Neal Richardson

Hometown: Saint Louis, MO 

Neal Richardson is the Executive Director of the St. Louis Development Corporation (“SLDC”). SLDC is the economic development agency for the City of St. Louis and reports directly to the Mayor. 

Richardson leads the agency’s economic development activities City-wide aimed at creating equitable economic opportunity for all residents, businesses, and neighborhoods to thrive. 

Neal earned his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Master of Business Administration from Webster University.

Prior to joining SLDC, Richardson’s professional experience included over 15 years in the real estate finance and community development industry.

In his previous role as Vice President, Director of Business Impact for U.S. Bank Community Development Corporation, Neal led a team that was responsible for developing and enhancing investment products to close economic gaps for women, people of color, and low-income communities. Through his leadership, the Business Impact Group increased U.S. Bank investments in Black banks, businesses, and communities by over $100 million in 2020.

In his role as Assistant Director of New Market & Historic Tax Credit Investments at U.S. Bank CDC, Neal led a team that managed over 350 tax credit financing investments ranging from $5-50 million, totaling over $5 billion targeted for low-income communities.

His passion for improving the opportunities available to underprivileged youth, and building stronger communities, coupled with his expertise in real estate finance, has motivated Neal to co-found Dream Builders 4 Equity. Dream Builders is a nonprofit organization that aims to build social equity through financial equity by teaching youth economic principles to escape poverty, build wealth, and invest in their future through project-based learning of real estate development in low-income communities. Since launching the program in November 2016, they have served over 100 students, and contributed over $450,000 in direct financial benefit to the students in the form of scholarship, employment, and book sale proceeds. In addition, they have invested over $760,000 in home improvements and repairs in highly-distressed communities through the revitalization of vacant properties and major home repairs.

Involved in the broader issues of youth development and social justice, Neal is a member of:

• FOCUS St. Louis Board of Directors – Member (2020 – Present)

• City Gardens Montessori School – Chair of Coalition of Neighborhood Diversity and Housing Justice

• Boys & Girls Club of Greater St. Louis – Friends Group (2014 – 2016)

• InspireSTL – Mentor (2014 – 2016)

Awards:

• John D. Buckner Citizen of The Year – Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated, Epsilon Lambda Chapter

• 40 Under 40 – St. Louis Business Journal

• Dreamer Award – LaunchCode

• Rising Star in Community Building – Community Builders Network

• Power 100 – Delux Magazine

• Young Game Changer – Webster University

Publications:

● Dream Builders $4M investment in Hyde Park – St. Louis Business Journal

● Plan to Prosper – The Washington Post

● Dream Builders constructs hope for at-risk youth – KSDK Channel 5

● St. Louis Character: Neal Richardson builds a better community for at-risk kids – St. Louis Business Journal

● Owning the dream and remembering Rev. Dr. King – St. Louis Post-Dispatch

● From Surviving to Thriving – Delta Sky Magazine