The Heart of the Founder

Pastor Richard “Richie” Patterson III — Founder, Builders of People Initiative

Growing Up in a House of Sanctuary

From a young age, Pastor Richie Patterson understood two things: the power of words and the responsibility to care for people. Growing up, he dreamed of becoming a journalist, captivated by the idea that writing and communication could shape lives. At just twelve years old, he already knew that writing sparked something inside of him.

Richie was raised in a home where kindness was not a concept; it was a lifestyle. His house served as a community safe haven. Women who were homeless, abused, or in crisis knew they could knock on the door and receive clothing, kindness, prayer, and dignity.

The example came from his mother, Elder Joan Ivory, who spent weekends visiting women in shelters, bringing toiletries, gifts, and practical life items, and speaking hope into their lives. This is what Richie grew up watching and breathing in: compassion in motion.

“Where Are the Men?” — A Personal Commitment

One of his most vivid memories is standing at community events, watching his mother cook, clean, and serve while many others sat back. He remembers asking himself, “Where are the men?”

In that moment, he quietly made a promise: he would always be present. He would show up for the community the way he would show up for his mother. That commitment to stand in the gap for others was cultivated in church, but it quickly spread beyond the four walls and into the community at large.

Early Leadership — A Calling Revealed at 19

The seeds of mentorship were planted early. At just nineteen years old, Richie was already leading a young men’s cell group. For three years straight, he took them to a buffet every week. Around those tables, they talked about manhood, identity, responsibility, and mentorship.

These weekly gatherings were not official programs; they were lifelines. They laid the foundation for the mentorship model he still carries today— walking with young men consistently, not just speaking to them once.

As Richie matured, these experiences shaped his heart as a builder of people: a man who listens deeply, shows up consistently, and believes that kindness, structure, and conversation can change the trajectory of a life.

Signature Kindness Stories

Long before there was a nonprofit name, the Builders of People Initiative was already alive in everyday acts of kindness. These signature stories reveal the heart that now guides the organization.

Life-Changing Moments of Help

These stories show how one act of kindness can ripple through someone’s entire life:

• Bus Fare That Changed a Life: One day, Richie gave a man money for bus fare—a simple act he barely remembered. Months later, the man returned and said, “You changed my life.” That bus ride helped him reach an opportunity that set him on a new path.
• The Drum Set That Launched a Career: Richie left a drum set outside his home so someone else could use it. A neighbor’s son found it, began practicing, and eventually became a full-time professional drummer. What looked like an old instrument became the foundation of a calling.

Kindness That Builds Culture and Community

Kindness for Richie is also about the culture he creates wherever he goes:

• Workplace HERO Recognition: At work, Richie’s consistent kindness, encouragement, and emotional support led to a HERO-style recognition for building a culture of care and kindness. He became known as someone who lifted morale and made people feel safe.
• Snacks and Support for Coworkers: Richie routinely purchased snacks and small gifts for coworkers who were stressed or struggling. These were quiet gestures that reminded people they were seen and valued.

Compassion Toward Families and Emotional Support

Many of Richie’s acts of kindness focused on restoring dignity and hope to families:

• Balloons for Women on Special Days: On Valentine’s Day and Mother’s Day, Richie made it a point to deliver balloons to women who often felt forgotten or overlooked. These moments said, “You matter. You are seen,” especially to those going through difficult seasons.
• Bracelets for Fathers on Father’s Day: He also handed out bracelets to fathers as a reminder that their presence and leadership are important. In a world where men’s emotional struggles often go unnoticed, these simple gifts affirmed identity and responsibility.

Why the Heart of the Founder Matters

Taken together, these stories show a consistent thread: Richie does not just organize programs; he lives a lifestyle of kindness, mentorship, and emotional stewardship. His home, his workplace, his church, and his community have all been transformed by everyday acts of compassion.

This is the heart that now drives the Builders of People Initiative—a nonprofit that formalizes more than twenty years of lived work into structured programs, books, music, mentorship, and kindness-centered initiatives for youth, families, and communities.

The organization is not an idea on paper; it is the natural outgrowth of a life spent building people, one act of kindness at a time.