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SAAM Founder
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Richard Boykin
Chief of Staff, Congressman Danny Davis
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Richard Renarda Boykin was born in Jackson, Mississippi. Raised in Chicago, Illinois, Mr. Boykin attended Chicago Vocational High School (CVS), majoring in Electronics. At CVS, Mr. Boykin excelled both academically and athletically. As football team captain in 1985, he received the Bernie O’Brien Most Valuable Player Award, first team all-city honors, and an honorable mention in all-state honors. After graduation in 1986, he accepted a full athletic scholarship to Central State University (CSU) in Wilberforce, Ohio.
While at CSU, Mr. Boykin majored in Political Science, and in 1988, was elected Vice President of the Student Government Association (SGA), following his tenure as Sophomore Class Senator.
Mr. Boykin consistently made the National Dean’s List, and went on to attain the President’s Award for Outstanding Academic Achievement. In 1989, he was named Academic Athlete of the Year and was recognized by Outstanding Young Men of America. In addition, Mr. Boykin was selected as a NAIA First Team Academic All- American, and received numerous other awards and accolades. After earning his BA in 1990, Mr. Boykin returned to Chicago to teach in the Chicago Public Schools for a year. During his role as an educator, Mr. Boykin wrote and published several articles criticizing social promotion.
In 1991, Mr. Boykin began his legal education at the University of Dayton School of Law (UD) in Dayton, Ohio. While at UD he was actively involved with the NAACP and the Omega Missionary Baptist Church.In 1992, he received the prestigious Benjamin H. Logan NAACP Scholarship in recognition of his excellence in legal education. Also, during the same year, he was selected to serve on Capitol Hill under the Lyndon B. Johnson Internship Program for the Office of Representative Bobby L. Rush. In 1993, Mr. Boykin wrote and published a pamphlet entitled “Your Rights Under the Fourth Amendment Against Unreasonable Search and Seizure.” The pamphlet, which was printed through donations from churches, the NAACP, and other civic organizations, has been used to educate citizens about their rights. Currently, there are over 60,000 copies in print in the State of Ohio and a second printing of 50,000 was completed in 2001. In 1994, Mr. Boykin received the American Jurisprudence Award for his exceptional oral advocacy in trial practice. In addition, while at UD, Mr. Boykin worked for the Montgomery County Prosecutor’s Office and served as a Law Clerk for Judge John W. Kessler.
After graduating from UD in 1994, Mr. Boykin was admitted to the Illinois Bar. He was selected as the Congressional Black Caucus Fellow for the Office of Illinois Senator Carol Moseley-Braun. During his year of service to the first African American woman in the United States Senate, Mr. Boykin worked on crucial issues, including welfare reform, police misconduct, and affirmative action. After his tenure with Senator Carol Moseley-Braun, Mr. Boykin served as an independent contract attorney for the Department of Justice.
Since June 1997, Mr. Boykin has been working for Congressman Danny K. Davis (7th District-Illinois)—first, as Legislative Director, and since January 1998, as Chief of Staff. In his current capacity, he oversees 23 staff members, and a $1.5 million budget. In addition, he has been instrumental in the Congressman’s welfare-to work, health care, energy and utility, State of the African American Male, and appropriations accomplishments.
In 1999, Mr. Boykin was selected as John C. Stennis Fellow. The Stennis Fellowship is a unique leadership development experience for senior-level staff on Capitol Hill.
Mr. Boykin has traveled extensively throughout the world on trade and humanitarian missions. Some of the places he has visited include: Senegal, Gambia, London, Belgium, Israel, Germany, Malaysia, Bangkok, Singapore, Brasilia, Salvador, Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Canada, Greece, and Albania.
Mr. Boykin has been featured in various magazines and newspapers, including Ebony (Aug. 1990) (Nov. 1998), Emerge (Aug. 1994), National Law Journal, Student Lawyer, Chicago Sun-Times, and the Chicago Defender.
Since 1997, Mr. Boykin has been licensed as a minister.
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