Meet Richard Hicks: CEO & President

We had the good fortune of connecting with Richard Hicks and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Richard, how does your business help the community?
Inspiredu is the boots on the ground helping Atlanta’s underserved communities with technology learning tools, digital access and support for academic success and career readiness. As Georgia’s only nonprofit addressing technology opportunities for children’s learning support system while also supporting digital literacy, access and inclusion, Inspiredu makes a stand for education equity for its youth and their families. As CEO of Inspiredu, our mission has been grounded in a two-generational approach to education and digital inclusion. We ensure our young scholars, and their caregivers have access to internet-enabled devices, training and support for a strong home learning environment. I’ve had the great pleasure of being part of Inspiredu for 11+ years and though we’ve gone through org name changes, our commitment to bridge the digital divide has never wavered. We stand firm to break down social inequality and empower communities to create a positive collective impact.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I’ve been part of Inspiredu for 11+ years and one thing I’ve learned that’s tried and true is giving up is not an option. The roads to success are not going to look the same for those traveling. It bends and twists and adapts to life, obstacles and victories but know this, there is no success without failure. Take the bull by the horn and face challenges and adversity head on. By doing so, you are showing your team and the community that there is much better learning in the journey to achievement than at the pinnacle. Also, success is planting a seed so that it may change one life and keep growing so that it creates positive generational change. At Inspiredu, we have Family Learning Workshops where students and families pick up home learning devices and have training on usage and learning together. It is a 3-hour learning event that students, caregivers, staff and volunteers come together to ensure learners get their home technology tools as well as training to have successful home learning environments. When you give a student their own laptop computer refurbished with education software, it is cultivating engaged learning leading to academic and even career success. Success is not defined by the masses – it is done individually. Because one technology tool seed can grow enormous roots that can serve many to empowering, engaging and educational learning success. If what we do helps one, leading to helping many, I know I’ve done good.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Growing up in a house where my father was part of the military instilled in me a strong weapon of self-discipline. I used it often when I was quarterback of my high school football team. Calling plays on the field taught me that discipline is the key to every play. When there are 11 moving parts on the team, I knew early on that discipline was the key to success and the foundation for lifelong learning. I find myself relying on discipline often especially while leading the team at Inspiredu. I say to the staff, “Self-discipline is the ability to pursue what is right, despite all temptations to abandon it.” My father and my family provided me a strong family history which instilled confidence and self-esteem built on you guessed it, robust self-discipline. My family is my foundation because they always said to make the mind stronger than the physical body. Fundamentally, discipline is the value that drives me and that I lean on during time of duress. It has helped me greatly when I step out of my comfort zone to test new theories and ideas because when I do so it helps build courage to do what may be hard. Discipline has helped build Inspiredu and along with the team, we’ve been able to support over 26,000 individuals, distribute 13,000+ technology devices and support digital inclusion for many learners.

Website: https://www.iuatl.org
Instagram: @inspireduatl
Linkedin: @inspiredu atlanta
Twitter: @inspireduatl
Facebook: @inspireduAtlanta