Greetings, RICH CITY Community!

This week, we are thrilled to announce the commencement of recruitment for the RICH CITY Walk Hike Bike Clubs! Spearheaded by our very own RICH CITY School Programs Manager, Rico Guerra, these clubs are open to high school students eager to explore the outdoors and promote healthy living.

The recruitment drive kicked off with fervor as we visited Richmond High and Pinole Valley High to spread the word about these exciting clubs. Over the past week, students were informed about the myriad opportunities these clubs offer, igniting enthusiasm among the youth.

One of the highlights of the recruitment days was the addition of pedal-powered bike smoothies, adding a refreshing twist to the sign-up process. Students actively participated in blending delicious fruit smoothies by pedaling the bike, thanks to the generous support of Dani Lanis from Bike East Bay and Davis Okonkwo from the County Health Services Department. Their contributions were instrumental in making the recruitment drive a resounding success, with over 100 students expressing interest in joining the clubs.

Members of the Walk Hike and Bike Clubs will embark on exciting adventures, including hikes at local parks and community rides. Additionally, they will engage in a walk audit to identify optimal routes for walking or biking to school, contributing to a more sustainable and active lifestyle.

As we eagerly anticipate the formation of the next cohort of Walk Hike and Bike Club members, the enthusiasm displayed this week is a promising indicator of a stellar team for the upcoming year. We are confident in the success of these clubs and look forward to sharing their achievements with our community.

If you believe that your school could benefit from the establishment of a Walk Hike and Bike Club or wish to initiate one at your institution, we encourage you to reach out to Rico Guerra at rico@richcityrides.org. Together, let's pedal towards a healthier and more vibrant community!

Stay tuned for more updates on the club's journey ahead.

Warm regards,

RICH CITY School Programs Team

Richmond Park Equity Project "Rich PEP"

A Vision for Park Equity in 2024

As we stepped into the new year of 2024, the team at RICH CITY embarked with unwavering ambition and a deep sense of pride, driven by a collective mission to catalyze vital change in our community's discourse and action on park equity. At the heart of this endeavor lies a dynamic partnership led by Shots and Justice, a formidable duo within our ranks, laying the groundwork for RICH CITY to emerge as a beacon of inclusivity and empowerment for the diverse voices within our midst.

Central to our strategy is the establishment of a robust advisory group, meticulously curated to represent the multifaceted tapestry of Richmond and its surrounding unincorporated communities. This group, spanning generations and embracing the rich mosaic of identities and neighborhoods, stands as a testament to our commitment to genuine representation and engagement.

In concert with esteemed collaborators such as Trust for Public Land, Equiticity, Placeworks, and Hirsh Philanthropy, generously supported by the Hellman Foundation, we are building upon the legacy of those who came before us—entities like the West County Regional Group, City of Richmond, and East Bay Regional Park District. Together, we forge a path toward true park equity, ensuring that these influential stakeholders are integral members of our advisory group, fostering an environment of collaboration and synergy.

Looking ahead to the horizon of 2024, our vision is one of action and impact. We are poised to implement a diverse array of programming aimed at activating our parks, from community clean-ups to family-friendly events and enriching hikes that celebrate the storied history and contributions of Richmond's past residents. In partnership with MovingForward, we aspire to create transformative experiences that resonate with the soul of our community.

As we embark on this journey, we extend an open invitation to all who share our vision of a more equitable RICH CITY. Together, let us weave moments of magic and empowerment, forging a brighter future for generations to come.

With hope and determination,

Shots (Park Equity Project Manager) & Justice (Park Equity Project Associate)

RichPEP is a Black and Brown resident-led movement that will focus on long-term, systemic solutions that result in getting needed projects built and programs funded.

Visual Artists of Richmond

at the RICH CITY Gallery!

When: March 6th, Wednesday 6pm-8pm

Where: RICH CITY Gallery, 262 S 15th St., Richmond, CA 94804

RSVP A grassroots community of artists in Richmond California. Our overall goal is to create opportunities to celebrate and promote our work, share resources, and support each other's art practices via two projects: 

Our monthly artist gatherings are an opportunity to meet and network with other visual artists, to learn of new opportunities and to discuss topics of relevance to artist living or working in this community. 

An independent online directory, free to artists who live or work in Richmond. This directory will serve as a single source, allowing potential clients, collectors, colleagues and organizations to learn more about the amazing art made here in Richmond.

Visual Artists of Richmond is a very new, fiscally-sponsored project bringing together about 52 visual artists living in or working in Richmond, California. Our fiscal sponsor is Intersection for The Arts, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. In our group there is cultural and ethnic diversity, various age groups, high and low socioeconomic levels and emergent as well as established working artists.