“…In the fashion of Dr. Witney Young did, Dr. Earl S. Richardson, President Emeritus of Morgan State University & Distinguished Professor, Senior Research Associate of Morgan State University, used his coveted positions of service to tear down barriers to full and unfettered participation in America, especially American education, and to open wider the doors to equal opportunity. Dr. Richardson was cut from the cloth of Dr. Whitney Young, but also Dr. Benjamin E. Mays and Dr. Mordecai Johnson two revered presidents of Morehouse College and Howard University, respectively, who each personified the scholarship, self-determination, discipline, passion, professionalism, activism, fortitude, rectitude, creativity, collegiality and faith personified by the Nation’s great HBCU college presidents, through the ages. Dr. Richardson reflected these characteristics and others and his light shined brightly.

“…. Those in the 106 HBCUs, and 80 PBIs, the 7 million HBCU alumni, 5 million active members of the Divine 9, the 20 million members of the 8 historically Black faith denominations in 300,000 churches, and in countless mosques, and temples, and the more than 200 African American-owned community newspapers from around the United States thank and salute you for the strategic voice, you relentlessly used throughout your 26-year presidency as Morgan’s 9th president and thereafter. We pay homage to you for your sagacity, your genius in shaping, advancing, and providing wise counsel to the counsel, insights and wisdom to the Coalition for Equity and Excellence in Maryland Higher Education, without which the Maryland Higher Education Equity victory would likely not have become a reality.

“The blueprint you established, Dr. Richardson, for proving an absence of parity in public investments between HBCUs and HWCUs requiring states to take affirmative remedial actions to eliminate the vestigial impacts of the funding discrimination, will now be used in the other 18 states in which we have public HBCUs and HWCUs, to attain results similar to Maryland.

“We salute you, Dr. Richardson, for moving the nation closer to attaining the vision of Whitney Young of an opportunity community, and of HBCU alumna Kamala Harris, of an
Opportunity Economy….”

We personally thank Dr. Richardson for being a valued and unfaltering leader of NAFEO, a Guardian Angel at the HBCU gates, not only in Maryland but across the country, a mentor, wise counsel, sage and stalwart friend…Dr. Richardson transitioned as he lived, bravely, and fearlessly.

Our hearts and love go out to Dr. Sheila Richardson, Dr. Richardson’s wife, life partner, his air, his sous chef. We thank Dr. Sheila Richardson, Mr. Eric Richardson, Dr. Richardson’s son, and King, Dr. Richardson’s grandson for lifting and keeping Dr. Richardson at peace, and armed with all he needed from a loving family to position him to go out and slay the dragons.

“Good-night, sweet prince; and flights of angels sing thee to thy rest.”

September 13, 2025

Dr. Lezli Baskerville, NAFEO President & CEO (2004-2024)
NAFEO Chief Thought & Action Leader (2025-

Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis, Jr. Chair, NAFEO Board of Directors &
President, National Newspaper Publishers Association

Dr. Wilma J. Roscoe, NAFEO Interim President Emerita

Dr. John Pierre, Chair, NAFEO Presidents Advocacy & Law Work Group (PAL)
Chancellor Southern University System