Honoring Dr. Rose

RPA was founded in 2021 by college professor, Dr. Nicole Richards Diop, in honor of her late mother, Dr. Rose Helen Merrell. Before passing away from pancreatic cancer in August 2020, Dr. Rose was an educational trailblazer, who served communities in New York, Pennsylvania, Jamaica, and the Navajo Nation. With the help of an impressive and passionate team, Dr. Nicole aims to expand her mother’s powerful educational legacy to Africa. RPA is led and supported by college faculty, coordinators, and former RPA program attendees.

In Loving Memory

Dr. Nicole Richards Diop (she/her)

Executive Director

Dr. Richards Diop is Founder and Executive Director of RPA. She holds a BA in English Literature from the University of Pennsylvania, an MA in African American Studies from Columbia University, and a Ph.D. in American Studies and Ethnicity from the University of Southern California.

Moustapha Diop (he/him)

Director of Cultural Events

Moustapha Diop is fluent in French, Wolof, with working knowledge of Diola. He is the leader for cultural/site visits and travel coordination.

Shantanique Johnson EdD Candidate (she/her)

Director of Recruitment and Planning

Shantanique is an EdD Candidate in Counseling Education.

Mark Gomes MA (he/him)

Director of History Programming

An MA graduate in History from Iona College, Mark serves as an adjunct professor for Rockland Community College and Hudson Community College in African and US History.