Richmond to host inaugural Sustainable Richmond Expo this Saturday

The free Sustainable Richmond Expo 2026 debuts Sept. 26 at Richmond City Council Chambers, bringing together businesses, educators, youth groups and local officials around sustainability, innovation and community solutions. The event is designed to spotlight practical projects and help shape Richmond’s future sustainability efforts.

Why it matters: - The inaugural expo creates a public forum for Richmond residents to connect sustainability ideas with local projects and people doing the work. - The event is aimed at students, educators, youth organizations, community groups and environmental organizations. - The Expo is meant to help shape future sustainability efforts in Richmond.

What happened: - The Sustainable Richmond Expo 2026 is set for Saturday, Sept. 26, at the Richmond City Council Chambers. - The free event runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 440 Civic Center Plaza in Richmond, California. - Admission is free, and all are welcome. - Exhibitor and sponsor applications are open through Sept. 24. - The event is being promoted at sustainablerichmond.com.

The details: - Confirmed exhibitors include MCE, Curious Explorers Academy, GRID Alternatives, Oasis Landscape Solutions, Walk & Roll, Power, Cooperation Richmond, Conscious Construction, JC Heating and Air Conditioning and The Orus, LLC. - All Things Good will feature home efficiency and electrification, including electric heat pumps. - Richmond Pacific Railroad will highlight freight rail’s role in green technology and clean transportation. - The Expo is spearheaded by Commissioner Gloria Sewell-Murphy, Founding Chair/Lead of the Sustainability Subcommittee. - Sewell-Murphy previously served as Founding Coordinator/Executive Director of the Oakland Arts Council and introduced the City’s first Comprehensive Cultural Planning and Development Concept Plan. - Sustainability Pioneers will be honored at the event. - Sewell-Murphy will also present a display on industrial hemp and other emerging sustainable products and services. - City and county officials expected to attend include former Mayor Gayle McLaughlin, Richmond Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Vernon Whitmore and Chair Rich Doellstedt. - YEE TV youth reporters will cover the Expo and interview participants. - The event will stream on YouTube at @CreationsBerkeleyStudio. - Sponsors include MCE, the City of Richmond and Communications Team.

Between the lines: - The Expo ties sustainability to economic development, youth engagement and cultural change, not just environmental policy. - Sewell-Murphy’s arts background suggests the organizers see innovation as both a technical and community-building effort. - The mix of exhibitors points to a broad definition of sustainability that includes housing, transportation, agriculture, materials and public education. - A local livestream and youth reporting signal an effort to widen participation beyond people who can attend in person.

What's next: - Organizers will use the Sept. 26 event to gather community input on what Sustainable Richmond should become next. - More exhibitors and sponsors can still apply before the Sept. 24 deadline. - The Expo’s first year could set the template for future Richmond sustainability programming.

The bottom line: - Richmond is using a free, one-day expo to turn sustainability into a community conversation with practical local examples and room for public input.