Richard Darryl Nichols

Richard was born in Gary, Indiana to Joseph and Zeola Nichols. He is the eighth child of 12 children. He graduated from Roosevelt High School. He received his Bachelor and master's degrees from Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana. He majored in journalism and Secondary Education. He taught school in Gary before moving to Los Angeles in 1981. He taught in Los Angeles Unified School District for 5 years. After getting his Specialist Certificate in Severely Handicapped from California State University Dominquez Hills, he became a Special Education Teacher for 32 years. He retired from Los Angeles County Office of Education on June 29, 2018, with 40 years as an educator.

Richard was initiated into Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc. on February 22, 1975. He received his 45 years pin in July 2020. He was an International Photographer for the fraternity. He is an active member of Pi Rho Chapter in San Bernardino. He is the chairperson for the Voter Registration Drive and co-chairperson for the Blood Drive.

Richard has been the founder and immediate past president of the San Gabriel Valley Bid Whist Club for 28 years. They have given over $25,000 to high school seniors.

Richard is a staff photographer for the Inland Valley News in Upland, Ca. He is also a Celebrity Photographer. He has covered a variety of social, political and religious events. He has been on the red carpets of the NAACP Image Awards, Friends of Fuller Gordy Bowling Tournament, Screen Actors Guild Awards, Heroes and Legend Awards, setting up of the Grammy Awards red carpet, Celebration of Gospel, BET Awards, Gospel Goes to Beverly Hills, The Stellar Awards, Judge Mablean's Honoring Unsung Fathers Awards and many others.

Richard is a cohost on The Sande Rose Show, a Gospel Internet Radio Show. The show won 2022 Stellar Awards for Internet Radio Station of the Year. Currently, the station is nominated for Internet Radio Station of the Year for the Texas Gospel Music Awards.

Richard is a member of the San Gabriel Valley West Covina Branch of the NAACP. He is Membership Chairman and is on the Education Committee.

He is a board member for the Pomona Inland Valley MLK Celebration.

Richard is a member of St Stephen Missionary Baptist Church. He sings tenor in the Senior Choir and is an active member of Rm 205 Sunday School Class. He is the church photographer.

Richard received a Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition from Congresswoman Norma J. Torres on June 18, 2022, for his volunteer efforts to bring the 32nd Annual Juneteenth Celebration to the Pomona Valley Family Jazz and Arts Festival.

Richard and his wife, Wilma have been married for 37 years.