One of the proudest moments of the year for the Downtown Long Beach Alliance (DTLB Alliance) is the Spirit of Downtown Awards presentation. Beginning in 2012 the DTLB Alliance has given these awards to individuals and organizations whose efforts have made a positive, transformative effect on Downtown. We invite you to applaud the 2025 winners in person during this year’s Spirit of Downtown Awards presentation ceremony! It’s this Saturday, April 5 from 5:30 to 6:30 PM at the former Acres of Books building, 240 Long Beach Blvd., during the Celebrate Downtown edition of the DTLB Art + Design Walk.
Meet this year’s recipients. They have all demonstrated their excellence at generating the energy and ideas that keep DTLB thriving.
WILLMORE CITY COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION
Before there was Long Beach, there was Willmore City! Check out this historic district’s amazing Queen Anne Victorian homes and get a glimpse of what life was like around here at the turn of the 20th century. The Willmore City Community Association (WCCA) has been dedicated to its core mission of preserving, protecting, and enhancing the quality of life in Willmore City since 1976. Experience the fruits of WCCA’s efforts at the yearly Winter in Willmore celebration and the many events that happen at the neighborhood’s crown jewel, the Bembridge House. Formerly the Willmore City Heritage Association, WCCA changed its name to reflect a new, broader mission which includes investments in cultural resources, neighborhood cleanups, tree plantings, and advocacy for effective city policies. It’s a volunteer-based organization, click here to learn more.
CHRIS SWEENEY
On the night of Jan. 7, Chris Sweeney watched on TV as the L.A. fires rapidly became a major disaster. He knew he had to do something. Using every resource available through RightMealz, his healthy meal prep business in Downtown, he ended up feeding scores of residents and first responders. He went on to raise money for a displaced family, took 50 Pasadena High School Students to their first Nations Cup match, and received the Community Hero Award at Skate for L.A. Strong! RightMealz continues to nourish healthy eaters and has a sterling reputation among elite athletes, including over 200 NFL players. Sweeney’s community-driven focus will work well at upcoming events such as the Los Angeles segment of the 2026 World Cup and the 2028 Olympics, in which Long Beach will host several events.
RHONDA LOVE
Long-time Long Beach resident Rhonda Love has deep roots in Downtown. Her career spans roles on the Queen Mary, the Port of Long Beach, and the Mayor’s Executive Team under Robert Garcia. She is a passionate advocate for arts and culture. Notable achievements include helping bring Roscoe’s Entertainment Lounge to Downtown, booking Grammy-winning artists for the Long Beach Gospel Fest, and facilitating Patti LaBelle’s headline performance at the 2017 Long Beach Pride Festival. She also helped launch KJLH’s Health Expo at the Convention Center with Stevie Wonder! Love is a digital media artist, entertainment executive, and founder of DreamKreator Studio, a nonprofit based in Downtown that blends media, tech, and art to serve the community.
BRIAN ADDISON
Distinguished journalist Brian Addison was a staunch supporter of Downtown well before he was honored as Journalist of the Year by the Los Angeles Press Club in 2015 and Food/Culture Critic of the Year by the club in 2019! A writer, editor, and photographer with over 15 years of experience, Addison covers an array of topics ranging from food and culture to transportation and housing. As founder and editor of Longbeachize, he has created an award-winning and widely viewed platform that delves into the multifaceted aspects of Long Beach’s urban landscape. Addison also manages Long Beach Food Scene, a vibrant online community that celebrates our city’s diverse culinary offerings. Through his platforms, Brian continues to be a champion for Downtown, enriching its evolution with his informed and passionate point of view.
MOSAIC DEVELOPMENT TEAM
The Mosaic Development Team is a joint venture between two real estate firms, Waterford Property Company and Turnbridge Equities. They have teamed up to lead transformative projects in Downtown that align with city goals for housing, vibrancy, and long-term economic vitality. Waterford, based in Newport Beach, focuses on addressing California’s housing crisis through essential and middle-income housing. Turnbridge Equities, a New York-based firm with offices in Los Angeles, is known for its strategic repositioning of high-potential assets in major urban markets. Together, they are committed to building projects that reflect the character and needs of Long Beach while helping cultivate an accessible, livable, and safe environment in Downtown. They collaborate enthusiastically with local businesses and organizations, regularly host events on The Promenade, and consistently apply their imaginations and efforts to help attract people to Downtown Long Beach.
ISA MCKINLEY QUIROZ RACHED
This award celebrates the legacy of Isa McKinley Quiroz Rached, a proud immigrant from Mexico whose life was defined by compassion, inclusion, and community service in Long Beach. In 2014, Rached, his mother, and his sister co-founded The B-Room, a Downtown barbershop that quickly became a cherished queer safe space and cultural hub for the LGBTQ+ community. In 2015, he launched It’s a Drag to Give, an annual drag fundraiser that celebrated queer culture while raising vital funds for local nonprofits supporting youth, the unhoused, and LGBTQ+ causes. Rached also was active about immigrant rights, putting in volunteer work with the Long Beach Immigrant Rights Coalition. His contributions earned him widespread recognition, including honors from Senator Ricardo Lara, Councilwoman Lena Gonzalez, the DTLB Alliance, and Mayor Robert Garcia. His legacy lives on as a symbol of love, inclusion, and unwavering dedication to community.