About RHCDC

Our History

The Richmond Heights Community Development Corporation (RHCDC), originally known as the Richmond Heights United Pastors Foundation, Inc., was founded in 1992 following the devastation of Hurricane Andrew. The storm caused extensive damage to homes, businesses, and community infrastructure, displacing many residents. In response, local faith leaders and community stakeholders united to mobilize resources, support recovery efforts, and provide a unified voice for the community—establishing RHCDC as a community development organization dedicated to the long-term stability and growth of Richmond Heights.

Our Mission

The mission of the Richmond Heights Community Development Corporation (RHCDC) is to expand economic development opportunities, increase housing opportunities, promote comprehensive neighborhood revitalization, and raise awareness of social services available to residents, thereby improving the quality of life.

Our Vision

We envision a harmonious community where people of different incomes, ethnicities, races, and backgrounds live with dignity and fulfillment.

Our Goals

Core Values

Community Leadership

We believe in building the power and leadership of the Richmond Heights Community by fostering connections and supporting civic participation by all residents, in particular, those who have traditionally had less power, such as people of modest income, people of color, immigrants, tenants, youth, and the disabled. We believe community residents should have a decisive voice in shaping the future of their communities and their own lives, and the ability to create local organizations through which they can work together to achieve common goals.

Inclusion

We seek to create an inclusive community where all people are welcomed regardless of their ethnicity, race, income, age, or abilities. We seek to create a community development field that is reflective of the people we serve.

Economic Opportunity

We believe that everyone deserves a fair and genuine opportunity to participate in the economic mainstream and achieve economic security. We will provide the access and the tools that enable people to succeed and address structural obstacles that prevent many of us from fully benefiting from the economic opportunities available in our communities.

Innovation

We value inventiveness, ambition, creativity, and the ability to take risks as distinguishing characteristics of the community development field.  We are committed to finding new and innovative ways to achieve our goals in response to the changing context of our work.

Collaboration

We believe that collaboration is essential to building stronger communities and achieving our vision for greater economic opportunity. We build and sustain local, statewide, and national collaborations and networks that enable our members and others to make more efficient use of limited resources while achieving greater impact and addressing regional and national challenges.

LEADERSHIP

RHCDC BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Karen Webb

President

Frieda Brown

Secretary

John Gore

Treasurer

Mark Beckford

Board Member

RHCDC STAFF

Patrick Merit

Executive Director

Let's build our future together

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©2026 RHCDC | DESIGN BY ACC INC.

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