Fearless in the storm: The Terrance Kelly Youth Foundation

The Richmond Globe
Commentary by Shannon Flattery
Photos by Ellen Gailing

Saturday’s sold-out Second Annual Terrance Kelly Youth Foundation fundraiser at the Salesian Boys & Girls Club brought together over 300 people, and at $50 a seat, that’s some very good energy at work to bring peace to the streets of Richmond.

The Terrance Kelly Youth Foundation (TKYF) grew out of tragedy and great loss. De La Salle High School graduate Terrance Kelly was fatally shot while sitting in his car in the Iron Triangle on Aug. 12, 2004, two days before the teen was to leave for the University of Oregon on a full scholarship. Terrance’s father, Landrin Kelly, later started the foundation as a way to help guide Richmond youth in the positive way that he had guided his son. The programs developed by the group help Richmond’s youth see themselves differently and choose paths that will help them realize fulfilled and meaningful lives.

There is an African proverb that reminds us that, “If we fail to initiate our youth into the center of the tribe, they will burn down the village just to feel the heat.”

We have to admit that as a country, as a nation, as a city, we have failed our children. And we have to take responsibility. The TKYF has stepped up, and with the numbers in attendance at Saturday night’s event, it seems many want to share in that responsibility.

Special guest Ronnie Lott, a 49ers Hall of Famer, was full of the spirit that evening. At one point he asked everyone to hold hands and to understand that the spirit of holding onto to one another — and really seeing one another — will allow us to make it to the other side of this violent storm.

Food, Laughter & Dialog in Richmond

THE PREDOMINANT SOUND WEDNESDAY NIGHT WAS LAUGHTER. Even with so many difficult subjects going around the table, people were simply glad to be together during this bi-monthly gathering hosted by Touchable Stories. Roast chicken, hot links and pork rinds shared space with an oh-so-healthy sampling of salads and vegan delights – yet another reflection of the populations of UC Berkeley and Richmond mingling together with one another at a table that was set in the City of Richmond.

“Our city is going down and it’s going to take all of us to bring it back up.”

Much of the dinner dialog was about pulling together as a community, with broad discussions surrounding the violence perpetrated by people, mirrored by the violence that has for generations been stacking up a significant death toll due to all the toxic land sites in Richmond. (The ever present shadow of Chevron Oil drifting casually around the table.)

“I participated in the madness (violence), I am a survivor of the madness, and I am now working to help my people change.”

We were told by a literacy educator that “Over 70% of 3rd graders are reading below level in Richmond” and that “it is with 3rd graders that they begin to gage how many will go to prison. That’s not just wrong – it’s an obscenity.”

There was a young pediatrician from Kaiser who related stories about a trip to the former Yugoslavia; about Bosnians and Serbs, and how even with everything those people experienced they still had the capacity to extend generosity and kindness to strangers. That this could surely still happen in Richmond “because somehow people find the grace to come back to that which unites us as human beings.”

It was a table of community activists, social service providers, UCB performance and geography majors, one or two policemen, a gaggle of artists, church ladies, five children and two dogs, totaling over 40 in attendance. The dialog is now attracting very dedicated participants.

The next Touchable Stories dinner will occur during the fall harvest - at a great place called EcoVillage where local kids are being reintroduced to the land. We will be happy to set you a place at the table.

Shannon Flattery
Artist Director/Founder - Touchable Stories
UCB Artist-in-Residence

community strength

Last Saturday community members all over Richmond gathered in Parchester Village to sign a declaration to protect the Rheem Creek Watershed. I joined the meeting and the consequent tour of the shoreline. I recognized many of those in attendance from the EJ health summit and general plan meetings. It is very comforting to see the "regulars" and to form an understanding of who is involved in the community


The Parchester marshlands and other precious wetland areas along the shoreline lie in Chevron's backyard. This means that rare vegetation and habitat for many species of birds are suffering from pollutants and pending development (the port Chevron is pushing to build on the North Richmond shoreline). There has been a proposition to put an annual 8 million dollar tax on Chevron (an amount they earn in profit in 15 minutes) to allow them to build this port. Another issue is that North Richmond is not incorporated so the port would technically be under the jurisdiction of Contra Costa County - this would be a more difficult bureacracy to navigate.

Whitney Dotson pointed out the freeway underpass and highlighted the environmental justice issue that exists because this pass theoretically connects North Richmond to the Bay Trail but is flooded 9 months of the year. There are currently campaigns to build an overpass (such as the one at the Berkeley Marina).