Celebrating Community and Creativity: Honoring Our 20th Anniversary Vendors
On Saturday, September 27, 2025, Richmond Civic Center Plaza came alive with joy, color, and connection as FIERCE Advocates celebrated 20 years of collective empowerment. Our 20th Anniversary Community Block Party was more than a milestone. It was a love letter to the families, partners, and neighbors who have built this movement together. From Zumba and line dancing to bubbles, face painting, and delicious food, every moment reflected the strength, creativity, and spirit of Contra Costa County.
This celebration was made possible through the care and collaboration of our sponsors, vendors, and in-kind donors. Each one brought something special to the day, filling the plaza with warmth, energy, and a shared commitment to wellness and justice. Together, they helped create a space where people could come together, be seen, and feel celebrated!
Wellness as a Community Practice
At the heart of FIERCE’s work is the belief that wellness is not a privilege but a right. Many of our vendors carry that same belief, offering their time, talent, and heart to help our community flourish.
For ChyTea, founded by Chy Danielle, joining the celebration was about creating space for healing and reflection.
“I was deeply moved when I first learned about FIERCE Advocates’ commitment to amplifying the voices of Black, Latinx, and other parents and caregivers of color,” shared Chy. “Our missions align in honoring people’s dignity, their stories, and their full humanity.”
Through Kemetic Yoga and sound healing, Chy offered a moment of calm and renewal for attendees; a reminder that rest and restoration are essential parts of community care.
Cindy Jones-Howell, founder of Granny’s Kitchen, also brought this vision to life through her passion for plant-based wellness and lifelong advocacy.
“By partnering with FIERCE and other community-based organizations, we can create safe, supportive spaces where every individual has the opportunity not only to survive, but to truly thrive,” Cindy said. “I’m excited to connect with old friends and meet new ones, creating a new village that embraces self-care, growth, and resilience.”
For both Cindy and Chy, community healing begins with nourishment; whether through food, breath, or connection. Their work reflects the same values that have guided FIERCE for two decades: that wellness, belonging, and leadership grow strongest when rooted in community.
Business for Good and Joy in Motion
Our community thrives when creativity meets purpose. Pretty Fun Designs, created by Riquelle, is one example of how local businesses can use joy as a force for good.
“I’m excited to celebrate 20 years of caring because the organization’s mission truly matches my values,” said Riquelle. “Being part of a passionate, joyful community feels like a shared adventure.”
Riquelle even donated a portion of her sales during the celebration, turning her art into direct support for FIERCE’s programs; proof that every act of creativity can be an act of care.
Movement was also at the center of the celebration thanks to Erica Jones-Lieberum, who led a lively Zumba session that brought the crowd to its feet.
“I’m most excited to bring the energy of Zumba to the celebration,” Erica shared. “There’s nothing like music and movement to unite people. Partnering with FIERCE means being part of something bigger than yourself.”
Their contributions remind us that joy and wellness are powerful tools for change. When people gather to dance, share, and celebrate, they strengthen the bonds that hold a community together.
Rooted in Community Wellness
Our longtime partners in health, LifeLong Medical Care and Zócalo Health, are deeply aligned with FIERCE’s mission to advance equity and well-being across Contra Costa County.
“Our missions align,” shared Irma Peralta of LifeLong. “FIERCE and LifeLong Medical Care are both focused on health and wellness for communities that are often excluded. Partners like FIERCE help ensure there are more healthy deliveries for Black women and birthing people each year.”
Jose Aceves of Zócalo Health shared a similar vision. “What inspired us to collaborate with FIERCE is our shared goal of empowering local communities through knowledge and access to quality health care and mental health services,” he said. “Both of our organizations are rooted in community and strong cultural values.”
Partnerships like these reflect what FIERCE knows to be true: that real change happens when organizations work hand in hand to meet people where they are, honoring their voices and lived experiences.
A Village of Vendors and Visionaries
Our 20th Anniversary celebration was filled with incredible local vendors and in-kind supporters who helped make the day vibrant and memorable. From handmade goods to wellness services, from cultural performances to family fun, each one added their own magic to the day:
My Granny’s Kitchen, Tacos Barajas, Breastfriends, First 5, Black Infant Health, Mani’s Creations, Crochet Creations, Sense of Nadia, Coffee & Cups, Butter Cream, DJ Kream Dream, Kemetic Yoga & Sound, Zumba by Erica Jones, The Big Bubble People, Grupo Folklorico Danza Azteca Guadalupana, Get It Girl Fitness, Line Dancing by Patricia Burton, and Pretty Fun Designs.
Your partnership helped transform the plaza into a true reflection of community strength. Together, you showed what it means to care for one another, to celebrate one another, and to build a Contra Costa County where everyone can thrive.
To every vendor, partner, and in-kind donor who made our 20th Anniversary Block Party possible, thank you. Your generosity and commitment are reminders that community is our greatest resource.
Together, we celebrated two decades of impact, healing, and hope. And we’re just getting started!
Visit our 20th Anniversary page to explore more stories, photos, and ways to support FIERCE’s next chapter of community care and collective empowerment.
