black Student Success Network. He also proudly serves on the Ashland (Oregon) Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day organizing committee. Managed and organized the Southern Oregon University’s Diversity Scholars Program. University of Alabama’s Associate Director of the Program for Minorities (School of Communication). Co-chaired and helped organize the City of Ashland’s first “Say Hey” event. Member of National Association of Black Journalists. Member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity.
He currently works as an Equity Specialist, doing advocacy work on behalf of Black and African American students and families, with the Southern Oregon Education Service District. He also serves as President and Co-founded the community-based organization Black Southern Oregon Alliance (BlacksouthernOregonalliance.com), an organization that provides advocacy for students and families who identify as Black and/or African American, as well as organizes the Annual Black Youth Leadership Summit, which brings together 6th-12th grade Black/African American students from across 12 school districts in southern Oregon to connect with one-another, learn about their culture, prepare for their future, and understand they are not alone in the valley. As well as the Black Youth Summer Institute, a week-long summer workshop for Black/African American students that gives students a true college-experience, while also learning about their culture and preparing them for their future.
"Start Where You Are. Use What You Have. Do What You Can." -Arthur Ashe
DL’s favorite quote by Arthur Ashe perfectly summarizes his commitment to the youth, families, and communities he serves. "Start Where You Are. Use What You Have. Do What You Can." With more than 25 years as an educator, trainer, and public speaker, DL has firmly planted his feet, used his voice and his skills to do the most! Based in Southern Oregon, he has served or serves on local and state committees, boards and foundations that focus on the health and social wellness of Oregon’s Black and African American populations, including Black Student Success Network, Jackson County United Way, Oregon Community Foundation, Oregon CARES Fund for Relief and Resiliency, among many other