Toxic street lifestyles have lured and claimed many young lives in the City of Richmond. Brotherhood, acceptance, and success are the elements that young men continually seek, but some young minds are confined to their environments and only see a negative interpretation of success and brotherhood. Will local residents let this confused war prevail in Richmond? 

Continuing the series of student perspectives on the Richmond Promise, the $35 million scholarship program from Chevron's Community Benefits Agreement with the City, here are perspectives from three students at Contra Costa College.

Chief Magnus believes that #BlackLivesMatter. Arizona disagrees.  Magnus’ candidacy for the position of Chief of Police for the city of Tucson, Arizona, led to the creation of a memo by the Tucson Police Officers' Association (TPOA). As I read this recent article in Radio Free Richmond, I took interest in TPOA’s assessment of our Chief: “Inconsistent discipline, lack of direction, a promotion process that is based on a non-ranked list selection, follows the political wind, participated in a "Black Lives Matter" protest…” Wait – what was that last one? Participated in a "Black Lives Matter" protest. 

Richmond residents are thrifty, ambitious, and resilient. They have something to prove, and they don't want to be the little brother to other cities in the Bay Area. These characteristics are clear in the city’s small business community. We see this at Renaissance Entrepreneurship Center, where some of the most creative, hard-working people in the city come to start businesses that will transform their communities. 

Radio Free Richmond has solicited the viewpoints of students, teachers, administrators and community activists to give a broad perspective on whether the Richmond City Council should negotiate with Chevron to amend the language in the Community Investment Agreement that created and funds The Richmond Promise scholarship program. Throughout the week RFR will post brief commentaries on this important issue.

Radio Free Richmond has solicited the viewpoints of students, teachers, administrators and community activists to give a broad perspective on whether the Richmond City Council should negotiate with Chevron to amend the language in the Community Investment Agreement that created and funds The Richmond Promise scholarship program. Throughout the week RFR will post brief commentaries on this important issue.