15+
Years of experience in economic consulting
30+
Years academic experience in economics
Clients include government, non-profit organizations, academia and industry.
Frequent media contributor on a broad variety of topics.
National and International Clients
State and Local Clients
EXPERIENCE
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Consultant, Fanatics, Inc.
November 2025-present
Working with Chief Sustainability Officer on operational improvement.
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Keynote speaker and consultant, City of Alexandria, VA.
January 2026.
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Gave an in-depth presentation for the city that addressed gaps in economic mobility as well as social capital assets, as part of a larger all-day event.
Consultant, New America foundation.
January 2024-July 2025. Washington, D.C.
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Overseeing national HUD study of homeownership rates between Black and White residents, investigating changes in small dollar mortgage access.
Lead Consultant, Pew Charitable Trust.
​July 2023-June 2024. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
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Led major project on investigating trends in small-dollar mortgages in 3 American cities and produced 100 page report.
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Economic Consultant, Forsyth Technical Community College.
October 2020 - September 2022. Winston-Salem, North Carolina.
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Oversaw and helped a team to develop their first ever survey of student transportation needs and how it affects educational outcomes. We developed two extensive research reports and presented them to the administration with specific recommendations.
Economic Consultant, Hanesbrands, Inc.
October 2014 - May 2020. Winston-Salem, North Carolina.
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Served as independent consultant (with a colleague) for the Corporate Social Responsibility division on worker compensation. We conducted in-country surveys of Hanesbrands workers that help the company better understand the workers' quality of life and living standards. Countries visited included Honduras, El Salvador, Dominican Republic and Vietnam.
Economic Consultant, Village of Clemmons, North Carolina.
June 2018 - August 2018.
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Evaluated a proposed DOT road project, where we evaluated the social and economic benefits to the city. The city voted for the project after our public presentation in favor of the project.
Economic Consultant, Winston-Salem Chamber of Commerce
January 2014 - 2017. Winston-Salem, North Carolina.
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With my economist colleague, Dr. Madjd-Sadjadi, we conducted an economic impact study of the I-74 beltway around Winston-Salem for the Chamber of Commerce, that demonstrated the enormous gains from completing it, as well as the growing costs of inaction to stranded homeowners and failing businesses. The Chamber cited our study as an important component of the move forward by the State.
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Economic Consultant, Institute for Liberty and Democracy
June 2005 – June 2014.
Lima, Peru
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Worked with President of ILD, Hernando de Soto, producing internal working papers for ILD. ILD is a think tank based in Peru which consults with countries around the world on anti-poverty initiatives that focus on granting land titles to the poor and disenfranchised.
Our Services
TESTIMONIALS
Results That Speak For Themselves
"Craig's work with his colleague on the 1-74 Beltway project was a true game changer in terms of advancing the project to the top of DOT priorities after a decade of inaction."
Jerry Cook
Vice President, Government and Trade Relations, Hanesbrands.
Dr. Craig Richardson has been an incredible leader and fragile community advocate for decades. His research-focused community support coalitions have provided sources of hope and the resources to impact change in global communities.
Antwain Tate Goode
President of Tate Consulting Group.
More plaudits for Craig J. Richardson Consulting
In January 2026, Craig came to the City of Alexandria and gave a well-researched, thoughtful keynote that defined and clarified the concept of economic mobility, asked powerful questions about some of the data and trends he uncovered of our City and left participants feeling inspired and energized about the power of connections and what we can make possible.
Craig was fantastic to work with, making himself available to meet with the organizing work group and have a number of conversations before the event to help define our goals and the topics he would cover.
His work set us up for a powerful next step in our work and I cannot recommend working with him enough.
Julie Mullen
Economic Mobility Officer, Center for Economic Support
City of Alexandria
PUBLICATIONS
Selected Articles
HONORS AND AWARDS
Cedric Rodney Community Service Award, 2024, Winston-Salem State University
Red Jacket Society Inductee, Winston-Salem State University, 2022
($3.1 million in grant awards)
Breaking Barriers Award for Fair and Affordable Housing, City of Winston-Salem, 2022
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Researcher of the Year, Winston-Salem State University, 2021
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Truist Distinguished Professor of Economics, Winston-Salem State University, 2016
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Ambassador, Mike Campbell Foundation (Harare, Zimbabwe), 2014
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