City Government

Richmond Promise ‘Scholar Celebration’ Coming to Civic Center Plaza

Nearly 500 student dreams for the future will become a higher education reality when the Richmond Promise celebrates its annual ‘Scholar Celebration’ on Saturday, Aug. 3 from 1-4 p.m. at Richmond’s Civic Center Plaza. The Scholar Celebration presents an opportunity for the organization to usher in its newest class of approximately 500 college-bound scholars, in an event that’s free for the community to join. The celebration, which will feature a college quad-style vibe, will have games, food trucks, community resources and booths with local colleges and universities.

Published

1 year ago

July 18, 2024

Oakland Post

Photo courtesy of Gerry Serrano.

By Kathy Chouteau

The Richmond Standard

The Scholar Celebration presents an opportunity for the organization to usher in its newest class of approximately 500 college-bound scholars, in an event that’s free for the community to join. The celebration, which will feature a college quad-style vibe, will have games, food trucks, community resources and booths with local colleges and universities.

Christopher Whitmore, Richmond Promise’s executive director, said the organization looks forward to the Scholar Celebration every year “because it gives us a chance to celebrate our newest class of Richmond Promise scholars with the entire Richmond community.” He said the event offers a great reminder that working towards postsecondary success remains a priority for Richmond students and families.

Richmond Promise launched in 2016 via a $35 million, 10-year investment by Chevron Richmond. The funds are part of a $90 million community benefits agreement between the City of Richmond and Chevron related to the $1 billion Refinery Modernization Project.

The organization’s scholars are supported through a $1,500 college scholarship that’s renewable for up to four years, as well as essential wraparound services.

To date, Richmond Promise has supported more than 3,300 young people from Richmond as they progress “to and through” higher education. Currently, more than 1,300 scholars are working toward their associate’s and bachelor’s degrees at approximately 200 colleges and universities nationwide while being served by the organization. Among these students are others pursuing career technical education certifications.

The organization said that most of its scholars identify as people of color, first-generation college students and those from low-income backgrounds.

Those wishing to sponsor Richmond Promise’s Scholar Celebration can contact Christopher Whitmore at cwhitmore@richmondpromise.org. For more info regarding the scholarship, click here. Richmond’s Civic Center Plaza can be found at 2569 Nevin Ave. in Richmond.

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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.

Published

2 weeks ago

November 20, 2025

Oakland Post

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.

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.