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East San Jose native Danny Sanchez grew up surrounded by violence, absent parents and broken dreams. He spent his adolescence and young adult years in and out of prison, tangling up in gang activities and staring down a path of self-destruction. At age 29, on the verge of death in his mom’s bathroom after taking...
In the Spotlight
Welcome to In the Spotlight.
These stories spotlight the people who make San Jose a remarkable place to call home. From unsung heroes to community leaders, we catch up with San Joseans who are doing amazing things — and we share the awe-inspiring stories behind their struggles and successes.
We are telling the unique, ever-changing, diverse story of San Jose. One person at a time.
Who should we feature next? To nominate someone for our next In the Spotlight profile, email [email protected].
‘Helping people is satisfying for me’: Gabriela Chavez-Lopez takes back the power
Gabriela Chavez-Lopez learned about the power of organizing from an early age. Born and raised in the Central Valley, the birthplace of the farmworker movement, Chavez-Lopez grew up hearing stories about Cesar Chavez and Dolores Huerta. She was inspired by their ability to mobilize the community to aid farmworkers and create policy change. “Here are these...
Judy Rickard spent a lifetime fighting for LGBTQ rights in San Jose
Judy Rickard didn’t realize she was a lesbian until graduate school. The 73-year-old spent the next 50 years of her life fighting for LGBTQ rights. “I always knew I was different but I didn’t know what that was,” Rickard told San José Spotlight. “If you’re different and you know it, it’s one thing. If you’re...