On October 17th, GLIDE staff celebrated the successful launch of our Reverend Cecil Williams Community Ambassadors program.

Kicking off at 10 AM with songs from our GLIDE ensemble, the event allowed the public to meet the ambassadors, each with a unique story and passion for their work. Funded by Mayor London Breed’s 30X30 initiative, these ambassadors are here to connect residents with services, work with local businesses, beautify neighborhoods, uphold safety, and strengthen community support in the Tenderloin.

Our lobby was filled with community members, staff, media, partner organizations, and guests. Our ambassadors shared their stories, illustrating their deep passion for serving this community, which resonated with everyone present.

Russell Roberts, a Reverend Cecil Williams Community Ambassador, said, “We know the struggles in this community because we have faced them ourselves. Our passion for this work comes from our experiences and the understanding that we are just a difficult day or a few missed paychecks away from the realities we see on our streets daily.” Ron Merkerson, another Community Ambassador, added, “We bridge the gap between clients and the organizations that serve this community.”

Our ambassadors in the Tenderloin community have been instrumental in preventing overdoses and assisting community members in finding housing. Shirleen McSpadden, the Executive Director of the Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing (and former board member of GLIDE), recognized their efforts by saying, “You carry the spirit of GLIDE’s co-founders, Reverend Cecil Williams and Janice Mirikitani, in the work that you do.”

News crews from KQED and KPIX followed our ambassadors as they worked in the Tenderloin, capturing their vital daily routines. The ambassadors cleaned the streets and were greeted by business owners with hugs, handshakes, waves, and smiles. Reporters were surprised to see how each ambassador was known by name, not only by local business owners but also by unhoused individuals, displaying their strong relationships in the community.

It is not easy, and it certainly comes with its challenges. As Kenneth Holloway, one of our ambassadors, put it, “The reward is knowing that I’m making a difference—whether small or big every day I come to work.”

Our Ambassador Day was one to remember. Please say hello to our ambassadors if you see them in the Tenderloin; they are present every day of the week. They are easily recognizable in their purple vests as they continue the legacy of Reverend Cecil Williams and Janice Mirikitani. As we remember Reverend Cecil, we must ask ourselves, “What would Cecil do?” Our ambassadors embody the answer to that question.