Najari Smith Enriching Richmond for AARP

If Najari Smith decided to rest on his laurels, it would’ve been understandable. Over a decade ago he founded a bike shop and non-profit connecting the Black and Brown residents of Richmond, California to cycling. But Smith didn’t stop there, and at age 44 he still sees a need to bring health and wellness to his community through physical activity and engagement with parks and public spaces.

 “I'm just glad I didn't stop with just doing bicycle repair workshops. That could have just been the whole program. I'm honored that didn't keep all the ideas to myself. I didn't put myself in a box - I ripped the box open and said, “Hey, this is what I'm thinking - let's come up with a plan for how we're going to how we're going to make it happen,” says Smith.

 Recently Smith and Rich City Rides purchased three new spaces to expand the non-profit’s mission and work in tandem with Richmond’s neighborhoods.

 “Bicycles have acted as the entry point,” says Smith, “I see how other organizations use the work that they're doing - at the core of their work is connecting with people. With me it’s bicycles, but it's connecting people through bicycles.”