This past June, HUD Great Plains Regional Administrator Ulysses Clayborn delivered remarks to a rural housing summit held in Hannibal, Missouri. During that engagement he addressed lenders, non-profits, service providers and elected officials working to improve their communities’ housing options – and among those attendees was Xavier Richardson, a ninth grader from 24 miles down Highway 61 between Hannibal and Quincy, Illinois. Not your usual housing conference attendee.

On the outside, Xavier is the quintessential “every kid”. He is tall and thin – with a charming smile. Athletic but musical, self-deprecating but confident, reflective, imaginative, curious and beyond all, he is deeply selfless.

But what lies beneath his boyish exterior is a remarkable young man, already much more mature and accomplished than those of us in life’s later stages. Xavier, being ever the curious person, had seen a news story about the housing summit and told his mother, Christine Richardson, that he would like to attend so that he could learn more. His mom obliged and fortunately – this led to a chance meeting with Regional Administrator Clayborn.

Xavier notes that he is, “a little shy – usually not the first one to raise his hand in the classroom.” But true to his servant-leader demeanor, he is also the one that assisted his Spanish teacher in writing a grant that helped them to purchase two new iPads for the classroom. Or that he is the kid that jumped at the opportunity to enter an essay contest where he covered the acclaimed Tuskegee Airmen, that was accepted and published because he believes their story of overcoming racism while serving our nation with valor and distinction, should be told more. This is a young man, who before being old enough to vote, has already founded a “kindness club” to, as he put it, “just spread more kindness.”

He doesn’t seek wealth or fame. And you believe him when he says that. Rather, he wants to be a trilingual pediatrician – one that serves with compassion as a volunteer with the international non-profit, Doctors Without Borders. Keep in mind that while other kids his age are just taking their first steps into the job market at the local fast food or retail shops, that he is currently working on a self-described “housing invention” to help improve energy efficiency in houses and buildings. Certainly, that’s a lot more interesting than the menial jobs that most of us held when we were teenagers. Also, during the cold winter months when Xavier could be forgiven for spending his days playing video games in the warmth of his home, he instead gathered thirty of his classmates to take turns ringing the bell for donations during the holidays. They raised $500 in one day all in a sincere spirit of cheer and happiness.

It is no surprise that he is this way. His mother shared how she and her husband have always just “tagged along” with their son - letting curiosity fuel his learning. Not just to a housing summit as a teenager but to an international manufacturing conference in 2018 – at the age of nine years old no less. Count HUD’s Clayborn as a believer in this curiosity-driven learning style and in the future achievements of this young man.

“We don’t often hear stories about young people like Xavier in the news, but we should,” said HUD’s Clayborn. “HUD and other federal, state and local governments must find a place for young leaders like Xavier in support of our mission as they are the keys to our future success.”

We are at a time in our nation when we are collectively reflecting upon what we want our legacy to be and how history will judge us. Xavier’s early accomplishments, his parents’ support, and the engagement of his fellow classmates and their focus on others rather themselves, just might be the answer. Similar to HUD’s mission to create strong, sustainable, inclusive communities, these young men and women strive to learn more about what they can do for others and then act. Xavier and his friends will no doubt be materially successful someday. I am certain of that – even if that is not their main goal. Their stories will not inspire us because of the material riches they amass but will reflect their compassion and service to those they helped along the way. Xavier’s actions and footsteps in particular will leave an indelible pathway for our children to follow. From his heart’s genuine desire to help others, we are given a powerful lesson in love and fellowship.

Xavier came to Hannibal to learn from us. But in reality, in his curiosity and altruism, he becomes our teacher and an endearing inspiration for our nation’s future.

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