The Richmond Peace Education Center, a nonprofit dedicated to promoting peaceful education, offers workshops on conflict resolution, trauma healing, gun violence reform, and restorative justice. Through its advocacy for nonviolence, the center works to address harmful environments and reduce the use of violence, fostering safer and more peaceful communities.

According to the Virginia State Police Crime in Virginia 2023 report, the overall violent crime rate in the state increased by 1.3% in 2023 from 2022.

However, the report found that hate crimes increased by 49% in 2023. Hate crimes motivated by race or ethnicity bias made up 66.4%, and hate crimes involving bias against religion surged by 177.8%, according to the report. These troubling statistics underscore the importance of organizations such as the Richmond Peace Education Center that are dedicated to addressing the root causes of violence.

Darian Wyatt, the current board chair of the Peace Center, was born in Petersburg but spent much of her childhood outside the Richmond area as a self-described military brat.

Her family returned to the region after the sudden death of her stepfather in Austin, Texas, and she went on to attend Cosby High School.

Wyatt joined the Peace Center as a high school student to build peace and inclusivity. Then, as a student at the University of Richmond, she was a Deborah L. Marsh Fellow.

The community service-based fellowship allowed her to continue her peace advocacy work at the Virginia Center for Inclusive Communities, which addresses academic and workplace prejudices. Her focus remains the Peace Center.

“I love that the Peace Center takes a stand against different forms of violence like gun violence, advocacy and activism against bigotry,” she said. “We do peace advocacy, teaching people how to live in peace and stand against different forms of violence.”

Communities recognize the need for peace. According to its 2024 Community Health Assessment (CHA) report, the Richmond and Henrico Health Districts (RHHD) surveyed residents who identified violence as an aspect of community life that is not going well. The organization has prioritized community safety and violence prevention based on its findings.

Wyatt married at 23, inspired by her stepfather’s passing to embrace life’s uncertainties. The couple got engaged during the COVID-19 pandemic but postponed their wedding until gathering limits were lifted, allowing them to celebrate with 140 guests.

“My wife and I are big on the concept of holding on to the person who wants the same things when you know it’s right,” she said.

In their free time, the couple enjoys spending time with friends, dining out, and rock climbing. Their shared passion for art fills their apartment with painting supplies, and they often spend time painting together.

Meet the ardent advocate for peace who loves crossword puzzles and this week’s Personality, Darian Wyatt:

Occupation: Communities in Schools site coordinator with Communities in Schools of Petersburg.

Date and place of birth: May 23 in Petersburg.

Where I live now: Tuckahoe.

Education: Bachelor’s degree in geography with an anthropology minor, University of Richmond.

Family: Wife, Jayla, a dog named Harper and two cats named Sushi and Bobinsky.

What is the Richmond Peace Education Center (RPEC): We are a grassroots non-profit organization dedicated to building and advocating for peaceful, affirming spaces that connect our community members through the shared values of bettering our community and creating a more just and equitable world.

RPEC’s mission: To build just, inclusive, nonviolent communities through education and action. 

Founder: Steve Hodges took on the task of forming RPEC in 1980 to support peace and peaceful approaches to conflict. He represented a group of representatives from local religious institutions and activism groups that included First Unitarian, Richmond Friends Meeting, Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom and the Presbyterian School of Christian Education.

Why was RPEC founded: To protest the nuclear arms race.

The RPEC has evolved to take a stand against other forms of violence, harm, and injustice in our society.

When and why I became affiliated with RPEC: I knew I wanted to be a part of a group that shared my values of community building, peace, connection, and inclusivity when I joined RPEC in 2015.

When elected board chair: Summer of 2022.

Why I accepted the position: I believe RPEC is an important organization with a rich history of amazing work in our community. As board chair, I can do more to serve the organization.

No. 1 goal or project as board chair: To expand our programming and opportunities for people to get involved with us.

Strategy for achieving goal or project: Planning more events as we work our way back from the big shutdown of the pandemic.

Our biggest challenge: Trying to expand our capacity as an organization that functions with an all-volunteer model.

Peaceful action is: People coming together to advocate for and enact change nonviolently.

How RPEC makes a difference in Richmond: We’ve helped bring large groups of people from different backgrounds and walks of life together to advocate for a common goal to better our community. One example is the organizing and advertising efforts for the Richmond March for Our Lives rally on March 24, 2018. I delivered a speech to the 5,000-plus attendees on behalf of RPEC.

How to help RPEC with its mission: Visit our website, rpec.org, to learn more and join our email list.

An ideal peaceful Richmond looks like: It’s a city where everyone feels safe and supported by their community, can live life without violence, discrimination, and the hindrance of socioeconomic inequalities that affect well-being.

Upcoming events: We kick off our new speaker series on Feb. 11 at 6:30 p.m. with Dr. Mark Hayes, a Hampton Roads-based community activist and advocate. He’ll talk about the importance of saving lives as we combat gun violence in our communities.

How I start the day: I contemplate what I can do to sow seeds of positivity in the lives of the people I come in contact with.

The three words that best describe me: Lively, kind-hearted and adventurous.

Dream dinner party guest: Celine Dion or Michelle Obama.

Top three on my musical playlist: Celine Dion, Amerie and Fiona Apple.

Something I love to do that most people would never imagine: Rock climbing!

A quote that inspires me: “To whom much is given, much is required.”

Most influential person: My mother.

Most influential book: “I Am Malala” by Malala Yousafzai.

What I’m reading now: “When Breath Becomes Air” by Paul Kalanithi. My takeaway from it so far is that sometimes life throws curveballs and poses big challenges, but through it all, you can find comfort in the hope and faith you possess.

Next goal: To keep finding ways I can be of service to the community.