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Richmond Promise Distributes Laptops to College-Bound Students

Funded via Richmond Promise’s Grant from the City of Richmond’s Department of Children & Youth, the organization handed out nearly 40 laptops provided by Oakland-based Tech Exchange, which in part provides free refurbished computers and digital literacy training to low-income families. Another, roughly, 15 laptops will be distributed to scholars soon.

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Richmond Promise students receive computers in green bags from Tech Exchange. Photos courtesy Richmond Promise.
Richmond Promise students receive computers in green bags from Tech Exchange. Photos courtesy Richmond Promise.

By Kathy Chouteau | Richmond Standard

Richmond Promise teamed up with Tech Exchange to host a laptop distribution event for college-bound scholars at the Richmond Main Public Library on Sat., Aug. 26.

Funded via Richmond Promise’s Grant from the City of Richmond’s Department of Children & Youth, the organization handed out nearly 40 laptops provided by Oakland-based Tech Exchange, which in part provides free refurbished computers and digital literacy training to low-income families. Another, roughly, 15 laptops will be distributed to scholars soon.

College-bound scholars, who completed their Richmond Promise “Summer Bridge” onboarding, indicated an interest in receiving refurbished laptops for use in college.

Students receiving Pell Grant, Cal Grant B and the California Chafee Grant for Foster Youth also received priority in the laptop distribution process.

Emani Mason, a recent Kennedy High graduate, headed to UC Davis this fall, shared  the distribution was “very exciting and helpful.”

“I was having a lot of trouble finding a computer that would help me in college and be affordable because I am a low-income student, so it was a matter of getting the right tools on the computer and the right price range,” said Mason.

Richmond Promise Executive Director, Chris Whitmore, emphasized that, “Providing access to technology is so important when we talk about empowering Richmond students to have success in college and beyond.” Whitmore expressed gratitude to Tech Exchange for helping the organization bridge the digital divide.

Richmond Promise is an organization that provides postsecondary access and success—and since its origins in 2016—has supported more than 3,300 young people from Richmond “to and through” higher education.

Currently, more than 1,500 scholars per year pursue their associate and bachelor degrees, and career technical education certifications nationwide supported by Richmond Promise scholarships.

The organization traces its roots to a $35 million, 10-year investment from Chevron Richmond, with the aim of building a culture of postsecondary access and success throughout the city.

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Oakland Post: Week of November 26 – December 2, 2025

The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of November 26 – December 2, 2025

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Oakland Post: Week of November 19 – 25, 2025

The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of November 19 – 25, 2025

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IN MEMORIAM: William ‘Bill’ Patterson, 94

Bill devoted his life to public service and education. In 1971, he became the founding director for the Peralta Community College Foundation, he also became an administrator for Oakland Parks and Recreation overseeing 23 recreation centers, the Oakland Zoo, Children’s Fairyland, Lake Merritt, and the Henry J. Kaiser Convention Center.

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William "Bill" Patterson, 94. Photo courtesy of the Patterson family.

William “Bill” Patterson, 94, of Little Rock, Arkansas, passed away peacefully on October 21, 2025, at his home in Oakland, CA. He was born on May 19, 1931, to Marie Childress Patterson and William Benjamin Patterson in Little Rock, Arkansas. He graduated from Dunbar High School and traveled to Oakland, California, in 1948. William Patterson graduated from San Francisco State University, earning both graduate and undergraduate degrees. He married Euradell “Dell” Patterson in 1961. Bill lovingly took care of his wife, Dell, until she died in 2020.

Bill devoted his life to public service and education. In 1971, he became the founding director for the Peralta Community College Foundation, he also became an administrator for Oakland Parks and Recreation overseeing 23 recreation centers, the Oakland Zoo, Children’s Fairyland, Lake Merritt, and the Henry J. Kaiser Convention Center.

He served on the boards of Oakland’s Urban Strategies Council, the Oakland Public Ethics Commission, and the Oakland Workforce Development Board.

He was a three-term president of the Oakland branch of the NAACP.

Bill was initiated in the Gamma Alpha chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity.

In 1997 Bill was appointed to the East Bay Utility District Board of Directors. William Patterson was the first African American Board President and served the board for 27 years.

Bill’s impact reached far beyond his various important and impactful positions.

Bill mentored politicians, athletes and young people. Among those he mentored and advised are legends Joe Morgan, Bill Russell, Frank Robinson, Curt Flood, and Lionel Wilson to name a few.

He is survived by his son, William David Patterson, and one sister, Sarah Ann Strickland, and a host of other family members and friends.

A celebration of life service will take place at Henry J. Kaiser Convention Center (Calvin Simmons Theater) on November 21, 2025, at 10 AM.

His services are being livestreamed at: https://www.facebook.com/events/1250167107131991/

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Euradell and William Patterson scholarship fund TBA.

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