Neighbor of the Week: Erik Chen

Erik Chen has called Riverside home since 2016, and at just high school age, he is already giving back to it in ways that would impress most adults. A student at Martin Luther King High School, Erik serves as Editor-in-Chief of the school newspaper, the King Courier, President of the Speech and Debate team, and a member of the Science Olympiad Varsity team. Outside school, he sits on the Riverside Youth Council — and he recently launched an initiative where he and a small group of friends, a vocalist, a violinist, and a pianist, perform classical and pop music at local nursing homes. Follow their performances on Instagram at @bachinmyday_.

Readers of the Raincross Gazette may already know Erik's byline. As one of our high school writers, he has covered Riverside with a range and maturity that would impress journalists twice his age — from City Hall civic tours and the city's new AI assistant, to his own school's take on the statewide cell phone ban, neighborhood wishlist for the vacant Woodcrest Rite Aid, a profile of MLK grad Joseph Or's journey to Yale, and a look at the future of driverless transportation. In every story, he finds the human thread that makes Riverside feel like a community worth paying attention to.

What does Riverside mean to you? To me, Riverside is my home. The ethnic and cultural diversity that make up this community is truly outstanding, and I look forward to preserving this sanctuary. Riverside represents a citrus seed. Similar to the fruit that is rooted within Riverside's foundation, I believe that Riverside is a growing and prosperous city that will only continue to expand in an upward trajectory. The "blossoming season" of Riverside is in the near future.

What is your Mt. Rubidoux summit count (estimated)? I think around two. It's pretty low — I'm trying to get it up during the summer once the school work dies down!

What is your favorite restaurant outside of Downtown or Magnolia Center? Koreana Grill and Sushi Okoku — though I'll be honest, I'm not entirely sure either one clears the boundaries!

What is the most beautiful building in Riverside? City Hall, UC Riverside's Multidisciplinary Research Building, or the Orange Terrace Library — it just hits different.

What is your favorite Riverside small business? Mythos Chef, but they recently closed. :(

The Festival of Lights: Every year on opening night, or maybe on a Tuesday? Every year on opening night for sure!

What is your go-to sandwich in town? The smash burger at Smoke and Fire Social Eatery.

What is your idea of a perfect weekend day in Riverside? Performing and connecting with residents at a local nursing home, taking a full walk around Lake Perris, and eating out at Riverside Plaza with family and friends.

Do you call it the Galleria or Tyler Mall? Definitely Tyler Mall!

What is one place in Riverside you would bring back if you could? Mythos Chef. The food was great — it was a shame they had to close.

If you could put one message on a billboard on the 91, what would it be? Recalculating...

Finally, tell us what you're working on right now and how our readers can support your efforts. I am currently doing a civics project where my friends and I perform at local nursing homes in Riverside. We do a variety of classical and pop music, with a vocalist, violinist, and pianist. You can support our initiative by following us on Instagram at @bachinmyday_. I am also writing for the Raincross Gazette, covering all the amazing things people are doing in our community! Have a story to tell? Reach me at chenerik08@gmail.com or on Instagram at @erik_chem — and I'll do my best to make it happen!

Neighbor of the Week is our way of celebrating the hidden heroes of Riverside—those who go above and beyond to make our community stronger, kinder, and more vibrant. We believe every remarkable Riversider deserves their story told. Know someone who’s making a difference? Nominate a Neighbor of the Week