A new national initiative is forming with the goal of placing a copy of the book Never Lost into the hands of every student attending a Historically Black College or University in the United States. Authored by Dr. W. Franklyn Richardson, the book examines how faith, community, and moral responsibility have sustained people through generations of challenge and change. The initiative targets the more than 300,000 students currently enrolled at HBCUs across the nation.
The effort is based on the conviction that college years represent a critical season of formation, where students shape their understanding of identity, purpose, and responsibility. By providing the book during this time, the initiative aims to offer historical grounding and a framework for thoughtful leadership before habits solidify and before history feels distant or abstract. The book reflects on how shared values are formed, carried forward, and lived out, especially during periods marked by uncertainty and transition.
This initiative matters because it represents a direct investment in the intellectual and moral formation of future leaders at a pivotal moment. HBCUs have historically served as incubators for leadership and community advancement, and equipping their students with resources that explore enduring values and historical perspective can strengthen their capacity to navigate complex challenges. The potential impact extends beyond individual students to the communities they will eventually lead and serve, influencing the broader societal fabric.
The program invites participation from individuals, families, corporations, foundations, and institutions through bulk sponsorships, with each contribution directly supporting book distribution to campuses nationwide. Supporters are encouraged to consider the long-term impact of placing formative resources into the hands of emerging leaders. The vision is national in scope but personal in outcome, aiming to equip students with perspective, purpose, and hope as they prepare to shape the future.
Never Lost is scheduled for release on February 3, 2026, from Wharton Curtis Press and is currently available for preorder at https://NeverLostBook.com. The distribution initiative underscores a belief in the power of timely resources to influence leadership development during a definitive period of growth and exploration for students at historically significant institutions.
