Interviewed by: Diana Wear

Jamin Pursell 

Jamin, congratulations on being hired for this new leadership position for the RPA. What led you to apply for this position?

Initially, I had not thought to take on the whole gamut of RPA’s structural needs. I’ve been with RPA since 2014 with a few lapses of school and other things, but since I’ve worked on several campaigns, served on various Action Teams and committees, and as a Steering Committee member, I have felt well positioned to help us transition to a new status. I think this is a pivotal moment for RPA as we are on the cusp of celebrating twenty years as a successful progressive organization in the East Bay. I would like to help RPA establish structures that will enable us to work more productively and effectively with other groups in Richmond. Our organization stands on the legacy of many RPA founders, friends, and colleagues over the years. It’s time to advance for the next ten years, to be as strong as possible for what it means to be progressive in Richmond and our surrounding communities. I aim to build on what all those people have done—we are a constantly moving machine. We have big problems to address, and I feel poised to help us do that.

By Nicole Valentino and Diana Wear

Kabir Kapur left an indelible mark on our RPA community when he died at the young age of 30 years old. He died of complications following an asthma attack that progressed to cardiac arrest. We are deeply saddened by this loss. Yet while we are bereft with his death, we are also left with some wonderful memories and profound lessons.  Kabir was a longtime, active member of RPA. Over the years, he worked on a number of committees and action teams including the leadership body of the RPA, the Steering Committee, as well as Membership and Council Action Team. He also participated actively with the Communications Team meetings urging coverage of relevant issues.

This playlist tribute to Kabir Kapur is a compilation of songs submitted by Kabir’s fellow RPA music lovers. Listen on Spotify, or as individual YouTube links.

Below are anecdotes and stories submitted by RPA members and allies. 

By Shiva Mishek

In this recent election cycle, the Richmond Progressive Alliance used a simple question to decide whether we would endorse local candidates: would the candidate commit to running a corporate-donation-free campaign? This question has been the bedrock of our organization since its founding in 2004.

But is it too basic a boundary issue?

By Diana Wear and Chris Broglio 

This month, the Membership Committee Co-chairs, collaborated with the Office Staff to address a number of needs we’ve been wrestling with in our post-election period as well as since the pandemic and acquiring our new office space at 12929 San Pablo Avenue.  We’ve devised plans to provide orientations for new members, ways for our community to have round table discussions and offer continuing education for RPA members.

Graphic by Alfred Twu

In late November, our progressive community learned of the untimely death of our friend and comrade, Kabir Kapur. He was just 30 years old. Kabir was a longtime, active member of the Richmond Progressive Alliance, among other political groups in the Bay Area.

The RPA deeply mourns the loss of Kabir’s brilliant mind and warm heart. His moral compass was always pointed toward justice for all people. It is fitting that this tribute to Kabir is in the same issue as our election recap since Kabir was such a fervent follower of electoral politics. 

Kabir was also an organ donor. His final act was to donate parts of himself for three people whom he had never met. 

Here are upcoming RPA meetings and events. Note, most meetings are only open to RPA members, although allies and guests are often welcome. If you are interested in becoming a member, you may do so here. Dues may be waived if they are a barrier to you joining the RPA. If you have questions about joining the RPA, or are interested in attending a meeting as a non-member, please contact  [email protected]

By Diana Wear

Diana Wear and City Council candidate for D4 Jamin Pursell getting ready to canvass.

People often ask me why I'm such an avid canvasser. I’ve been an RPA member for seven years, and each year I get new enthusiasm for walking Richmond's streets and speaking with our community. In fact, at the end of each campaign season, I’ve mentioned to our strategy teams that we ought to do this year-round and not just during campaigns.

The organizers have often smiled at that idea, haggard from the tremendous hours of scheduling, planning, recruiting, publicizing, and arranging all the on-the-ground efforts during the campaign. They just want to rest and recuperate. I get it—it’s a huge endeavor.

So, what is it about canvassing that I find so compelling?

Here are upcoming RPA meetings and events. Note, most meetings are only open to RPA members, although allies and guests are often welcome. If you are interested in becoming a member, you may do so here. Dues may be waived if they are a barrier to you joining the RPA. If you have questions about joining the RPA, or are interested in attending a meeting as a non-member, please contact  [email protected]

Graphic by: EquityTool

The RPA leadership is investing time and effort to deepen their practices in collective governance, democratic management, and racial and economic justice. We have created a new team to do this organizational work together and would love for our members to participate in the process as we recognize that we can only grow together.