At the age of 24, Richard co-founded the North Limestone Community Development Corporation, the first place-based community development corporation in Lexington. After serving on the board for a short period, Richard transitioned into the sole staff member – eventually growing the staff to three in two-and-a-half years. During that time, Richard launched several programs including a multi-unit affordable housing program, multiple neighborhood planning initiatives, the creation of new public spaces and public art, and much more. In only two-and-a-half years, Richard helped raise more than $2.2M for the North Limestone CDC, including funding from the Knight Foundation, Kresge Foundation, ArtPlace America, the National Endowment for the Arts, and first-ever city government funding for a CDC in Lexington.

Richard also served as the Executive Director of the Chamber Music Festival of Lexington for 5 years. Richard was the visiting curator for the Downtown Arts Center in Lexington, as well as serving as a consultant for LexArts, Central Kentucky Youth Orchestras, and many more. Richard is most proud of having helped found North Limestone MusicWorks, the first El Sistema-inspired program in Kentucky, which provides daily no-cost group music instruction to over 40 students from Arlington Elementary in Lexington.