WEST CHESTER, PA — Philadelphia City Council Majority Leader Katherine Gilmore Richardson (At-Large) returned to her alma mater on Friday, October 24, to inspire students at West Chester University’s annual Ruby Jones Conference with a message centered on mentorship, leadership, and social justice.
During her presentation, Mentorship and Social Justice: Guiding the Next Generation of Changemakers, Gilmore Richardson highlighted how intentional mentorship can open doors, build confidence, and empower young leaders to use their voices for positive change.
“Mentorship has played a major role in my life and has proven to be incredibly important in my career trajectory,” Gilmore Richardson said. “I know the true power mentorship brings for young people, but especially for young Black women. As I look back on my journey, I see how powerful mentorship truly is — not just for individuals, but for our communities. It’s how we create space for more Black women in leadership, so our voices and experiences are represented where decisions are made. Because when we’re at the table, we bring our communities with us and that’s how we advance equity and social justice in real, lasting ways.”
The Ruby Jones Conference, hosted by WCU’s Dowdy Multicultural Center, honors Ruby Jones — the university’s first Black faculty member and a pioneer for diversity and inclusion. The annual event continues her legacy by creating space for dialogue on racial, cultural, and social issues affecting today’s students and educators.
“As a proud two-time WCU alumna, it was an honor to return to campus and discuss a topic that defines so much of my journey,” Gilmore Richardson said. “My experiences at WCU, combined with the counsel of an exceptional mentor in former Councilmember Blondell Reynolds Brown, provided a foundation that has sustained a 25-year career in public service. I wanted to share that story so students understand the transformative power of mentorship and how it can help them lift not just themselves, but their entire community.”
The session highlighted mentorship’s broader role as a bridge between opportunity and equity — a way to ensure the next generation of changemakers is both prepared and empowered to lead.
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