National City, California: Together We Can

National City, California is taking a comprehensive and integrated approach to community improvement by connecting economic development, environmental justice, food systems and land use. In close proximity to major interstates and home to the San Diego Port Terminal and a major portion of Naval Base San Diego, National City has significant air quality and pollution challenges.
But this thriving multi-ethnic community with its extensive community organization network and even more robust, active citizenry is rising to confront these environmental challenges head on and with equity top of mind. “Together We Can” is the city’s motto, but that idea is more than civic boosterism for this tight-knit working class community. National City has developed a pipeline of homegrown leaders that is elevating community voices from volunteer organizations to City Hall.

Learn more about National City’s story and the rest of the 2020-2021 RWJF Culture of Health Prize winners at www.rwjf.org/prize.