In the past year, people from all over the country have heard about Meadowview because it's the neighborhood where Stephon Clark was shot and killed by Sacramento Police.
On Saturday the community came together to share stories about what it was like to grow up there, and how they hope to reshape the community for the future.
"It's not what it used to be," said Meadowview resident, Robert Roots. "It's a better community, it's growing."
Saturday's Meadowview Community History Festival was organized by Capitol Public Radio. The radio station is working on a year-long project that's focusing on taking a deep dive into the history and daily lives of residents in the South Sacramento neighborhood.
"People in Meadowview tend to let us know that they feel stigmatized, that they feel that there's a stereotype around crime and problems, and they don't see it that way," said Jesikah Maria Ross, Senior Community Engagement Strategist for Capital Public Radio. "Sure there are issues, but there are a lot of amazing groups and organizations, and a lot of people coming together to do really creative responses and solutions."
Robert Roots, known as 'Coach Roots," has lived in Meadowview since the 1980s.
"I left here to go to the military, and it was all bad. Everywhere you went, you would see people hanging out, people drinking, and liquor stores and all that," he said. "Now, you see the retail stores that you see everywhere else. It's changed."
After serving in the military, Roots moved back to South Sacramento to serve his community. He now spends most of his time working to keep kids off the streets by coaching them on the court.
"I was always busy and now I have time. That's all I have is time to work with these kids and I know that these kids can make a change," Roots said. "So, if we start with them now, later on, we're going to have a better community, better kids, better everything."
As activists and community leaders continue to push for changes that will improve the lives of those living in areas like Meadowview, Roots thinks there's still a lot of work to be done, but says it's important to recognize the progress that has been made.
"With the police shootings and all the things that happen, people get sidetracked and they want to go after the police more and the City," Roots said. "If they're out here more and get more involved, and have more for the kids to do, I think it will be in a much better place."
________________________________________________________________
ONE MORE FROM ABC10: Months after Camp Fire, flowers blooming in Paradise
The evidence of the fickleness of the Camp Fire is obvious. The fire snatched houses here and there, sometimes between two other houses that remained standing, seemingly untouched. Still, flowers are blooming, even within the scars of once proud homes.