Richard earned a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism, accompanied by a minor in Computer Science, from New York University. Additionally, he holds a Masters in Education as a Reading Specialist from City College of New York. Spanning over three decades in education, technology, and journalism, Richard dedicated 10 years to teaching in NYC schools, 8 of which were in East Harlem. Afterward, he supported district-wide technology initiatives for 3 years and served as an adjunct faculty member at Teachers College, Columbia University, while also assisting with various projects at the Institute for Learning Technologies. In 1996, Richard founded HarlemLIVE, Inc., aiming to harness the power of emerging Internet technologies to provide a platform for students to engage in journalism. This book not only chronicles HarlemLIVE's impactful journey but is also a testament to Richard's advocacy for integrating journalism into school curricula and his vision of a civics-driven educational landscape. His hope is to leverage the narratives in this book to further his mission, exemplified by initiatives such as localized newsletters that demonstrate how journalism can foster community while building skills.
