Myra Richardson, a Baton Rouge native, is a public relations and community outreach specialist, social engineer, and founder of the award-winning start-up, Red Torch Consulting. She has made a name for herself as a renowned activist nationally and locally, with a proven track record in philanthropy, organizing, activism, and business acumen.
Richardson served as a champion of economic development for nearly five years, most recently leading the Black Chamber of Commerce. During her tenure, she increased membership from 18 to nearly 400 members, developed programming, and raised the profile of the previously dilapidated organization.
Richardson has collaborated with every level of government to effectuate change in her community, and her collective impact earned her recognition from the Obama Administration. She developed a new event called 225fest to celebrate the capitol region, which garnered over 14,000 people in its first year, and has won national acclaim for her contributions.
Richardson’s achievements include receiving the W. Montague Cobb Lifetime Achievement Award by the National Chapter of The NAACP, The Business Reports Youngest 40 Under 40 Recipient, and locally, the Acie J. Belton Lifetime Achievement Award for impactful Scotlandville advocates. She has spoken and been featured in major publications such as CNN, TeenVogue, TED Talk, The New York Times, The Drum, Essence, BET, Huffpost, British Broadcasting, WAFB, WBRZ, 225 Magazine, and The Advocate.
Richardson’s work spans leading protests to policy, economic development, eliminating food deserts, healthcare equity/access, and honoring and uplifting the history and legacy of black and brown communities.