City staff outline $1.5M Black Resiliency Project and community advisory process

The Richmond City Council received an update on the Black Resiliency Project and Fund, a three‑part effort to document conditions affecting Black residents, design a community‑driven grant program, and appoint a Community Advisory Committee to guide the work.

City staff said the State of Black Richmond report will compile existing data and fill gaps across health, housing, education, economic opportunity and public safety and that the findings will shape the fund and grant guidelines. Staff proposed a $1.5 million initial allocation to seed a multi‑year grant program, with a portion used for a consultant to prepare the report and the balance reserved for grants and capacity building. The project will seek to leverage outside philanthropy and other grant streams.

The proposed Community Advisory Committee (CAC) would include 11 members selected through an open application and appointment process; staff said council members would each have an opportunity to recommend candidates and the CAC would be structured as a Brown Act body.

Council members praised the proposal and discussed timing, the need for city involvement beyond grants, and the role of capacity building to help nonprofits scale to meet community needs. Staff said the RFP for the consultant would not specify a dollar figure in order to solicit proposals describing the required scope; they estimated consultant costs likely under $250,000 and said remaining funds would support grants and capacity building.

The council acknowledged the plan and received the update by unanimous vote; staff will return with the RFP, application details and timeline.