January 6, 2025
City Manager's Office
DATE: January 6, 2026
TO: Mayor Martinez and Members of the City Council
FROM:
Lashonda White, Deputy City Manager - Community
Services
Yahna Williamson - Management Analyst
Subject:
Formation of the Black Resiliency Project Community
Advisory Committee
FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no direct fiscal impact associated with adoption of this resolution. City Council approved a total allocation of $1.5 million for (1) the development of a “State of
Black Richmond” consultant and report and (2) to support the implementation of the Black Resiliency Project and
Fund from the fiscal year 2025-26 General Fund budget.
In addition, Community Advisory Committee members
will serve without compensation. Any staff time or
administrative support will be accommodated within
existing City resources.
PREVIOUS COUNCIL
ACTION:
June 17, 2025
October 7, 2025
November 18, 2025
STATEMENT OF THE
ISSUE:
The Black Resiliency Project and Fund requires the
formation of a Community Advisory Committee (CAC) to
ensure the initiative is community-driven, transparent, and informed by the lived experiences of Black Richmond residents. The CAC is a critical component of the
implementation structure and will work alongside City
staff and the consultant to guide development of the
State of Black Richmond Report and future grant
program design. City Council authorization is needed to formally establish the CAC, including its purpose, duties, membership structure, terms of service, meeting
AGENDA
REPORT
January 6, 2025
procedures, and dissolution criteria, so that recruitment and appointments can begin.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
ADOPT a resolution authorizing the creation of the Black Resiliency Project Community Advisory Committee
(CAC) and approving its purpose, duties, membership
and composition, terms of service, meeting procedures,
conflict-of-interest requirements, and dissolution
parameters – City Manager’s Office (Lashonda White
510-620-6828/Yahna Williamson 510-650-6574).
DISCUSSION:
Background
On June 17, 2025, City Council approved the establishment of the Black Resiliency Project and Fund, directing City staff to develop a State of Black Richmond Report and a grant program to guide equitable investments and long-term strategies to improve outcomes for Black residents.
To support early planning and implementation, City Council established the Black Resiliency Project Ad Hoc Committee on October 7, 2025. On November 18, 2025, staff provided a progress update to City Council that included the development of Community Advisory Committee guidelines, a public-facing City website, and preparation of a Request for Proposals (RFP) for the State of Black Richmond Report.
The proposed resolution represents the next step in implementation by formally authorizing the creation of the Black Resiliency Project Community Advisory Committee (Attachment 1).
Formation of the Community Advisory Committee
The Community Advisory Committee will ensure that the Black Resiliency Project remains transparent, community-centered, and grounded in lived experience. The CAC will:
Review and provide feedback on the draft Request for Proposals (RFP) for the State of Black Richmond Report
Advise on findings and recommendations during report development Collaborate with staff and the consultant to shape preliminary grant program guidelines
Provide input on eligibility criteria, evaluation metrics, and accountability measures
Support outreach and community engagement
Review and score grant applications in collaboration with staff Host quarterly community meetings to ensure transparency and ongoing feedback
January 6, 2025
The CAC will consist of eleven (11) members appointed by the Mayor with City Council approval through an open application process. Membership will reflect Richmond’s geographic, socio-economic, generational, and lived-experience diversity and will include at least two (2) youth members ages 15–24. Members will serve one-year terms, without compensation, and must comply with all City ethics, Brown Act, and conflict-of-interest requirements.
The CAC will continue until the Black Resiliency Fund sunsets and the project evaluation is complete.
Next Steps
Adoption of the resolution establishes a transparent, community-centered advisory body that will play a critical role in guiding the State of Black Richmond Report and the Black Resiliency Fund.
The CAC announcement and the City’s Board and Commission application are on the Black Resiliency Project webpage at https://www.ci.richmond.ca.us/4921/Black- Resiliency-Project. Eligible individuals are invited to submit an application for consideration starting January 7, 2026 (Attachment 2). City staff will also promote the opportunity to participate in the CAC through the City website, social media, and community partners.
DOCUMENTS ATTACHED:
Attachment 1 – Resolution authorizing the creation of the Black Resiliency Project Community Advisory Committee
Attachment 2 – Draft CAC Announcement