FIERCE Advocates Empower Residents to Shape Humphrey Playlot’s Future
This year’s Back to School Bash at Humphrey Playlot brought Richmond neighbors together in a celebration of joy, creativity, and shared vision for park equity. The event, organized by FIERCE Advocates in partnership with the Richmond Park Equity Project, highlighted the importance of safe, well-resourced parks for families of color in neighborhoods historically underserved and underinvested.
From past Earth Day activations to this celebration, FIERCE’s Policy Advocacy and Organizing team, led by Dulce Galicia and Kyndelle Johnson, saw an opportunity to reignite community power and launch the Humphrey Playlot Ambassador program. Local leaders Hilda, Laura, Susana, and Cynthia brought their passion and energy, ensuring the event was a true community celebration.
Neighbors Leading the Vision
Residents of all ages shared ideas for improving the park, from arts and community events to safer playground spaces and enhanced landscapes. Children brought energy and imagination, suggesting ways to fill empty spaces, renovate structures, remove trash and weeds, and add water access.
Many neighbors were surprised to see attention paid to a small park often overlooked, yet vital to daily life in the neighborhood. Ideas were captured through an online survey and in-person discussion questions, creating multiple ways for residents to shape the future of Humphrey Playlot.
Food, Fun, and Connection
Games, snacks, and art-making turned the park into a welcoming space for everyone. Strangers became neighbors and intergenerational connections formed around shared laughter and creativity. FIERCE knows that dreaming and planning together is the first step toward meaningful change, and this event reminded everyone that equitable parks begin with belonging, listening, and imagining together.
Meet the Coordinators Behind the Day
Dulce Galicia, FIERCE’s Policy and Advocacy Organizing Manager, brings deep experience leading community visioning, asset mapping, and policy advocacy. A resident of North Richmond, Dulce partners with BIPOC communities to shift power toward real, tangible community impacts. Together, Kyndelle and Dulce exemplify FIERCE’s approach of connecting families, nurturing leaders, and advancing equitable neighborhood change.
Kyndelle Johnson, Project Coordinator at FIERCE, has spent the past five years engaging Richmond residents in park activations, youth initiatives, and arts programming. Her bilingual outreach, creative project planning, and focus on local voices strengthen community connections through hands-on initiatives and collaborative events.
Continuing the Momentum
Reimagining Humphrey Playlot is advocacy in motion. Each mural idea, wish for greener spaces, and call for safety is a step toward undoing historical harms and reclaiming joy for families of color. FIERCE hopes to share findings with city stakeholders, enhance the skills of neighborhood leaders, and continue advancing community power through the Richmond Park Equity Program.
Get Involved
Want to be part of the next PAO initiative? Join us in shaping parks, planning events, and building community power. Your ideas, leadership, and energy help bring equitable spaces and joy to neighborhoods across Richmond. Together, we can continue turning vision into action.
