MEET TERRELL
- Bio - Long Story Short
Terrell Pollard grew up in Coventry Gardens Apartments in Eastern Henrico. Terrell has a long history of advocating for education and healthy youth development. He is often credited with the creation of the Eastern Henrico Recreation Center. Terrell served as one of the youth leaders in a push for the facility in response to lack of resources for youth in Eastern Henrico. The experience set him on a lifelong path for advocacy in the areas of education and youth development. He has a Political Science Degree from VCU and a Master’s in Business Administration with a Concentration in Leadership from Champlain College. While in college, Terrell founded, managed, and taught in an English as a Second Language Program. He also interned at the General Assembly during this time. He is employed by the federal government where he created and manages a diversity and inclusion program. Terrell is the immediate past president of the Henrico NAACP where he successfully led movements to have equity offices created in Henrico Schools and for the County of Henrico. He is currently the Chair of Henrico Too Smart 2 Start (HTS2S) Coalition, he rallies community stakeholders around the issue of youth substance use prevention. He is also the Vice Chair on Henrico County’s Board of Zoning Appeals. On the weekends, Terrell helps his grandmother manage the family store, The Peanut Store. Terrell is running to be elected as the Fairfield District School Board Member. After years of working with families and pushing for policy changes at the School Board and Division Leadership levels, Terrell is ready to make positive changes from the board. He wants the schools of the Fairfield District to be a beacon for educational excellence. He plans to focus on recruiting and retaining more educators and support staff, working more closely with parents, and empowering youth of every age group to reach new heights.
- Proven Track Record
- Chair, Henrico Too Smart 2 Start Coalition
- Program Manager for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, United States Government
- Fairfield District Representative, Henrico County Board of Zoning and Appeals
- President, Henrico County NAACP
- HCPS Health Advisory Board
- HCPS Multilingual Advisory Committee
- Henrico County Multicultural and Faith Advisory Committee
- Henrico County Youth Violence Prevention Sub-Committee
- Hermitage High School Advisory Committee
- Ratcliffe Elementary Community Partner
- Fairfield Middle Community Partner
- Henrico High Community Partner
- Key Accomplishments
- Increased mental health services involvement in responses to student substance use
- Secured funding for college scholarships
- Sponsored student travel and participation in youth leadership training
- Managed a summer teen job program for over 10 years
- Taught ESL, GED, and Citizenship Courses for over 10 years
- Successfully advocated for the establishment of diversity and equity offices at both the county and school levels
- Dedicated over $20,000 in aid during COVID-19
- Expanded STEM education lessons
- Dedicated computers to communities in need
- Supported community gardens
- Hosted numerous town halls to educate youth and parents on the effectiveness of healthy and frequent communication about goal-setting and decision making.
- Hosted numerous town halls to educate youth and parents about protective factors to help offset the impact of adverse childhood experiences.
- Reduced the role of SROs in student discipline
- Accolades
- Local Legend – Honored for exemplary service in the areas of Educational Development, Political Advocacy, and Physical and Mental Health in Henrico County, Virginia by Henrico Alumnae Chapter of Delta Theta Sigma Sorority, Inc. – Apr 2023
- MLK Distinguished Community Service Award – Honored for representing individual families and their concerns with collaborative meetings with Henrico schools’ leaders as well as significantly expanding voter access by the Martin Luther King Jr. Commemoration Association – Jan 2021
- Henrico County NAACP Community Service Award – Honored for significantly expanding voter access and recruiting additional volunteers to help educate voters by NAACP, Henrico County Branch – Aug 2019
- Hometown Hero – Honored for leading a English as a Second Language and Citizenship nonprofit and covering the cost of Naturalization fees of students by Allen & Allen Law Firm – Aug 2013
- Outstanding Community Leader – Honored for founding and leading an English as a Second Language nonprofit by Asociacion Hispano-American De Richmond – May 2011
- Honored by Henrico County Government for being a catalyst for the creation of the Eastern Henrico Recreation Center – 2011
A picture with the Honorable Frank Thornton
- Biography
Terrell Pollard grew up in Coventry Gardens of the Newbridge Village area, walking distance from where the School Board currently meets. He is a graduate of Highland Springs High School. While in school, Terrell Pollard performed well academically and was very active in the community. While in high school, Terrell worked at his grandfather’s store, The Peanut Store. During the summers, Terrell worked for Henrico Therapeutic Recreation with children with developmental and/or emotional disabilities. When Terrell Pollard was 15, he wrote to the newly elected at that time Fairfield District Representative, the Honorable Frank J. Thornton, to have a community center built in eastern Henrico County. Terrell Pollard’s letter is credited as the catalyst for years of advocacy by the Eastern Henrico Community Action Committee, and an ultimate cause for the construction of the $14 million Eastern Henrico Recreation Center. The experience solidified Terrell Pollard’s love for advocating for youth in Henrico.
After high school, Terrell Pollard attended Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) where he majored in Political Science. While in college, Terrell worked for Henrico Mental Health’s Connect Program where he taught Life Skills, Conflict Resolution, and Resilience to youth in the neighborhood in which he grew up.
After college, Terrell Pollard launched The Bridge Community Development Corporation (The Bridge CDC) which offered English as a Second Language classes as well as Citizenship classes through a partnership with VCU. The nonprofit offered volunteer and internship opportunities to numerous students of VCU and other area colleges and universities. The Bridge CDC would grow to have 40 volunteers and 5 locations including GED programs in economically disadvantaged communities in Henrico and Richmond. For over 10 years, Terrell would teach English, Citizenship, GED, and/or serve as a reading coach in the child care program of The Bridge CDC.
Terrell Pollard would go on to work for the federal government and serve as a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion program manager. In addition to working full-time, Terrell served as the Chair of Henrico Too Smart 2 Start Coalition, which provides youth with substance use prevention activities, leadership skills, and scholarship opportunities. As Chair, Terrell would meet with school leaders to change key policies surrounding student health and student conduct. He would also become the President of the Henrico NAACP, where he led in the launching of the branch’s and one of the area’s few ACT-SO Programs, a Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) and Arts program dedicated to helping youth develop STEM and Arts skills. The program is responsible for awarding youth for exhibiting their gifts and covering the costs of students participation in state-wide STEM competitions. As President, Terrell Pollard was also integral in helping the school revamp key policies. He met with school leaders to advocate on behalf of families that sought the assistance of the Henrico NAACP, and empowered youth to advocate for themselves in meetings with school leaders.
Due to the varied and unique needs of Henrico’s youth, Terrell has been compelled to further serve the county by seeking the Fairfield District’s seat on the School Board. Terrell Pollard’s experience as a mentor, tutor, teacher, and advocate has uniquely prepared him to help the district’s students reach new heights. Terrell will ensure the district’s schools are safer for youth, parents, and teachers. He will make certain Fairfield District’s schools are fully staffed with qualified instructors. He will significantly expand the number of teachers, instructional assistants, counselors, and mental health professionals working in the school. Terrell believes our school division needs to be overhauled and needs significant investment. He sees schools as a cornerstone of society that we cannot afford to short change. A few key investments involve the establishment of universal Pre-K to help our families financially in response to the exploding cost of childcare as well as ensure our Pre-K students start their K-12 career on the right foot. Terrell will also work to have free and significantly reduced cost after school and summer programs. It is important that our youth explore and try new things in a safe and supportive environment.
Under Terrell’s leadership, the schools will greatly improve in identifying youth for advanced courses, vocational, and specialty programs and eliminate barriers for Fairfield District’s students attending advanced courses and specialty programs. Terrell will work tirelessly and innovatively to have the district’s schools respond to the unique needs of students challenged with housing insecurity, mental health concerns, developmental disabilities, and/or language barriers. He will also work tirelessly and innovatively to collaborate with parents in order to help strengthen the village that is serving as the foundation for Henrico’s youth. It is important that we significantly improve in the areas of literacy, student attendance, student conflict resolution, and graduation rates. It is also important that we are not only addressing challenges, but empowering our youth to have expectations for themselves and persistently pursue their goals. It takes a village to achieve such things, and Terrell Pollard is wholeheartedly committed to lead in this effort.
- In the News
2023
An open letter from Henrico School Board candidate Terrell Pollard
Activate Your Wellness Henrico – 1 minute video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8VoIxKmOT0M
Activate Your Wellness Henrico – 5 minute video (Terrell’s appearance at 02:00 to 03:00)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=adE69Q-7X_U&t=31s
Otieno’s family, attorneys speak after public release of Central State video
Learn your tenant rights at Housing Expo this weekend
Virginia education board punts new history standards after harsh criticism
Help select top Henrico Too Smart 2 Start anti-substance use video
Henrico non-profit organization launches social media contest
https://www.nbc12.com/2023/03/01/henrico-non-profit-organization-launches-social-media-contest/
ELECTION 2023: Five candidates vie for Fairfield District school board seat
VA Groups Aim to Reduce Youth Tobacco Use
2022
Henrico supervisors approve revised reapportionment plan
https://www.henricocitizen.com/articles/henrico-supervisors-approve-revised-reapportionment-plan/
More Than 3 Million Youths Use Tobacco Products Across U.S.
https://wydaily.com/news/2022/11/29/more-than-3-million-youths-use-tobacco-products-across-u-s/
2020
Massive march in Henrico aims to ‘make the world a better place’
Need a ride to the polls?
https://richmondfreepress.com/news/2020/oct/29/need-ride-polls/
Tackling Teen Vaping in Henrico
https://easternstates.heart.org/tackling-teen-vaping-in-henrico/
2015
With help from VCU class, five Richmond-area immigrants sworn in as U.S. citizens
https://news.vcu.edu/article/with_help_from_vcu_class_five_richmondarea_immigrants_sworn_in
2013
Eastern Henrico Recreation Center ‘a gem’ to community
The Allen Law Firm Announces the Winners of the 2013 Allen & Allen Hometown Heroes Award
2010
SHOP RVA
https://rvamag.com/politics/shop-rva.html
2009
A new push to shop local
Endorsements
13th District, VA Senate (Candidate)
I am delighted to endorse Terrell Pollard for Henrico School Board of the Fairfield District. As a native of Henrico County and a lifelong advocate for youth, Terrell has developed the relationships and skills needed to effectively address many of our schools’ challenges and to help our schools excel. I know Terrell will bring a strong work ethic, passion, and a commitment to working with families to the seat.
Henrico County Commonwealth’s Attorney
I am pleased to endorse Terrell Pollard for School Board. Over my many years in Henrico, I have seen Terrell’s commitment to improving our communities, supporting our youth and working for the best public schools possible. I know, as a member of the School Board, he will be dedicated and passionate to making sure all our children have the opportunity to succeed with top notch, modern public schools.
Henrico School Board Vice Chair & Varina Representative
I am thrilled to endorse Terrell Pollard for the School Board seat in the Fairfield District. Terrell’s roots in the community run deep, and his lifelong commitment to education and youth advocacy is outstanding. Terrell’s experience as a mentor, tutor, teacher, and advocate has uniquely prepared him to lead Fairfield District schools to develop and catapult the districts youth. His love for children is visible, and he will nurture our district’s youth. Terrell Pollard is the leader our students and community deserve.
Henrico County Sheriff
I am honored to endorse Terrell Pollard for the school board seat representing the Fairfield district. Our children need a servant leader who undoubtedly shows an unwavering support for our community. Terrell's dynamic leadership has been evident in his many years of advocacy and service. I know, as a graduate of henrico county public schools, he will be dedicated in ensuring that our youth have a limitless future ahead.
Fairfield District, Board of Supervisors
I am proud to endorse Terrell Pollard for the School Board seat in the Fairfield District. When I met Terrell, he was advocating for youth and his community. Over the years, he has proven to be a committed and effective advocate. Terrell is a great example of how investing in our youth and encouraging them to contribute their gifts to their community benefits us all. Terrell will make a great representative of schools in the Fairfield District and Henrico County Public Schools at large.
