Molly Richard
Molly Richard (she/they) is a multidisciplinary researcher who primarily draws from sociology, urban studies, social work, and community psychology to explore the impacts of power, oppression, and privilege on individual, organizational, and community wellbeing. Molly holds a PhD in Community Research and Action from Vanderbilt University and is currently a Postdoctoral Scholar at Boston University’s Center for Innovation in Social Science. In both their research and work with Racial Equity Partners (REP), Molly focuses on understanding the historical and structural causes of racial inequities in the United States and using qualitative and quantitative research to support efforts to repair past harms and advance equity.
Prior to graduate school, Molly spent five years conducting research and technical assistance with C4 Innovations, where her last position was as Deputy Project Director and Research Manager for the Supporting Partnerships for Anti-Racist Communities (SPARC) initiative. SPARC led the collaboration of eight cities/counties across the U.S. to understand and respond to racial inequities in homeless services and begin implementation of equity strategies across programs, policies, and systems. Prior to C4 Innovations, Molly worked as a direct service provider with youth who had experienced trauma.
As a white, queer, housed person, Molly reflects on their positionality throughout their work and prioritizes partnership with and accountability to people of color. Her goal is to use her love of data, stories, theory, and maps to help seek a world without white supremacy, poverty, and homelessness. Molly got their B.A. in Psychology from Vassar College and currently resides in Providence, RI.