Cesar Zepeda, City Council Candidate

A health and benefits broker by trade, Cesar Zepeda is passionate about helping his community.

Zepeda, 37, ran unsuccessfully for the Richmond City Council in 2016 and is trying again this year.

After immigrating from Mexico when he was 8 years old, Zepeda grew up in Richmond and San Pablo, attending Helms Elementary School, Richmond High School and Contra Costa College.

Over the past few years, Zepeda has helped start several local organizations and initiatives.

Zepeda co-founded Richmond’s first LGBTQ organization, Richmond Rainbow Pride. He also led a successful campaign, Bring Back Music to Richmond schools, to bring music programs to underserved schools. Bring Back Music to Richmond schools raised $100,000 to fund new instruments at Richmond High School and Kennedy High School.

His deep-rooted belief in communities thriving by helping one another led to his co-founding Calle 23, a group dedicated to enhancing, promoting and improving the neighborhood in and around one of Richmond’s busiest streets—23rd street.  

Zepeda said he’s “a candidate that gets things done.”

His priorities are to build affordable housing, promote local hiring and expand economic development by insisting developers work with local, skilled traders who are paid prevailing wages. Doing so would ensure that people building the housing can afford to live in Richmond, too, he said.

Zepeda also hopes to promote preventive measures to tackle crime long-term and ensure the future reduction in violence. His proposed solutions include encouraging Richmond police to work collaboratively with residents to address neighborhood issues and improve safety; supporting Ceasefire Richmond and other community-based efforts to reduce violence; and advocating for enrichment and recreation programs for youth.  

In keeping with his stance on a collaborative community, Zepeda said, he is committed to supporting better collaboration with business and government to take advantage of Richmond’s location on the bay and the potential to bring more international trade though the city. In addition, he said, he plans to search for opportunities to bring basic necessities like grocery stores and a hospital to the City of Richmond.