Jo White’s life experiences shaped her resolve to overcome adversity, leading her to found Saving Our Youth to equip at-risk youth with the tools to do the same. Growing up during the Jim Crow era, she witnessed others who stood against injustice — acts of courage that instilled the drive and determination that have guided her throughout her life. 

Early in her career, White faced a turning point when she said she learned she was about to be denied a promotion due to her race. Refusing to accept this injustice, she contacted the home office. Her advocacy secured her the promotion she had earned. When she excelled in the role, the supervisor who had initially overlooked her offered an apology. 

“I was timid back then,” she said. “But that experience threw me into a different phase of my life.” 

White grew up in New Jersey but spent three years in Richmond as a child. During that time, she met her future husband and, although she returned to New Jersey, they stayed in touch. When they married, White moved back to Richmond. Determined to provide their daughter with an education that would prepare her for college, White succeeded — her daughter is now a physician specializing in infectious diseases. 

With a successful sales career underway, White began making moves to start her own company. 

“When I moved to Richmond, I took a sales position with a home improvement company,” she said. “I was selling so much and making them rich, so I decided to start my own construction business.” 

Years later, she met Tommy Cox, the man who inspired her to found Saving Our Youth. He was in a program for formerly incarcerated people and needed a place to live. White offered a room in one of her houses in Highland Park. Her office was in the building, so she would often see him. 

“I would see him doing positive things,” White said. “He was so passionate about making sure others didn’t follow in his path.” 

White knew she wanted to give back but wasn’t sure how. After talking with Cox, the two decided to start a company together. They first considered focusing on homelessness before turning their attention to youth in Highland Park and nearby neighborhoods. Saving Our Youth became a shared passion: Cox worked to keep young people out of the school-to-prison pipeline, while White concentrated on education and job training. 

“Tommy wanted the youth who were getting into trouble to stay out of trouble. My goal was to get students to go to college, but when college isn’t the best thing for them, it’s better to help them get into trade schools or straight into work after high school,” White said. 

Where do you live?

Henrico. 

What’s your educational background?

Seton Hall for one year, but I received a certificate in accounting from Essex County College. 

What is Saving Our Youth?

We are an organization dedicated to supporting at-risk youth in the Richmond area through educational and community service opportunities so they can grow and become productive citizens. 

What is Saving Our Youth’s mission?

Saving Our Youth is committed to helping the youth of Richmond and the surrounding areas make informed decisions about what to do after high school. 

What areas does Saving Our Youth serve?

Primarily, Highland Park, but we have youth from surrounding areas. 

How is Saving Our Youth funded?

Primarily through individual donors, with a few grants and two fundraisers. We have two major fundraisers every year. One in May for summer. This year, it funded our trip to New York City. Another year, we went to the beach. It’s so incredible to see the kids have these experiences. One 17-year-old kid had never seen the beach. 

What organizations are partnering with Saving Our Youth?

We partnered with Groundforce USA. 

What programs does Saving Our Youth run?

We provide higher education to support those who want to go to college and juvenile rearing for troubled youth who may be headed down the wrong path. We also work with Community 50/50 to provide services. 

What’s the biggest problem facing the youth you serve?

The parents. The kids go home to a bad home environment. There’s no reinforcement of what we’re trying to teach them. It’s often at odds with what they’re teaching in the program. 

How can we address generational poverty and trauma?

We prepare [youth] and let them know they are worth more than people think. We let them know that they have to be twice as good at whatever they do. We stress education and trade school. We also try to instill in them that they are worthy — that they can be the ones to bring the family out of their current situation. 

Tell me about your upcoming gala.

On Friday, Dec. 13, [the gala] will begin with a silent auction and live auction and cocktails at 3:30 p.m. We’ll have a dinner buffet at 5 p.m., and the program kicks off at 6 p.m. It will be held in the Guzman Community Center at the Faison Center. Individual tickets are $25, and tables are $225. Please visit our website for more information. 

How do you start the day?

I wake up at about 5 a.m. I look over my checklist that includes my plan for the day. 

What do you do in your downtime?

What’s that? I’m very involved in my church. Sometimes, I’ll watch “The Chosen” on TV. 

What is a quote that inspires you?

“I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel,” by Maya Angelou. 

Who has influenced you the most in your life?

My older sister. She filled in for my abusive mother. She was the stable person in my life. 

What is a book that has influenced you?

“The Shack,” by William P. Young. 

What’s next?

I’m looking forward to retirement in two years and moving to Tampa to be with my daughter. I’m [also] preparing the next Saving Our Youth executive director.