I’m James Lee, and as the title might suggest, I am the President and CEO of our Richmond Chamber of Commerce. This is a new initiative I’ve created to do one thing: to get to know you and for you to get to know our Chamber of Commerce. That’s it. This space will be a shared space between the two of us to comment, question, discuss and ultimately recap my week with you. While my recaps may not be as exciting as your weekly TV roundup my hope is that this section of the newsletter will become something, you look forward to every Monday morning to start your work we

ek.

Alright, now that we’ve gotten the formal business out of the way, let’s talk about what’s been happening around the city lately.

One of the highlights of my week was the Rotary Club’s visit from Congressman Mark DeSaulnier (CA – 11) on Aug. 10th. We had a wide and varied discussion that afternoon, with topics ranging from city transportation and improvements to HWY 80 (we all know that it needs it) to affordable health care and economic growth for the city at large. As always Congressman DeSaulnier, spoke eloquently about all the issues at hand but, for me, the most impassioned issue, the topic that hit closest to home, was that of immigration. Listening to the Congressman recount his recent experience at the US-Mexico border, where he’d visited detention centers for children who’d been separated from their parents, brought to mind my own experience as a child immigrating to this country. I was six years old when my parents and I arrived in the US. I know the current immigration policy is a heated topic and many of us may not fall on the same side of the fence, but I believe that we as people, that our hearts are with those children and their mothers and their fathers and that we, just like them, look forward to a resolution at the border.

The next big event of the week was the Rosie the Riveter Rally on Saturday, the 11th. Attendees from all over the Bay Area enjoyed a fun-filled day celebrating history and the achievements of so many great and significant women. There was great food provided by many of our own local vendors including Kim’s Louisiana Fried Turkey, exhibits such as the one pictured where we learned how to make rope, as well as a costume contest.

While this year’s turnout may have been smaller than in years past, at 2,000 attendees, the spirit of the rally remained the same – to honor the women who supported the war effort in the City’s shipyards and who helped change the face of America’s workforce. Up until that point, most women worked inside the home, but with the arrival of WWII and the overseas service of most of America’s men, women took on the both the jobs the men had left behind and picked up the necessary work of wartime production. These women of diverse racial and social economic backgrounds in many ways kept the country afloat and help to open the door for the women’s movement of the coming 60’s and 70’s.  

The last big event on the calendar was my visit to Pointe Molate, a former naval base, gifted to the City of Richmond in 1997. The Economic Commissioners were invited by Senior Planning Director Richard  Mitchell  to take a tour and visit the national park and what I saw was a beauty I struggle to put words to. Pointe Molate is a place of peace and beauty and serenity. To stand at the edge of the water and feel the breeze come off the bay and blow against my face… for the briefest of moments, I heard nothing and just marveled at the nature around me, the stunning architecture of the few buildings remaining on the land. It truly is beyond words. If you’ve yet to visit this open space, I would emphatically encourage you to do so.

If you are unaware, Pointe Molate is the issue of contention in a legal battle. A judgment has recently been issued requiring the following; provide at least 670 residential uses, reserve at least 70% of the land as open space, and preserve historic buildings in the Winehaven District for adaptive reuse.

The development of Pointe Molate is an idea that could profoundly impact the City. I, for one, did envision a community in that space, a place for families and greater economic growth for our city. As a continued effort to engage the community in the decision-making process, visioning workshops and tours, like the one I took are taking place. Your feelings, your thoughts, and your perspective on this matter are vital as we work to decide the best course of action. I encourage you to visit Pointe Molate, attend a workshop or take a tour. If you’re unable to do so, please leave a comment at the Pointe Molate website https://richmondpointmolate.org. Whatever your feelings on the matter take the time to visit Pointe Molate, see it for yourself, and at the very least experience the same gift of peace that I did.

So that’s it. I’m happy that you stuck around to the very end and I hope you will continue to stick around throughout the coming weeks ahead. Remember that this is a conversation so feel free to comment or ask questions. We can even make a joke or two. See you next Monday.

I believe that success is communal: ensuring the health, well being, and comfort of our families, friends, neighbors. I believe that success is best shared: bridging ties between corporations, local leaders, and constituents to create a city that will serve a snapshot into the best aspects of the American spirit: diversity, equity, and a drive to innovate.