Dark streets. Yep, in North Richmond, your head lights are the streetlights. The rhetoric. When there’s a new development in North Richmond, the developer will install streetlights. Actuality: There’s a new development, with new streetlights. But guess what? The lights are not on. Evidence: See the video below. This is driving at night on Pittsburg…
Category: Community
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Today, Martin Luther King, Jr. would be 95. You’ve repeatedly heard the line “I have a dream” in many arenas. The working title of that famous speech was “Normalcy, Never Again.” If we quote him, we should also know his stance. In addition to being a great orator, he spoke up for voting rights, universal…
July Celebrations in North Richmond
We have an awesome community, and our seniors are our stars. July 4 with Ms. Eleanor Thompson Ms. Eleanor has headed up a July event for 11 years, and this was her last year arranging the parade, cultural dance, community, vendors, and passing out backpacks. It was a great community gathering. We salute Ms. Eleanor,…
Earth Day Free Farmer’s Market
There were many Earth Day celebrations around the Bay last month. Here in North Richmond there were a couple of celebrations — one that was new and different — a FREE farmer’s market! It was a collaboration between The Black Neighborhood, The Family Justice Center, Fresh Approach, Urban Tilth, White Pony Express, and McGlothen Temple….
Rain Gardens & Local Heroes
Urban Tilth recently celebrated local community heroes and the opening of its new rain gardens. The Fred Jackson Way Rain Gardens project brought a new sidewalk, bike lane, and plant landscape. And the rain gardens not only look nice but filter the water from the roadway and lessen the pollution that goes into the creeks….
King Day – A Day of Service?
Why is Martin Luther King Jr Day celebrated as a Day of Service? It seems as though some corporations see it as a day to encourage employees to volunteer at various nonprofits. I think Dr. King’s message gets lost in these Day of Service scenarios. It’s amazing all the accolades, maybe even lip service given…
Community Advisory Committee Opportunity!
You may have seen Urban Tilth’s free farm stands, or you may be part of its Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program that feeds 500 families weekly, or maybe you had one of its free farm stands at your events as part of its Food is Medicine program. Well, the latest is that they’re embarking on…
Dr. Henry Clark
A longtime resident, activist, and trailblazer. Dr. Henry Clark. In a meeting this year, I heard Dr. Clark say that he won the yo-yo championship at Verde. So that gave me an idea of how long he had been in the community. Personally, I had the pleasure of meeting Dr. Clark at the North Richmond…
North Richmond: A Question on Funding
North Richmond residents have a vision for an optimal community — affordable housing, open, green space, youth activities, neighbor camaraderie, freshly landscaped parkways, parks, and greenways, essential services, community businesses, infrastructure, a master green plan, and an accessible, kempt shoreline. Given the residents’ vision for the community, I recently asked if North Richmond is a…
The Richmond Walk!
The Richmond Walk! It’s the Jimmy McCracklin Street Renaming project, a video shoot, and a Community Street Party. All are invited! Blues legends and North Richmond go hand and glove! The Richmond Walk is the last leg of the 100-year celebration honoring Blues Ambassador Jimmy McCracklin. The community will honor him by renaming a street…