It was a warm spring day in May 2017 when Bowie State University student Richard W. Collins III’s life was tragically cut short on the University of Maryland College Park campus by what many consider to be a racially motivated act of hate. Just two days prior, he was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the U.S. Army, a milestone he had worked his entire college career to reach, and a path he was certain would be impactful for his country. This senseless act of violence and hate became the catalyst for his parents, Dawn and Richard Collins, to create the Richard W. Collins III Foundation. The foundation’s mission, offers Dawn Collins, “is to invest in the education and empowerment of promising young Americans who’ve proven themselves to be outstanding citizens and are committed to working toward a hate-free, more just society for all.”
A truly unstoppable force, Collins juggles a full time job and family responsibilities while also running the foundation and pursuing her candidacy in the Nonprofit Management and Leadership graduate certificate program at the School of Public Policy. This certificate program equips mission-driven professionals with the skills necessary to thrive in management, strategic planning, finances and fundraising within the nonprofit sector. “The foundation, my graduate program and all the initiatives and efforts we are fighting for … is a way of healing to make sure that the life and legacy of Richard is not forgotten, that his life mattered,” reflects Collins.
Collins decided to enter the 2023 Do Good Challenge, an annual University of Maryland event produced by the Do Good Institute, which is housed in the School of Public Policy. The Do Good Challenge inspires students from across campus to spend the year advocating, fundraising, volunteering and developing solutions for the pressing societal issues, ideas and communities they care about. Standing before a packed house, Collins eloquently spoke about her son’s legacy and the mission of the foundation born in his honor. Her impassioned speech and tireless work in pursuit of justice and unity garnered a second place win for the foundation at the Do Good Challenge finals. “For so long I've spoken about Richard in print, television and media but this was the largest (live) audience I've spoken to by myself,” shares Collins. “It felt personal... intimate. I will never get my son back and that's what I really want at the end of the day. Sharing our story was deeply personal. I lived it. It is a part of me.”
Speaking about the impact that second place award will have on the foundation and its work, Collins says, “The entire experience prepared us for larger scale speaking engagements, to spread the word about the foundation and the life and legacy of our son, Lt. Richard Collins. The Do Good Institute provided yet another platform for us to share our story.”
The foundation’s work plays a crucial role in promoting social justice and combating racism and discrimination on college campuses and the wider community while honoring and celebrating the life and legacy of Lt. Collins.
“My son's death by the hands of another student at an institution of higher learning violates assumptions that young people are immune to racism and bigotry, particularly the pervasive white supremacy that informs cultural norms within the U.S.,” declares Collins. “It is scary that a place where young people go to learn and expand their minds would be the epicenter of my son's murder. It can never happen again.”
UMD President Darryll J. Pines and the University of Maryland community have been steadfast allies of the Collins family, unveiling the Lt. Richard Collins III Plaza in 2022 which serves as a tribute to a life lost and a lasting reminder of the work still needing to be done to eliminate hate in our society. The Collins family is proudly collaborating with the University to create a future course honoring their son’s legacy.
Looking ahead, Collins is immensely grateful for the platform she had at the Do Good Challenge finals, as it allowed her to amplify the impact of her foundation to a large audience. Her primary goal now is to expand its reach to numerous institutions across Maryland and throughout the entire country. She remains dedicated to advocating for national hate crime laws and expanding their efforts beyond Maryland to effect change in other states.
The Do Good Challenge serves as a powerful catalyst for students to channel their passion and drive into tangible actions that address pressing societal issues. Through advocating, fundraising, volunteering and developing innovative solutions, participants are empowered to make a meaningful difference in the ideas and communities they care about. The Lt. Richard W. Collins III foundation, whose work seamlessly aligns with the values embodied by its namesake, further reinforces the importance of equal protection and representation for every individual, regardless of their background or circumstances. “When he took that oath of office to protect this nation, he didn’t take it for one segment of the country, he took it for ALL of America,” asserts Collins. “He believed in WE THE PEOPLE. Our foundation spreads that message.” Together, these initiatives inspire a generation of compassionate and proactive changemakers who are committed to creating a better and more inclusive world for all.
The Lt. Richard W. Collins III Foundation stands as a testament to the enduring legacy of a man who believed in the power of unity and justice. Through her tireless efforts and the skills she has learned from the nonprofit management and leadership graduate certificate program, Collins continues to run a successful foundation and ensure that her son’s life and legacy inspire us all to raise our voices and eradicate the darkness of hatred. Every life and every voice matters. Collins emphasizes, “We all should have a voice and use our voice to eradicate hate in this country. My son mattered, his life mattered, the oath he took and why he took it mattered. The world will know his name.”