Who we are and why we’re here

Revitalize Richmond is a community-first initiative working to reimagine downtown as a place where people want to live, learn, and gather. Led by Earlham College in partnership with local organizations, this work brings together vision, investment, and momentum to breathe new life into the heart of our city.

This is about more than just buildings. It’s about creating a thriving downtown that reflects the pride, creativity, and potential of Richmond and serves everyone who calls it home.

For Richmond, this means more opportunities, more connections, and a stronger local economy. It means turning vacant storefronts into vibrant businesses, underused parks into destinations, and neglected buildings into homes and gathering places. It’s a long-term investment in quality of life.

For Earlham, this work is about being an institution that supports and contributes to the success of its surrounding community. A stronger downtown helps attract and retain students, provides real-world learning and leadership opportunities, and makes Richmond a more compelling place to live after graduation. It turns proximity into possibility.

This initiative matters because when our downtown thrives, our whole city moves forward. And when Earlham and Richmond rise together, the impact lasts for generations.

How we got here

Downtown Richmond has long been rich in history — and full of untapped potential. Through planning, partnerships, and listening to our community, we’ve developed a comprehensive strategy to restore downtown as a place people want to be.

Meet the team

Dakota Collins

Director of community relations and Revitalize Richmond

Dakota serves as the director of community relations at Earlham and leads the Revitalize Richmond initiative. In this role, he oversees the strategic vision, coordination, and implementation of the multi-year downtown revitalization effort, working closely with community partners, developers, and local organizations to bring shared goals to life.

A Richmond native and Earlham graduate, Dakota brings a unique dual perspective to the work, grounded in a deep love for his hometown and a strong commitment to the College’s role as an anchor institution. His dedication to public service and community development began in high school and has since spanned multiple sectors, with a consistent focus on building bridges and creating opportunity.

Through Revitalize Richmond, Dakota is focused on making downtown a vibrant, welcoming destination for residents, students, and visitors alike. His leadership is guided by a belief that revitalization must be collaborative, intentional, and rooted in the values of place, people, and possibility.

Eva Marotta

Associate director of community relations

Eva is the associate director of community relations at Earlham College, where she works to strengthen connections between the College and Richmond. In addition to supporting the Revitalize Richmond initiative, her work includes coordinating local partnerships, developing collaborative programming, and assisting other campus departments engage with the broader community.

An Earlham graduate and longtime Richmond resident, Eva first came to the city in 2019 and it quickly became home. As a steadfast advocate for community-based work and a former Bonner Scholar, she saw the power of intentionally placing college resources in the community and developed a deep appreciation for the work of local nonprofits. That experience continues to shape her approach today: rooted in relationships, guided by community strengths, and focused on amplifying work that is already in motion. Eva continues to stay involved in the community beyond Earlham through volunteer work and board service.

She is currently pursuing a Master of Arts in Peace and Social Transformation from Earlham School of Religion, a natural extension of her passion for helping communities thrive and the belief that this happens when empowerment, connection, and culturally informed support are prioritized in development efforts. She believes the futures of Richmond and Earlham are intertwined, and that collaborative growth is one of the most powerful tools for creating positive and lasting change. Eva believes the Revitalize Richmond initiative is playing an important role in that growth by building on existing momentum to bring new energy to downtown, energy she hopes will ripple through every corner of the city.

John Przybysz

Director of small business success

A lifelong Richmond resident, John Przybysz brings a deep commitment to his hometown and a strong background in client relations, business development, and strategic marketing. With an MBA from Indiana Wesleyan University, he most recently served as a marketing specialist for Reid Health, where he led promotional strategy across service lines and managed campaign development. In addition to his professional roles, Przybysz also started and runs a small family business, giving him a practical perspective on the day-to-day challenges and opportunities faced by local entrepreneurs.

In his new role, Przybysz will lead efforts to support small business growth in downtown Richmond. He will advise entrepreneurs, foster partnerships, coordinate programming, and work alongside community and regional partners to build a thriving downtown business ecosystem. The newly created position is funded through the Revitalize Richmond grant program, in partnership with local organizations.