During the Spring Quarter of 2020, the Center for Regional Change (CRC) hosted a series of virtual gatherings for current and prospective CRC Faculty Affiliates interested in discussing their research and possibly collaborating on future research on a variety of topics with other faculty and researchers affiliated with the CRC.

Like so many of you, the staff at the Center for Regional Change have been confronting feelings of rage and sorrow over the murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery and so many others, the tip of a very large iceberg of systemic racism. We also grieve for more than one hundred thousand COVID-related deaths that disproportionally affect people of color and low-income people. And, we are seeking ways we can be in solidarity and support of people of color who are dying in the streets and in their homes and those who are protesting and speaking out to make Black lives matter.

As we embark on a new year, (and indeed new decade), the Center for Regional Change is rolling out several new approaches to the way we tell stories of regional change and otherwise communicate with our partners. You may have noticed a new look for our e-newsletter Region Matters. Have you also noticed our new logo? Developed over the last several months, our new logo strives to represent the variety of regions that we work with, including rural and urban communities, and natural and built environments.

Last week the California Strategic Growth Council convened policymakers, researchers, and community leaders for a symposium on climate change. During the opening panel, USC Professor Manuel Pastor joined Tribal Chairman Valentin Lopez and CRC Regional Advisory Committee Member Carl Anthony. In this dialogue, the panelists shared stories elucidating issues of environmental racism. Professor Pastor pointed out that when examining the siting of environmental disamenities, race dominates income. "It is not about the economy," he said. "It is a function of power."

Six months ago, Next City announced that Sacramento had been selected as the next destination for the annual Vanguard conference and the UC Davis Center for Regional Change would serve as the local host. The Vanguard conference convenes rising urban leaders from different sectors, disciplines, and communities around the globe.

A few years ago I took my children on a tour of the State Capitol Building. My daughter was very interested in the art—the wood work, the decorative tiles, and the paintings. After viewing the gallery of Governor portraits, she turned to me and asked, “Where are all the girls?” We know that representation matters. When we see people like ourselves in positions of leadership, it signals that someone who shares our history and worldview is making decisions that reflect our interests and values.

The Center for Regional Change was honored last week to host three visiting faculty from the King Faisal University in Saudi Arabia, including Dr. Majed Alshamari, Dean of the Faculty of Computer Science and Information Technology, Dr. Faten Dhawi Almahnaa, Vice Dean, Deanship of Development and Quality Assurance, and Dr. Fahad Ben Duhaish, Vice Dean, Deanship of Admission and Registration. The team came to UC Davis to learn about models of applied research organizations such as the CRC.

Since California recognized the Human Right to Water in 2012 as a foundational approach to the provision of safe, abundant, and affordable drinking water to all residents, many community and policy organizations have been working to put this right into reality.

This month has been a time of transition for the CRC. In addition to celebrating the student employees and fellows who have completed a successful academic year, we also celebrated several milestones for the CRC staff. Two of our colleagues returned to work after taking leave time to welcome new babies into their respective families. We welcomed a new member to our team and sent our well wishes to a colleague leaving to take on new opportunities.

Author: Cecilia Laura Morales

Before serving as community engagement coordinator for the Center for Regional Change, Nancy Xiong already felt like the organization was family from simply reading about it and realizing how much of its mission aligned with her personal goals. Once she joined the team, her connection to the center was reinforced.

Author: Cecilia Laura Morales

George Villa embodies kindness. And not in the way a stranger is kind for holding a door open or your grandma is kind for baking cookies.

After spending a day at a juvenile correctional facility in Stockton, Calif. doing healing work and sitting in traffic to get back to Davis, Villa spoke gently. He sat calmly, but there was a palpable passion surrounding everything he spoke about.