Richmond residents often tell us they feel disconnected to the city as a whole, so we launched an occasional series called Meet Your Neighbor to highlight people from different neighborhoods and different walks of life.
There was the determined Salvadore Valle, who started picking up trash to quiet some of his internal struggles and found himself leading a wider volunteer effort to clean up local creeks. We got fitness inspiration reading about Sharlet Gilbert, a 73-year-old woman who runs ultra-long races that last 24 to 30 hours! And we were impressed by restaurant owner Raúl Ramirez, who started out selling ice cream from a cart.
We’ll continue the series in 2026 so if there is someone we should feature, let us know by emailing hello@richmondside.org or send us a story tip.
Read about all of the nine people we wrote about this year below:
Richmond man’s time in jail inspired him to change. Now he feeds the hungry
Stan Byias of Richmond was incarcerated in Marin County when he felt a religious calling to change his life. He founded an organization that feeds the hungry and helps the unhoused.
Meet the TikToker who’s unearthing Richmond’s hidden gems
Alicia “Nunu” Freeman’s social media videos blend curiosity, love for the city, and storytelling to uplift local businesses and community pride.
War veteran lived on streets for a year. Now he helps others who are unhoused
Debilitated by PTSD from the Falklands War, Shaun Carr ended up homeless. Now he’s giving back.
Twin brothers’ podcast aims to show joy is possible in difficult times
Richmond brothers Brett and Royce Conner, who are fighting the same type of cancer, started a podcast that aims to turn their candid, unscripted conversations into something that celebrates their relationship and spreads positivity.
From Richmond to Italy: Tiffany Conway makes her mark at Florence art biennale
The Richmond native was the only Black woman representing the United States at the international art gathering — and one of just six Black artists at the show.
Richmond author’s children’s book follows fictional friends separated by Iran war
Richmond author Nikoo Yahyazadeh’s debut picture book captures the bittersweet reality of being forced to flee home through the eyes of two young girls in Iran.
Rollingwood man finds peace on his mission to clean up creeks
Meet Your Neighbor: Salvador Valle, 46, says pulling out mattresses, electronics and other dumped junk from San Pablo Creek is reconnecting him to nature and lessening his anxiety.
Local filmmaker crafts a ‘love letter to Richmond,’ the story of a man and a goldfish
Meet Your Neighbor: Award-winning filmmaker Jayson Johnson is in preproduction for his first feature film, a story of perseverance, strength and growth.
Nobody can break her stride: Meet Richmond’s 73-year-old distance runner
“I’m going to die if I don’t keep moving,” says Sharlet Gilbert, a Hercules High School assistant track coach and former Olympic trial runner.
Very proud to be a part of the Richmond community and grateful to Richmondside for helping me learn and connect with so many of my amazing neighbors. This is a city with fight, spirit, and hunger.