Main Street News: October 2021

Last month we welcomed our new Executive Director, Andrea Portillo-Knowles, and said farewell to our Downtown Champion, Alicia Gallo. Also…We Sold Out! The 2021 Spirit & Soul Festival & VIP Watch Party was a success! What an amazing way to close out Summer 2021! A special THANK YOU to all of our sponsors, volunteers, staff, and performers for continuing this downtown tradition. October starts our holiday season, so join us as we celebrate the start of the fall season! 

Last month we welcomed our new Executive Director, Andrea Portillo-Knowles, and said farewell to our Downtown Champion, Alicia Gallo. Also…We Sold Out! The 2021 Spirit & Soul Festival & VIP Watch Party was a success! What an amazing way to close out Summer 2021! A special THANK YOU to all of our sponsors, volunteers, staff, and performers for continuing this downtown tradition. October starts our holiday season, so join us as we celebrate the start of the fall season! 

In This Edition
Main Street Presents: Community Calendar, Farewell to Alicia Gallo, our downtown Champion, Hello, to our New Executive Director, Cool Downtown Happenings

Guides, Resources, & Opportunities: CAMS Fall Open House 2021, Our Full COVID19 Community Resource Directory

Community Calendar 

Our meetings are open to the public. We invite you to join the movement to bring back Downtown by tuning in, serving on a committee, or becoming an ambassador. All meetings are hosted virtually via Zoom, until further notice.

Board of Directors – Thursday, October 28, 5pm
Clean & Safe Committee – Wednesday, October 13, 4:30pm
Promotions & Fundraising Committee – Monday, October 12, 12pm
Economic Development Committee – Monday, October 18, 5pm

Farewell Alicia Gallo
Downtown Champion 

Eleven years ago, I came to Richmond for the first time to interview for the outreach coordinator position at Richmond Main Street. I was excited (and a little nervous) when I joined the team and started on this new adventure. With the support and guidance of Amanda Elliott, our Board of directors, and countless dedicated community partners, I found a second home and family in Richmond.

It has been an honor and amazing privilege to have served the Downtown and greater Richmond community through my many roles at Richmond Main Street, from AmeriCorps Vista intern to Interim Executive Director.

I feel truly grateful to have met and worked with so many incredible people, all in the service of bringing back Downtown for, by, and with the community. I thank you from the bottom of my heart for welcoming me so warmly and genuinely. And I thank you for all that you do every day to make Richmond truly a place of pride and purpose.

I’m excited to take all that I’ve learned and experienced with me to wherever I go next. But mostly, I am excited for what is next for Richmond Main Street and Downtown Richmond!

Thank you for all your years of service, Alicia!

Welcome, Andrea!

Richmond Main Street Initiative (RMSI), is proud to announce the hiring of Andrea Portillo-Knowles as Executive Director. 

Knowles steps into the leadership role at RMSI from the Boy Scouts of America, where she served as a Bay Area District Director. A proud U.S. Air Force veteran, working mother, and military spouse, Knowles is passionate about community-led urban revitalization and building diverse stakeholder coalitions. 

Cool Downtown Happenings

CAMS Fall Open House 2021