Daytonian of the Week: Nicole Pritchett


What do you do?

I am the executive director of Hope Road Organization, a nonprofit youth advocacy organization. We dedicate ourselves to empowering the youth and young adults in our community to make positive life choices that enable them to maximize their personal potential.

If you had an alter ego, what would it be?

A poet. When I find the time, I do it, but my work in the organization is primary to me. I try to use it sometimes in Hope Road to encourage and challenge the youth in our programs.

What do you love about life in Dayton?

The challenge of working with the youth and taking advantage of the opportunities to help them gain discipline and direction. Dayton has a rich history. I love the strength of its people and the love in their hearts. Dayton is resilient.

How and why did you get involved with your nonprofit?

I wanted to help so many young people who were just like me. Without the support system that I had, I would not have been able to move forward in life in a productive manner. I realize that I am very fortunate. I wanted to provide the same opportunities in learning that I had. The restoration of hope is hard work but good work.

Where do you go for a great time?

I have my best times at home with my family. I have a wonderful supportive husband and three beautiful children. We enjoy each other’s company. I also get excited about spending time at Third Perk Coffee House and Wine bar.

If you could change or bring one thing to Dayton, what would it be?

I would look to increase commerce in Dayton by attracting and bringing more viable businesses to the Dayton area.

What should people know about Dayton?

In the big picture, Dayton is a clean slate waiting to be developed and re-ignited.

Why are you here?

I believe in Dayton, its spirit of innovation and creativity. I believe in its hometown values and big city style.

For a while when she was younger, Nicole Pritchett dreamed of living somewhere warm. North Carolina or South Carolina perhaps.

A home close to the water would be amazing, the Meadowdale High School grad thought.

“When I weighed everything out, I said ‘I am going to stay (in Dayton),’ ” she added. “My family is here. I have always enjoyed Dayton’s lower cost of living. It is a great place. I enjoy Dayton.”

Raised in the Dayton View neighborhood, Nicole now calls Trotwood home and is executive director of Hope Road Organization — a Dayton-based nonprofit with the tagline "Helping Youth Discover Direction and Development."

“Our theme is character building,” Nicole said.

She founded Hope Road in 2010 while working at LexisNexis. Her position as a technical consultant was outsourced in 2014.

Hope Road offers Grow2live —a free youth gardening program — and a youth and community theater component that involves writing, acting or etiquette.

The organization is accepting nominations for its Image of Hope Youth Advocacy Awards for education, juvenile justice, arts & nature, community outreach and health & wellness.

Nicole said kids should be encouraged and pointed to her brother as an example.

Despite a natural cooking ability, she says her brother was never given information or support in the kitchen. He ended up with a troubled life.

Hope Road aims to help kids embrace and explore their curiosity, Nicole said.

“Kids can grow to do the thing they really want to do,” she added.

We asked Nicole, this week's Daytonian of the Week, what she loves about life here.

About the Author