Dear Friend —

Tomorrow, December 13, I'm excited to honor some of the most distinguished community leaders in Long Beach with Keys to the City. Rich Archbold and Naomi Rainey-Pierson have made incredible contributions to our community and I am thrilled to be presenting them with this recognition in my final key to the city presentation as mayor. 

Community members are invited to attend in person or stream the presentation live on LBTV or the City’s YouTube channel here. The presentation will take place at 4:30 PM in the City Council Chambers.

Below you can learn a little more about each of the recipients before we see them in the City Council Chambers tomorrow.

Rich Archbold was born with ink in his veins. In his more than 60 years of distinguished journalism experience, Rich has worked as a reporter, city editor, managing editor and editor. Most notably in our community, Rich joined the Press-Telegram in 1978 as managing editor and was appointed executive editor in 1997. In 2010 he began a new role as Public Editor and columnist. Under Rich’s leadership, the Press-Telegram has won many significant awards. Among them: the Associated Press Managing Editors Public Service Award for a local high school recruiting scandal, a National Headliner award for an investigative series on patient dumping at hospitals and the Greater LA Press Club award for Best Newspaper in LA County.

Rich is well known throughout the journalism field and has been active in several professional organizations, most notably the Associated Press Managing Editors Association (APME) where he was named national president in 1994. He also was president of the California Associated Press News Executive Council. In 2019, Rich received the Distinguished Journalist Award from the Society of Professional Journalists, Los Angeles chapter.

Beyond his unparalleled influence on our community through journalism, he also has been an amazing community leader and mentored some of Long Beach’s finest through his various roles with the Leadership Long Beach Institute. This recognition will honor his professional, personal and community-focused achievements and more.

Naomi Rainey-Pierson has spent her life dedicated to the service of her community. Many know Naomi for her constant and steady leadership with the Long Beach National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) branch. She has been actively involved with the NAACP since the age of 14, is a past vice president of the California State Conference NAACP, and has served as president of the Long Beach Branch since 2000.

Beyond being a storied civil rights activist, Naomi is also an award-winning educator, philanthropist and entrepreneur and is a sought-after diversion, inclusion and equity consultant. Throughout her years of community work, she has committed to the development of youth exemplified by her outstanding efforts in activities with the NAACP’s Afro-Academic, Cultural, Technological and Scientific Olympics: a program that inspires young Black students to expand their horizons and sharpen their skill in the performing arts, culinary arts, humanities, visual arts, business, science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

Because of her vast knowledge and commitment to service, Ms. Rainey-Pierson has served on many volunteer boards and commissions, including those of Long Beach City College Foundation, Los Angel County Natural History Museum, St. Mary’s Medical Center, MemorialCare Todd Cancer Institute and Long Beach Cancer League — and has received a number of special honors in recognition of her efforts. A proud Long Beach State alumnae, whose dorm was named in her honor, Naomi has also continually given back to CSULB in every phase of her life and was recently recognized for her work with an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters (L.H.D.) degree during the 2019 Commencement ceremonies. Ms. Rainey-Pierson also currently serves on the Long Beach Water Commission and is a trailblazer being the first African American female to serve on the board.

Thank you and Go Long Beach! 

Mayor Robert Garcia