Empire State University Alum to be Keynote Speaker at DWI Conference

SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY - October 17, 2023 Jawana Richardson ’16, ’18, ’21, a DWI /DWAI advocate, will be the keynote speaker at the Stop-DWI New York Conference, which will be held Oct. 19 and 20 in Utica, NY this week.  

 Richardson, who lives in Nassau County, Long Island, lost her husband Sherman of 20 years in 2014, when he was killed in a hit-and-run crash caused by a drunk and drugged driver. Determined to turn her pain into purpose, Richardson became a driving force behind the fight for stricter legislation on driving while under the influence and traffic violence. 

 She created a powerful petition on www.change.org, demanding tougher DWAI (Driving While Ability Impaired) laws and harsher penalties for those who endanger innocent lives on the road. Her efforts have gathered more than 57,000 supporters. Richardson also became an integral part of the MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving) Victim Impact Panel.  

 On October 15, Richardson walked in the Capital Region Walk Like MADD event at Saratoga Performing Arts Center. She shared her story on the event website. 

 Richardson, who earned her associate and bachelor’s degrees at SUNY Empire, is currently completing her MBA. She is a recipient of this year’s State University of New York Association of Council Members and College Trustees (ACT) award and chosen to receive the Excellence and Student Initiative Scholarship. The scholarship recognizes Richardson's outstanding academic achievements and commitment to her campus and community.  

 As part of the scholarship, ACT donated $250 to a nonprofit organization of Richardson's choice. Richardson split and doubled the donation between MADD NY and STOP DWI-NY.