RYSE Commons Groundbreaking Ceremony

Thank you to everyone who celebrated the RYSE Commons Groundbreaking with us.

We are grateful to everyone who joined us—whether it was in person, through our Facebook livestream, or in spirit—last Friday, September 6, 2019, as we celebrated the bold dreams of young people in this community. 

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RYSE staff and youth interns

From Left to Right: Former youth members, most of whom are currently RYSE staff. Ciera-Jevae Gordon, Eddy Chacon, Gemikia Henderson, Dalia Ramos, Monica Diaz, Tyjohn Sykes, Edgar Rosales, and Cynthia Ezeokoli.

From Left to Right: District Attorney Diana Becton, Councilmember Eduardo Martinez, Supervisor & RYSE Founding Member John Gioia, Senator Nancy Skinner, and Assemblymember and RYSE Youth Alum Abel Pineda.

From Left to Right: From Oliver and Company, Jay Magtibay, Josh Oliver, Tim Miller, and Jenna Krick with RYSE Co-founders Kimberly Aceves-Iniguez and Kanwarpal Dhaliwal.

From Left to Right: Raza Development Fund with RYSE Co-Founders. Miguel Baca, Catherine Kes, Kimberly Aceves-Iniguez, and Kanwarpal Dhaliwal.

From Left to Right: A few of our New Market Tax Credit partners, Suvada Mujanovic, Priya Krishnakumar, and Brooke Wilson from Opportunity Fund. Dan McDonald from Community Vision. Marissa Meir and Jeff Hilton from Opportunity Fund. Carlotta Mills from Community Vision and Luis Rodriguez from Goldfarb & Lipman LLP.

From Left to Right: From Opportunity Fund, Priya Krishnakumar, Suvada Mujanovic, Marissa Meir, Brooke Wilson, and Jeff Hilton.

From Left to Right: Sandra Witt, The California Endowment, Jamilah Bradshaw, The California Endowment, Roxanne Carrillo Garza, Healthy Richmond, and Diane Aranda, The California Endowment.

From Left to Right: Our partners at Impact Justice, Sujatha Baliga, Rima Chaudry, Stephanie Medley (RYSE Education and Justice Director), and Ashlee George.

From Left to Right: A few of our New Market Tax Credits partners, Luis Rodriguez, Goldfarb & Lipman LLP, Suzanne Brown, Equity Community Builders, and Ross Culverwell and Dan McDonald from Community Vision.

From Left to Right: From Baytree Design, Aurore Develay, Adrienne Newton, and Lisa Howard. From Anne Phillips Architecture, Winston Win and Anne Phillips. From Creek Development, Shiloe Bear.

The Groundbreaking Ceremony was a day full of emotions and memories of the young people who paved the way and made this vision possible.

17 years ago, young people believed in and began the work that would become RYSE Commons, but some lost their lives before they could see it.

Those young people knew then that it was never just about them, but it was about building a legacy for their siblings, their children and their children’s children. Their humble and courageous service to a dream and a promise is palpable in our hearts. 

To the young people past, present and future, we thank you. What a gift is to be here stewarding your legacy, your persistence, your courage, and your love. 

“RYSE’s ability to empower Richmond’s youth through art and leadership skills excites us at Community Vision (formerly NCCLF). We are beyond thrilled to be a small part of bringing RYSE Commons to fruition. ”

— Community Vision

““The federal New Markets Tax Credit (NMTC) program helps attract capital to projects, like RYSE Commons, that provide critically needed services to economically distressed communities. Without NMTC financing, these projects would be further delayed or would not happen. Opportunity Fund is proud to have contributed NMTC financing to help get this project built.””

— Chris Huang, Director of New Markets Tax Credits at Opportunity Fund

RYSE Commons, in addition to being a space where partnerships, ideas, and programs can grow, is a continuation of the righteous and determined vision of young people to be seen, to be heard, to be centered and most importantly to be loved. 

RYSE Commons is not just about saying what doesn’t work for our community, but building what does work. RYSE Commons is a reminder that we won’t wait to be liberated, we will liberate ourselves and our community. RYSE Commons is our manifestation of Beloved Community.

Kanwarpal Dhaliwal
Associate Director & Co-Founder

Kimberly Aceves-Iñiguez
Executive Director & Co-Founder

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Support RYSE Commons

RYSE Commons is a community investment that requires all of us to collectively bring about our community’s liberation. We’ve raised a third of the funds needed for our capital campaign. We need our help to reach our goal.

Be a RYSE Commons Champion

There are many ways to support RYSE Commons. Get in touch with us to learn how you can volunteer, help us spread the word about the campaign, and support the vision of Richmond’s young people.

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Thank you to our funders and investors

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Thank you to our RYSE Commons project partners