Reflections from the 2026 State of the City Address: Leveling Up the City

Pictured HMI Founder & President Selin Yildiz Nielsen, Ph.D. & Media & Communications Coordinator Nanyori Davis-Arnold

Reflections from the State of the City Address: Leveling Up the City

Earlier this year, HMI attended the State of the City address, led by Mayor Patricia Lock Dawson, to celebrate Riverside’s growth and explore opportunities for partnership and community impact. The evening was a powerful reminder that progress is not just about metrics—it’s about people, leadership, and intentional collaboration. For our team, the event offered insight into the city’s priorities and reinspired others to look into how HMI’s work aligns with Riverside’s vision for a stronger, more welcoming community.

Connecting with Community Leaders

HMI was especially inspired by the presentation of the Hero Award to the Civil Rights Institute, recognized for its advocacy, education, and dedication to civil rights. The award underscored the importance of working alongside organizations that are dedicated to the preservation of civil history and accountability. It was a great highlight of the night seeing organizations and leaders committed to advancing equity and opportunity. Following the event, we initiated follow-up conversations via email with several partners to explore ways we can collaborate and extend our impact in Riverside.

Pictured HMI Founder & President Selin Yildiz Nielsen, Ph.D. & RCC Chancellor Wolde-Ab Isaac

Expanding HMI Programs in Alignment with City Goals

The State of the City address highlighted measurable improvements across Riverside, including a 35% drop in overall crime, declining unemployment, and economic growth in sectors such as aviation, aerospace, healthcare, and education. For HMI, these discussions reaffirmed our focus on workforce and youth development. We are excited to expand our employment opportunities through the new Reading and Math Club, providing pathways for UCR students to support youth academic development while gaining meaningful work experience.

Health, Environment, and Sustainability

The city’s commitment to health and sustainability also resonated with HMI. Initiatives like clean air programs, healthcare access improvements, and the UCR teaching hospital reflect long-term investment in community wellness. We were inspired by Magnolia Church’s recognition for sustainability leadership, demonstrating the power of local institutions to drive environmental change. These commitments align closely with HMI’s mission to support programs that improve quality of life for Riverside residents.

Building Community and Future Partnerships

From the declaration of a new Riverside Adventure Center to efforts reducing youth and unsheltered homelessness, the address highlighted Riverside’s commitment to equity and public investment. HMI left the event energized, with clear next steps: building partnerships, expanding programming, and aligning our initiatives with the city’s priorities for workforce, education, and wellness.

Moving Forward

The closing message of the address was clear: progress is a responsibility. Leveling up the city requires continued collaboration, accountability, and intentionally in investments. Attending the State of the City reaffirmed HMI’s role as both a participant and collaborator in Riverside’s growth. As the city levels up, HMI continues to create pathways for employment, education, and community impact, ensuring that progress reaches the people who need it most.

HMI invites all community leaders and members to get involved to help shape the Riverside we all deserve and envision. You can volunteer with our programs, contribute your time to support youth development, or donate to help expand HMI’s initiatives. Every action helps us create a stronger, safer, and more equitable city—together, we can put in the work to ensure progress reaches everyone.