We’re more than a team — we’re a community. Get to know the people behind Rich City Rides who work every day to uplift our neighborhoods, support youth, and make cycling accessible to all.
Najari Smith
Executive Director
Shots Lopez
Park Equity Project Manager
Gabriella Zacarias
Youth Fellowship Manager
Rico Guerra
School Programs Manager
Mayeli Rico
eBLL Project Manager
Carlos Torres
Outreach Manager
Babatunde Odessanya
Operations and Facilities Manager
Deannah Hadley
Administrative Assistant to Executive Director
Zariyah Hill
Bike Shop Associate
Park Equity Team
Justice Abdullah
Park Equity Associate
Quincy Rivers
Park Equity Liaison
DeAndre Smith
Lead Mechanic
Our Board Members
Malik Seneferu
Board Vice Chair
Evan Francis
Board Member
Joy Hill
Board Member
Kenya James
Board Treasurer
Meet The Team
Najari Smith
Founder & Executive Director
Najari Smith is a longtime Richmond resident and community organizer focused on sustainable transportation, cooperative economics, and equitable development. He founded Rich City Rides in 2012 to bring bike access, wellness, and joy to historically underserved neighborhoods through rides, giveaways, and grassroots initiatives.
His leadership has shaped Rich City Rides into a movement for grassroots change, rooted in equity and care. Beyond the bike shop, Najari works within local and national cooperative networks to build community-owned wealth and long-term resilience. Whether on wheels or in the community, he’s committed to moving Richmond forward—together.
Shots Lopez
Shots Lopez
Robin D. López, also known as “Shots,” is a Richmond and San Pablo native whose work bridges science, environmental justice, and community empowerment. With a background in civil and environmental engineering, he brings a unique perspective to Rich City Rides — connecting data, research, and grassroots advocacy to promote healthier, more sustainable communities.
Robin began his higher education at Contra Costa College before earning degrees in Civil and Water Resources Engineering from San Francisco State University and San José State University. He spent a decade as a researcher at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and is now pursuing a Ph.D. in Environmental Science, Policy, and Management at UC Berkeley, studying groundwater’s role in Coho salmon survival.
At Rich City Rides, Robin volunteers as a photograher and advisor, helping amplify community stories and advance environmental education. He is passionate about using his scientific expertise to inspire collective action and believes Richmond is a community of untapped potential — full of creativity, resilience, and power.
Gabriela Zacarias Lopez
TCC Youth Fellow Project Manager
Gabriela Zacarias Lopez brings a strong background in education, mentoring, and leadership to her role at Rich City Rides. She graduated from California State University, East Bay with a bachelor’s degree in Sociology and a minor in Spanish. Her professional journey spans student success, sales management, and caregiving — experiences that have shaped her skills in communication, data analysis, and coaching.
As the TCC Youth Fellow Project Manager, Gabriela leads the Richmond Rising Youth Fellows Program under the Transformative Climate Communities (TCC) initiative in partnership with the City of Richmond. She oversees the recruitment, training, and professional development of Youth Fellows, designing modules focused on climate equity, community engagement, and workforce readiness. Collaborating with Rich City staff and local partners, she ensures that every Fellow gains the tools and confidence to become a leader in their community.
Outside of work, Gabriela enjoys exploring new restaurants—especially local mom-and-pop shops—learning about elephants, and spending time with family, friends, and her dog, Coco
Mayeli Rico
eBLL Project Manager
Mayeli Rico leads Rich City Rides’ Electric Bicycle Lending Library with a deep commitment to sustainability, accessibility, and community impact. With an extensive background in construction and project management, she has worked across multiple industries—from playground design and fire restoration to the Life Sciences sector—where she specialized in Commissioning, Qualification, and Validation (CQV) for critical facilities.
A proud product of Richmond’s vibrant community, Mayeli brings both technical expertise and lived experience to her role. As a Mexican immigrant and woman of color, she is driven to create opportunities that empower historically underserved communities. Through the E-Bike Lending Library, a key initiative of the Transformative Climate Communities (TCC) grant, Mayeli is helping Richmond residents access free, zero-emission transportation that supports health, equity, and environmental resilience.
Outside of work, Mayeli loves being a mother to her daughter, tending to her garden, rescuing plants, and creating intricate miniatures like dioramas and automatons. She stays active through fitness and nutrition, embracing a lifestyle that nurtures both body and spirit.
Carlos Torres
Outreach Manager
Born in El Salvador in 1978, Carlos immigrated to the Bay Area in 1987, escaping the civil war. He grew up in Richmond’s Iron Triangle neighborhood, which he has proudly called home ever since. His lived experience fuels his dedication to community engagement, storytelling, and advocacy for equitable mobility and opportunity.
As Outreach Manager for Rich City Rides, Carlos connects residents to the organization’s programs, events, and resources, helping expand access to cycling as a tool for health, wellness, and empowerment. Drawing on his own story of relying on a bike for transportation during challenging times, he champions transportation equity and believes deeply in Richmond’s “untapped potential.”
Beyond his work with Rich City Rides, Carlos is a screenwriter and soccer coach who uses his platforms to uplift local stories, encourage youth, and build community across the Bay Area.
Enrico Guerra
School Programs Manager
Enrico Guerra brings deep experience in youth development, team leadership, and community building to Rich City’s School Programs. With a background in sociology and a strong commitment to equity, he works closely with local schools to foster student leadership, collaboration, and advocacy.
Enrico is passionate about empowering youth to use their voices and shape their environments. Outside of work, he enjoys spending time outdoors with his family, learning new skills, and running a community-focused creative business rooted in design and screen printing.
Babatunde Odessanya
Operations and Facilities Manager
Babatunde leads Rich City Rides’ operations and facilities, ensuring that each space — from the community bike shop to org events — runs smoothly, safely, and in service to the organization’s mission. His work helps sustain the day-to-day systems that make Rich City’s programs possible, supporting staff and community members alike.
With over 20 years of experience in film, media, and community organizing, Babatunde brings a unique blend of creativity and operational expertise to his role. Before joining Rich City Rides, he founded the Black and Latino Filmmaker’s Coalition and African Studios, producing and directing films that uplift stories from underrepresented communities.
He continues to mentor young creatives and enjoys exploring ways that art, mobility, and culture intersect to drive social change.
Deannah Hadley
Administrative Assistant
Deannah brings over six years of administrative experience to Rich City Rides, with a strong background in community-based organizations and logistics coordination. Before joining Rich City, she supported operations in both the healthcare and public sectors, helping streamline programs, manage transportation logistics, and improve organizational systems. She is currently pursuing a degree in Business Administration with an emphasis in Information Management, expanding her expertise in data management and operational efficiency.
Outside of work, Deannah enjoys creative projects, exploring new places, and spending time with her dog, Oatmeal. She’s passionate about building systems that make community work more connected, accessible, and sustainable
Justice Abdullah
Park Equity Associate
Justice supports park equity initiatives and leads group rides that connect Richmond residents to safe, welcoming outdoor spaces. His journey with Rich City Rides began in 2021 as an intern, inspired by a simple bike repair and a community ride that sparked a deeper passion for cycling.
Now in a leadership role, Justice organizes park assessments, cleanups, and community rides to promote health, environmental awareness, and community connection. Through his work, he continues to empower residents to reclaim and reimagine Richmond’s parks as spaces of joy, healing, and belonging.
Quincy Rivers
Park Equity Liaison
Quincy has been part of Rich City Rides for several years, beginning his journey as a JEDI Youth Fellow before stepping into his current role with the RichPEP team. His experience across multiple programs has given him a deep understanding of community engagement and the power of creativity in public spaces.
As a Park Liaison, Quincy supports youth engagement, creative and artistic strategies, and assists the RichPEP Project Associate in advancing park equity initiatives. Through his work, he helps promote access, inclusion, and safe, vibrant spaces for all Richmond residents.
Passionate about both art and parks, Quincy continues to champion projects that bring people together and highlight the beauty of Richmond’s green spaces. Outside of work, he enjoys creating art, staying active, and finding new ways to connect creativity with community.
DeAndre “Dre” Smith
Lead Mechanic
As Lead (and only) Mechanic at Rich City Rides, Dre is responsible for ensuring every bike that comes through the shop receives the care and attention it deserves. He takes pride in efficient, high-quality repairs and in creating a welcoming space where every rider leaves confident and road-ready.
A longtime member of the Rich City community, Dre previously served as President of the Rich City Rides Bike Club Program and continues to play a vital role in keeping Richmond rolling. His work supports the organization’s mission to empower the community through sustainable urban development, transportation equity, and wellness.
Dre is passionate about community building and is committed to seeing Richmond thrive in unity, peace, and pedals. Outside of the shop, he enjoys perfecting his craft as an artist, playing Fortnite, working on classic muscle and JDM cars, and serving as a youth pastor at Beacon Light SDA Church. You can also find him at Rich City’s weekly Self-Care Sunday rides — a true reflection of his dedication to faith, bikes, and community.