From BBK to FIERCE: A Legacy of Evolution
When FIERCE Advocates looks back on its roots, the memories stretch into Richmond’s Iron Triangle; a place where the first sparks of transformation flickered over block parties, dinner dialogues, and bold dreams. What started in 2005 as Building Blocks for Kids (BBK), a collaborative grounded in the hope of reversing systemic inequities, has grown into a powerful movement of healing, justice, and multigenerational change.
Now, two decades later, FIERCE Advocates stands at a milestone. Twenty years of building power, strengthening families, and advancing equity for Black and Latinx communities in West Contra Costa County. It’s not just an anniversary; it’s a celebration of resilience, reflection, and a recommitment to the journey ahead.
A Name That Matches the Mission
The decision to transition from BBK to FIERCE Advocates wasn’t made lightly. As Executive Director Sheryl Lane explains, the name shift symbolized a new chapter, rooted not only in programmatic independence but also in a deeper, more intentional embrace of community power. “It was the perfect time to have a name that reflects who we are now,” she shares. “FIERCE stands for Families and Individuals Equitably Rooted in Collective Empowerment. It’s a name born from community voices, created by two long-time participants turned advocates.”
This name reflects how FIERCE has grown from a place-based collaborative focused on children’s outcomes to a dynamic organization nurturing whole families through healing-centered programs, leadership development, and parent-led advocacy. While the mission has evolved, the heartbeat remains the same: community first, always.
Legacy in Every Life Touched
For Sheryl, this 20-year mark holds deep meaning, both personally and organizationally: “It represents two decades of believing in the power and beauty of community,” she reflects. “The babies who came to our African American Baby Shower are now young adults. Some of our earliest program participants are now part of our staff. That shows the roots we’ve built and the transformation that’s possible.”
Throughout the years, FIERCE has offered far more than services. It has created sanctuary, healing, and opportunity. The impact reaches across generations and every corner of life, from prenatal support through CoCo Doulas, to women’s and men’s wellness circles that foster emotional connection, to leadership coaching and advocacy training that empower families to speak up in schools, clinics, and community forums.
The Power of Partnership
One of the organization’s most enduring strengths has been its unwavering commitment to partnership. “We’ve never done this work alone,” Sheryl notes. “Whether it was collaborating with Contra Costa County Health Services to launch CoCo Doulas, or finding ways to deliver food, financial relief, and healing during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, partnerships have made our work more responsive and relevant.”
FIERCE understands that no single program or agency holds all the answers. By working hand-in-hand with other organizations, health providers, educators, and parents, it continues to be a catalyst for lasting systems change.
Lighting the Road Ahead
As the organization looks toward the next 20 years, the vision remains bold and grounded. “Our legacy is in our name,” Sheryl affirms. “We’re building a future where families have what they need from the beginning, where systems reflect the wisdom of the people they serve, and where every child sees their parents as agents of change.”
From the earliest days of block parties to today’s leadership institutes and policy platforms, FIERCE Advocates has grown with the community it serves. It’s not only a story of what has been accomplished. It’s a story of what’s possible when love, strategy, and voice come together.
And this year, on September 27, 2025, the community will gather at Richmond Civic Center Plaza to honor it all.
There will be food, music, and joy!
But also a spark;
A light to guide the next chapter.
Because when families are well, communities thrive. And when communities thrive, the path forward shines that much brighter.
Mark your calendars and be part of this unforgettable celebration.
