Roots of RAP part 3: Mitchell Salazar, Loyal to the Soil

RAMA Blueprints

In a multi-part episode, we begin to tell the story of Mitchell Salazar, the Real Alternatives Program's executive director from 1984 to 1999. We cover from the blocks of San Francisco's Bernal Heights as a young hustler with a deep entrepreneurial drive, to the legacy in the Mission for his You & I dances, to the young community leader who led RAP at the young age of 24, Mitchell's tenure at RAP, the level of youth services expanded, which also included starting a four year high school and a teen clinic.

Mitchell passed away in 2022. His story is a complex one filled with twist risk and opportunities. We follow a handful of events that not only help shape one of the San Francisco's Mission District's most effective community leaders, but also show what his heart and intentions were for the actions and decisions he made.

We are honored to have called Mitchell Salazar, our mentor, our friend, our brother.

This episode was written and edited by Darren J. de Leon and Host Socorro Gamboa for the 5 Sisters Audio Garden.

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