From his upbringing in the Philippines, Saldy Suriben’s mother gifted him with an understanding of how to make friends easily and the importance of hard work. His father died when he was three months old and it was just him and his mother from then on. He had no brothers or sisters. “I’m proud of...
Welcome to In the Spotlight.
This monthly feature spotlights the people who make San José an incredible place to call home. From unsung heroes to former city leaders and politicians who’ve disappeared from the public eye, 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 José. One person at a time.
Who should we feature next? To nominate someone for our next In the Spotlight profile, email [email protected].
San Jose native opens doors for immigrant entrepreneurs
Yacanex Posadas grew up mostly on the north side of San Jose. He worked multiple jobs at a young age to help his family, who told him everyone can use a hand. “My dad always taught me about standing up for the little guy,” Posadas said. “My grandma always used to say, be the voice...
FIRST 5 CEO works to support Silicon Valley children
A new CEO aims to bring expertise in whole-child-thinking to FIRST 5 Santa Clara County. Jennifer Kelleher Cloyd, 49, brings her experience as chief program officer and attorney at the Law Foundation of Silicon Valley to the youth-focused organization. She takes the helm from former longtime CEO Jolene Smith, who retired in 2021. FIRST 5...
San Jose’s Darlene Tenes makes sure farmworkers are appreciated
While efforts were made to help essential workers during the COVID-19 pandemic, one of those core groups—farmworkers—was overlooked. One woman made it her mission to change that dynamic. San Josean Darlene Tenes wanted to support those who toil in the fields. She understood their vulnerability to COVID, pesticides and smoke from wildfires. She assembled a...
San Jose Vietnamese community at center of Philip Nguyen’s advocacy work
The Vietnamese American Roundtable is becoming a household name in the South Bay, and at the core of the transformative effort is its first ever executive director, Philip Nguyen. Nguyen, who served as a part-time program manager starting in 2020, took on the leadership role last summer, marking a pivotal point for the growing organization....
Regina Williams understands affordable housing in Silicon Valley
Regina Celestin Williams knows firsthand the importance of equitable housing, especially in the Bay Area. As a Richmond native, Williams grew up in Barrett Terrace, an affordable housing project that provided stability for her and other families in the area, she said. “I came into affordable housing with a great passion because I’ve benefited from it,” Williams...
Danny Sanchez wants to change the lives of East San Jose youth
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...
‘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...
Silicon Valley entrepreneur reimagines education
One Silicon Valley entrepreneur is devoting his life to create programs where students think outside the box and take ownership of their learning. Bill Zhao is the founder of Harmony Plus, which provides in-person and online classes for students and executives across the United States and abroad. Professors from universities including UC Berkeley, Stanford, Harvard, MIT...