What’s Happening at Humphrey Playlot? | Community Organizing in Richmond
At Humphrey Playlot, something meaningful is taking shape.
On any given day, neighbors gather in conversation, families spend time together, and community members show up with care for a space that continues to evolve. There is a feeling that grows when people return again and again with shared purpose, creating a rhythm of presence that feels both steady and intentional.
Through the work of FIERCE Advocates and the Policy, Advocacy, and Organizing team, this space continues to be shaped by the people who are most connected to it.
A Growing Sense of Ownership
What stands out most is the way people are choosing to show up.
Neighbors are making time to be present, even after long days, bringing their ideas, energy, and care into the space. A core group continues to return, and with each gathering, the connection to the playlot deepens.
Tashii, FIERCE’s Lead Policy and Advocacy Coordinator, shared that there is “a shift from residents being ‘users’ of the park to becoming stewards of it.”
That sense of stewardship has created a shared investment in what the space can become. Even with ongoing challenges like flooding, there is a strong sense of optimism and pride that continues to guide the work forward. The adoption of the playlot by FIERCE Advocates and the Friends of Humphrey Playlot has strengthened that connection, reinforcing that this effort belongs to the community.
Earth Day: Showing Up Together
Earth Day offered a powerful look at what this collective care feels like in action.
The park was heavily flooded, yet neighbors still arrived ready to contribute. As the day unfolded, people adapted in real time, focusing on clearing debris along the perimeter and tending to planter spaces. There was a shared understanding that each contribution played a role.
Tashii reflected on the moment as a turning point, noting that “even with the park heavily flooded, the turnout was a testament to the community’s dedication.”
Throughout the day, connection showed up in many forms. Families gathered at craft tables, painting and taking home seeds, while others worked to improve the space. New “Slow Down” signs were installed, reflecting concerns that residents had raised and turning those concerns into visible, immediate action.
The ribbon cutting to celebrate the Adopt a Spot milestone created space to recognize the work that has already taken place and the commitment that continues to guide what comes next.
You can read more about this moment in the recent feature by Richmond Standard.
Learning the Work of Organizing
Behind each of these moments is a process that takes time to build.
Organizing grows through relationships, conversations, and a willingness to stay engaged, even when progress feels gradual. There is a rhythm to this work that builds through consistency and shared effort.
As Tashii shared, “organizing is a marathon of presence… consistency over intensity.”
At this stage, there is a strong focus on research meetings, which create opportunities for community members to sit with decision-makers, ask questions, and better understand how systems operate.
Dulce, FIERCE’s Policy and Advocacy Organizing Manager, emphasized the importance of this step, sharing that these meetings help “shift leadership into the hands of community members,” allowing residents to take an active role in conversations that shape their neighborhood.
As community members step into these spaces, they begin to build confidence in how they engage, while also developing a deeper understanding of how decisions are made and how to move priorities forward.
Stepping Into Leadership
The Resident Organizing Trainings continue to support this growth in meaningful ways.
These sessions create space for neighbors to learn, practice, and build confidence together. Participants move through the organizing cycle, exploring how to take a concern and develop it into a strategy that leads to action.
The next training takes place on May 13, and there is still time to be part of it.
As Dulce shared, this stage of the work is especially important, as community leaders begin engaging directly with decision-makers and learning how to navigate systems with clarity and purpose.
People come into these spaces at different points in their journey, and what matters most is a willingness to learn, connect, and take that next step alongside others.
An Invitation to Be Part of It
What is happening at Humphrey Playlot continues to grow through the people who choose to be part of it.
There is space for more voices, more ideas, and more participation. Each conversation and each act of care contributes to the momentum that is building over time.
If you’ve been curious about getting involved, this is a place to begin. Whether it is attending an event, joining a training, or spending time in the space, there are many ways to step in and be part of what is unfolding.
Being part of a community that is shaping its future together is a powerful experience, and it continues to grow with each person who chooses to show up.
Explore our upcoming events or email pao@fierceadvocates.org to connect with our team.
