COUNCILOR RYSHEEMA DIXON
Wilmington, DE
Service: AmeriCorps
Twenty-nine year old Wilmington resident Rysheema Dixon has made it her life’s work to give back and serve her communities throughout the state of Delaware. Born in Philadelphia, Ms. Dixon has lived in Delaware since the age of 14. Through her on-the-ground work in the community with both her consulting business and earlier work with Public Allies Delaware serving with the Wilmington HOPE Commission, Ms. Dixon has developed a strong understanding of the current needs and issues facing Wilmington residents.
In 2011 after graduating from the University of Delaware and completing two terms of service with AmeriCorps, she established a business of her own called RD Innovative Planning. Through her company she strives to educate and assist community members in advocating for equitable access to resources and affordability of services, thereby fostering a healthy and sustainable environment. In the short period of time, RD Innovative Planning has been able to collaborate with multiple organizations and coalitions on projects such as solutions to issues of healthcare with Henrietta Johnson and Nemours, workforce development through youth employment, with Wilmington HOPE Commission and Henrietta Johnson Medical Center, early childhood development with Center City Wilmington Readiness Team, and further developing collaborations and partnerships in Northeast and Eastside.
In 2012, Ms. Dixon acquired a Master of Arts degree in Sustainable Development/International Policy and Management from SIT Graduate Institute, World Learning in Washington, DC. She returned to Delaware with new skills and knowledge to continue working “on the ground,” where she first realized her life’s purpose to serve.
Her energy, hard work and dedication has led her to be recognized as one of the most influential young women in Delaware. She was honored as one of the Top 36 Women in Business in December 2014 by Delaware Today magazine and one of the “Top 12 Women in Delaware Shaping the Technology Scene” in 2014 by Technically Delaware. Currently, Ms. Dixon serves as Chair of the South Wilmington Planning Network and Executive Director for Healthy Kids Delaware in addition to serving on several coalitions/boards in New Castle County such as Eastside Rising, Center City Wilmington Readiness Team, and PHD Ministries Love-in-Deed Advisory Board.
Ms. Dixon has dedicated herself to creating economic opportunities through entrepreneurship throughout Wilmington, and is excited for the opportunity to further serve her community in City Council.