Meet Amirika Richardson

We recently connected with Amirika Richardson and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Amirika , so excited to talk about all sorts of important topics with you today. The first one we want to jump into is about being the only one in the room – for some that’s being the only person of color or the only non-native English speaker or the only non-MBA, etc Can you talk to us about how you have managed to be successful even when you were the only one in the room that looked like you?

One of my favorite quotes, which I use daily when speaking to myself, children, and friends, is: “Be who you were created to be.” You cannot be anyone else, and you don’t need to be. All you have to do is be yourself. I believe in the power of simply existing. Just by existing, you are enough. Now in terms of impact what truly matters is what you do with your existence that is where your magic lies. I no longer fear being the only one in the room, because that is a fact, and it’s also true for everyone else. When you remove the fear of making mistakes and failing, you free yourself to thrive, no matter who is around you. Afterall we are all the only one in the room in some way.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

I am deeply invested in community education, particularly in the areas of youth and workforce development. Having taught at a local college for many years, I often asked my students why they chose their major. While many had a reason, they were unsure about how it would translate into a career, and often, their “why” wasn’t enough to help them determine if the job would be a sustainable fit in the long term.

From my own experience, I realized my degree didn’t align with my passions once I entered the workforce, leading me to adjust my career path. This realization is one of the primary reasons I now serve as the Career & Education Director at Capital Area Michigan Works! In this role, I focus on creating process and curriculum improvements, connecting educators with employers, and helping students navigate those connections. Together, we work as a community to propel youth into their dream jobs or foster talent that can help them create the job of their dreams. One of these projects that I help cultivate is called MiCareerQuest Capital Area.

MiCareerQuestCapitalArea provides a unique hands-on and interactive platform for students to explore various career opportunities and pathways. Our exhibits are tailor-made to engage students and employers alike in activities that foster a deeper understanding of different occupations. With each exhibitor showcasing the best of their trade, students get to witness first-hand what career opportunities might be available to them. Our event provides a stimulating experience that helps students learn and explore different career pathways in an engaging way. It takes a whole year to plan but it ends with thousands of students connecting with employers and gaining insight into a future career.

As education equity is a core value of mine, I am honored to accept the role of Chair of the Ingham County Racial Equity Task Force. My term begins January 2025.
The Task Force was created to improve opportunities for Black and Brown communities. Our mission is to strengthen connections to resources and develop processes aimed at reducing and eliminating the inequalities that hinder their advancement.

Council members are selected based on their ties to the community, their background experience, and their commitment to fostering equitable opportunities. In this role, I have the opportunity to leverage my expertise to expand access to education and employment resources for people of color, ensuring greater equity in these crucial areas.
I am looking forward to what lies ahead on this journey.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

Three qualities that have been most impactful in my career pathway are being open-minded, embracing failure, and never stopping the quest for knowledge. A willingness to learn from others and adopt new practices was key to my transition into my current role.

Failure is inevitable, but it’s also a valuable learning opportunity that helps you improve for the future. This is why asking questions—no matter how challenging—is crucial. Even when answers are hard to come by, I ask, “How can we make this better? What are we missing? What do we need? How can I help?” This is where a change agent takes accountability for creating change in their community. These three things keep me from being “me” focused, and allows me to keep growing and finding new ways to use my skills.

Awesome, really appreciate you opening up with us today and before we close maybe you can share a book recommendation with us. Has there been a book that’s been impactful in your growth and development?

Two books that have greatly impacted my personal and professional life are The Greatest Salesman in the World by Og Mandino and The Servant by James C. Hunter. I first read The Greatest Salesman when I was 10, and its principles have stayed with me to this day. One of my favorite quotes from the book is, “If wishes were horses, beggars would ride.” This proverb reminds us that simply wishing for something is not enough to make it happen. If wishes could easily become reality, even those without resources would be able to achieve their desires. It emphasizes that action and effort are crucial, and that merely wishing or hoping is insufficient—one must take the necessary steps to make those desires real.

The other book, The Servant, which I read as a college student, taught me key concepts of leadership, specifically the importance of serving others. It demonstrates that effective leadership requires the mindset of a servant, and vice versa. Both roles are essential to building cohesive and impactful organizations.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.micareerquestcapitalarea.com/
• Instagram: @room_719
• Facebook: Amirika Richardson
• Linkedin: Amirika Richardson