Craig Dodson of Richmond Cycling Corps (File photo)
A Richmonder dedicated to changing lives through cycling is up for a prestigious award for his work with teens living in some of Richmond's public housing communities.
Craig Dodson, founder and executive director of Richmond Cycling Corps, on Wednesday was one of 10 people across the country honored as a “Top CNN hero of 2016” by the news network. Not one to take credit — even when it’s due — Dodson shies away from the attention, but he says he’s happy it could benefit the nonprofit’s efforts.
(Photo courtesy Richmond Cycling Corps)
“At the end of the day, if it’s something that’s going to help us, give us a little more of a platform to broadcast the truth of what these kids have going on, it’s a big deal for us,” Dodson says, adding later, “It’s great. It’s an honor, but it’s more important to look at it as a reflection of the kids and what the kids are doing.”
In 2010, Dodson began working with teens living in the Fairfield Court public housing community. The nonprofit launched a cycling team at Armstrong High School in 2014, the first inner-city cycling team in the country. It’s in the process of moving its operations over to the East End to be more accessible to the kids with whom it works.
Each of the 10 CNN Hero finalists will be highlighted in a December broadcast on the network and receive a $10,000 prize. Voting is open to pick the “Hero of the Year,” who will win $100,000 to support their efforts. You can vote for Dodson here.
