University of Phoenix Leader Appointed to Board of Directors for Black Chamber of Arizona

By: University of Phoenix via Business Wire

January 24, 2025 at 14:37 PM EST

Tondra Richardson, MBA, director, Office of Educational Equity, brings a wealth of professional experience to the role

University of Phoenix is proud to share that Tondra Richardson, MBA, director, Office of Educational Equity, was appointed to the Board of Directors for the Black Chamber of Arizona (BCAZ). BCAZ supports small businesses and produces new economic buying power to build resilient pathways for financial growth across the state of Arizona. As a member of the BCAZ Board of Directors, Richardson’s appointment spans one year. In this role, she will support the Chamber’s mission to close the racial wealth gap, mitigate poverty, and drive innovation, job creation, and wealth building within the small business community.

“We are excited to have Tondra Richardson join our Board of Directors,” stated Chamber President & CEO Dr. Velma Trayham. “Her commitment to advancing education and economic empowerment, combined with her leadership and expertise, will bring invaluable perspectives that strengthen the Chamber’s mission to drive innovation and create lasting pathways to financial growth across Arizona.”

BCAZ offers a unique ecosystem designed to meet the holistic needs of small and disadvantaged entrepreneurs. This ecosystem comprises dedicated people and innovative programs that support small business growth through educational offerings, experienced program managers, business experts, and in-house resource partners. These layers of support are provided within a dynamic resource hub—a one-stop shop for advancement and sustainability where entrepreneurs can access training programs, capital support, and minority certification assistance.

“I am thrilled to step into this role and work alongside remarkable leaders across the Valley,” Richardson shares. “Together, we can champion socioeconomic progress and create lasting opportunities for Black business owners throughout Arizona.”

In her role at University of Phoenix, Richardson provides leadership, training, and management for the University’s Office of Educational Equity (OEE) focused on serving the University’s students, alumni, community and alliances. The OEE supports students and faculty year-round with programs like the annual Inclusive Leadership Summit, Educational Equity webinar series, and an internal offering for staff and faculty, The Inclusive Café.

Richardson has over 20 years of experience in higher education and is certified by the National Diversity Council as a Diversity and Inclusion Practitioner and completed Cornell University's Diversity and Inclusion certificate program. In addition to being a diversity and inclusion practitioner, her areas of expertise include conflict resolution and risk management with over 15 years of experience in the Office of Dispute Management at University of Phoenix where she is also certified by the Association of Title IX Administrators as a Title IX Coordinator.

Richardson currently serves on the Board for the Diversity Leadership Alliance and chairs the organization’s Education Committee for the Diversity Leadership Alliance. Richardson was awarded the Diversity Leadership Alliance & Arizona Society for Human Resource Management Volunteer of the Year Award, and most recently was selected as an honoree of the 2022 class of leading women in higher education by the publication, Diverse: Issues In Higher Education.

Richardson has been an employee with the University of Phoenix since 2001 and earned her Master of Business Administration from the University in 2008.

About University of Phoenix

University of Phoenix innovates to help working adults enhance their careers and develop skills in a rapidly changing world. Flexible schedules, relevant courses, interactive learning, skills-mapped curriculum for our bachelor’s and master’s degree programs and a Career Services for Life® commitment help students more effectively pursue career and personal aspirations while balancing their busy lives. For more information, visit phoenix.edu.