About Podium RVA
Richmond Youth After School Writing and Teen Professional Development
Mission
Empowering youth ages 10 - 19 in Greater Richmond & the Tri Cities as confident, capable writers and communicators with the skills necessary to succeed in school, career, and life.
Vision
Our Commitment to Amplifying Voices of Color, Elevating Potential, & Empowering Futures
At Podium RVA, we are dedicated to transforming lives through literacy and creative expression as a vessel for educational equity. As a youth-serving organization in Greater Richmond and the Tri-Cities, we recognize the profound impact of systemic inequities on Black and Brown youth, especially those within the communities we serve. Our mission is rooted in the belief that every young person deserves equitable access to opportunities that empower them with the tools they need to thrive. We achieve this by upholding the following organizational values:
Our values
Championing Equity
Uplifting Black Leadership
Fostering Inclusivity
Collaborative Partnership
Continuous Learning and Growth
History
After discovering no student publications in any Richmond public high school, Podium was founded in 2008 as a teen after-school creative writing organization by Lindy Bumgarner and David L. Robbins. In 2014, Podium expanded its creative programming to include middle schools, and in 2015, began working in community centers, started youth summer programs, and expanded into Henrico County. Since its founding, Podium has mentored over 4,000 children, published 15+ literary journals, and has hosted 10 professional development conferences in addition to dozens of family showcases.
In 2018, Richmond City Council and the VA General Assembly both honored Podium for 10 years of outstanding dedication to youth written expression.
During the 2020 pandemic, Podium quickly responded to community need. One month after school shutdowns, it adapted by offering virtual programs. As schools reopened, demand for services increased, and Podium Stepped. Write. Up. to support changing youth needs. With schools and community centers, Podium began addressing increased social-emotional and literacy learning losses. In 2023, Podium expanded into Hopewell and Petersburg with programs empowering youth to work on their writing and communication. These core skills are foundational to all aspects of life.
In 2024, Podium received the Dominion Energy and VA Commission for the Arts’ Central VA Art Star Award for its Tri City expansion and innovations in youth literacy education.
Podium is a platform for children and teens to define their own future and what success looks like to them. By using writing and communication as tools for their wellbeing and success, Podium youth take their words and advocate for themselves, their family, friends, and community. The content of all Podium programs follows VA Standards of Learning (SOL) in Reading and Writing, Northwest Education’s 6+ Writing Trait model, aligns with international standards defined by the Weikart Center for Youth Program Quality, and is creatively infused by our own students. Youth are the ultimate decision makers regarding program direction, content, and design.
Today, Podium is incredibly proud to build educational equity across Greater Richmond and the Tri Cities in its youth literacy programs!