Donale Richards

Class of 2012:
Donale Richards was featured in the “Bright Ideas” section of the Capitol Times for his ideas on positive mentoring in entrepreneurship for at-risk youth.  His approach to life was a solution to the troubles of his own upbringing.  His family went into crisis when he was 13, spiraling down into poverty and instability, and he himself became alienated and isolated from both white and black peer groups.  The PEOPLE program at East High supported him through difficult times and allowed him to attend UW-Madison, where he studied Biological Systems Engineering.  He now works for Mentoring Positives Inc and Dane County UW-Extension, developing entrepreneurship programs for Madison youth.  He says that at-risk kids can use their unique perspective and turn it into creativity and productivity, if they are not judged or discouraged from their passions.
 
 

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