Armeka Richey

Armeka Richey serves as the SummerWorks Program Coordinator. In this role she leads a team of fellows and students in the implementation, evaluation and coordination of programming across the U-M campus and in collaboration with county partners. Summerworks is Washtenaw County’s summer jobs program initiated by MichiganWorks! Southeast and the Washtenaw County Office of Community and Economic Development, which partners with U-M and others to provide young adults with employment, mentorship, and leadership development. Ms. Richey is dedicated to improving outcomes for systemically underserved youth by connecting them to resources, building networks, and creating opportunities for job skills development.

Prior to joining Poverty Solutions, Ms. Richey worked at Engage@EMU, Eastern Michigan University’s community outreach consortium, as a training specialist for the Professional Programs and Training team – supporting professional development and certification for working-class adults. She joined Poverty Solutions in 2019 where she supported the faculty director and provided administrative oversight and event planning for affiliated faculty, staff and students. Ms. Richey is a proud graduate of EMU where she earned both her bachelor’s degree and her Master of Art in Arts Administration.

Armeka experienced poverty first-hand throughout her childhood, and knows the challenges associated with those conditions. She has overcome through hard work, determination, and willingness to seek and accept the support she needed. She is passionate about helping others, has written screenplays to bring attention to social ills and is a volunteer fundraiser for Eastern Michigan University’s M.A.G.I.C. program.