Opinion

Commentary: Soulful Softball Sunday Brings Its Magic To Prison

Published

9 years ago

July 1, 2017

Richmond-area residents participated in a Soulful Softball Sunday Ministry softball game against the San Quentin Hard Timers at the state prison on June 4.

By Rodney Alamo Brown

The people of Richmond have proven in recent years that we can work together to build a safer community that focuses upon opportunity and education.

Together, we began to reach out to our young people and to bring people from all over the city to one place, including the warring factions, in order to successfully shed the city’s past reputation for being one of the nation’s most dangerous.

One important piece in sustaining Richmond’s vastly reduced crime rate is to ensure those who once wreaked havoc on our city can share in these opportunities, an effort that will require both atonement and reconciliation.

On June 4, nearly a dozen Richmond residents including KTVU/FOX and Former Gold Glove Winner Oakland A’s Pitcher Mike Norris joined me at San Quentin State Prison to film an exclusive piece on our Soulful Softball Sunday Ministry.

The prison event is an extension of the award-winning Soulful Softball Sunday that I launched at Nichol Park in Richmond.

The fun, family-friendly gathering of community members connects residents to important resources, encourages healthy living and provides financial assistance to college-bound Richmond students.

Soulful Softball Sunday had a large enough impact at Nichol Park to warrant entering San Quentin. On June 4, about 200 Richmond natives and others attended a fun softball event at the prison during which 11 Richmond-area residents played against the Hard Timers, a San Quentin softball team featuring inmates.

The game was just as it was at Nichol Park: incredible fun. We laughed and enjoyed conversation with the inmates. One of our players hadn’t seen his cousin, an inmate serving a life sentence, since 1988.
They recalled old times. Another player, Reggie Hunt from Richmond, played on the visitors team and led off the game with a base hit. He was all smiles.

That freeing feeling of running to first base would be fleeting. Once the game ended — we lost to the home team, 22-15 — Reggie would return behind the walls to continue his sentence. But Reggie, who led us in prayer after the game, didn’t see it as a loss.
A few players commented that for the duration of the game, San Quentin didn’t feel like a prison: it felt like Richmond with a wall around it.

It wasn’t about the game. It was about a brotherhood and understanding that they may have made a mistake in their life but their life isn’t a mistake.

It’s a calling that we in our Richmond community want to move forward as a peaceful community of opportunity, and that we want everyone in on it: even those who may have contributed to the city’s past woes.
The Soulful Softball Sunday Ministry offers a chance to allow guys I’ve grown up with to express sorrow to the families they’ve destroyed. Even more, establishing such connections allows us to get closer to the reasons members of our community choose a life of crime, and to do what we can to prevent that from happening.

This is Gateway to Healing 101. We do it with sheer love, understanding and commitment. We’ll let you know when we plan to do it again so that you may join in on this new wave.
Rodney Alamo Brown is an award-winning Richmond community advocate who launched Soulful Softball Sunday two years ago.

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Advice

Women & Wealth: Tips for Navigating Your Lifelong Financial Journey

Published

3 weeks ago

March 15, 2026

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Sponsored by J.P. Morgan Wealth Management

We are in the midst of a seismic shift in wealth. This phenomenon, often referred to as the “Great Wealth Transfer,” describes the unprecedented movement of assets from the Baby Boomer generation to their heirs – an estimated $105 trillion by 2048. And women are poised to inherit most of this.

J.P. Morgan Wealth Management’s 2025 Investor Study found that women are not only set to receive significant wealth – they’re actively working to build it on their own. Ninety-three percent of women surveyed who are expecting an inheritance aren’t relying on it to reach their goals.

Here are a few tips for women to consider in their wealth-building journey:

Create a financial roadmap

A detailed, well thought out plan is important. J.P. Morgan’s study found that 90% of those surveyed with a plan feel confident about reaching their financial goals, compared to 49% without one.

Your plan should reflect your unique goals, priorities and circumstances. Consider your investment horizon and risk tolerance, and remember to revisit your plan regularly as life evolves.

Are you saving up for goals like buying a house, sending your kids off to college or retiring early? Where do you want to be in the next five, ten or twenty years? Everyone’s financial situation is unique, so it’s important to think about these questions and build a plan that is unique to your life.

Women tend to live longer than men on average. Many take career breaks or care for family members, which can influence long-term planning. It’s important to adjust your strategy with these factors in mind.

Where to start with investing

Don’t let misconceptions hold you back. Starting to invest doesn’t require a large sum, and beginning early can be beneficial. The earlier you start, the more time your money has to potentially grow over the years. Understand your overall financial situation, set clear goals and develop a long-term plan.

It’s important to also make sure you’re covered for unexpected expenses that come up before you start to invest. Build up a cash emergency fund, typically enough to cover three to six months of expenses, and pay down any high-interest debt.

Taking charge of your finances

The good news is that women are taking charge of their finances. J.P. Morgan’s research found that 75% of women respondents make financial decisions with their partner or take the lead themselves. For those who have a spouse or partner, it’s important for each person in the relationship to play an active role in the process.

Building wealth can be empowering for many women. The same survey found that 73% of women respondents said money gives them “security,” while 64% of Gen Z and Millennial women associated it with “freedom.”

The power of having a team

Some people find it helpful to work with a financial advisor, so you don’t have to tackle things alone. An advisor can help you craft a plan tailored to your needs and keep you on track throughout your lifelong financial journey. If you expect to receive an inheritance, you should also consult with estate planning and tax professionals.

No matter where you are on your wealth-building path, education is key. It’s so important to be an informed investor, and there are plenty of resources out there to help. You can find a library of free educational resources at chase.com/theknow.

As the landscape of wealth continues to evolve, women have a unique opportunity to shape their financial futures and those of generations to come. By staying informed and planning ahead, women have the tools to help them confidently navigate the Great Wealth Transfer and set themselves up for financial freedom.

The views, opinions, estimates and strategies expressed herein constitutes the author’s judgment based on current market conditions and are subject to change without notice, and may differ from those expressed by other areas of J.P. Morgan. This information in no way constitutes J.P. Morgan Research and should not be treated as such. You should carefully consider your needs and objectives before making any decisions. For additional guidance on how this information should be applied to your situation, you should consult your advisor.  

JPMorgan Chase & Co., its affiliates, and employees do not provide tax, legal or accounting advice. You should consult your own tax, legal and accounting advisors before engaging in any financial transaction.  