Translated by Emmanuel Diaz.

To read this article in English, click here.

Richmond City Council made pivotal decisions Tuesday on the direction of the Richmond Promise, a $35 million scholarship program. Torn between their desire to make the program inclusive while ensuring that it is fiscally viable in the long term, the Council opted to give as many students as possible scholarships, at the expense of the program’s sustainability. 

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.

Last week the Council considered some of the final recommendations of the Richmond Promise before the program goes into the hands of the newly formed 501(c)3 for rollout to the community. While it may make the community uncomfortable, some major decisions were delayed so that city staff could provide more specific numbers relating to the different options. For the community, we want to do this right. Despite much of the rhetoric on all sides, I remain optimistic that if we’re careful, the Council will be able to ensure that Richmond Promise can last into perpetuity.

By: Sean Pyles

Richmond City Council failed to come to an agreement on key aspects of the $35 million Richmond Promise scholarship program on Tuesday in a lengthy meeting that swung from hectic to tedious.

This fall I had the honor of serving as co-chair of the Richmond Promise Ad-Hoc Committee. The committee was tasked with making recommendations to the Richmond City Council regarding the Richmond Promise scholarship program.

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.

Chevron’s $35 million Richmond Promise grant gives high school graduates a financial incentive and opportunity for college.  One hundred percent of Richmond residents attending Salesian College Preparatory graduate and enroll in college or university.  As Richmond residents, these Salesian graduates are very much a part of the City of Richmond’s present and future leadership.  Salesian graduates are residents, parents, police officers, fire fighters, educators, Chevron employees and business leaders in the community.

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.