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# Neighbor of the Week: Kayla Booker
- URL: https://www.raincrossgazette.com/neighbor-of-the-week-kayla-booker/
- Published: 2024-06-23T11:59:25.000Z
- Updated: 2025-10-14T22:04:55.000Z
- Description: Each week, we will introduce a new neighbor. This is not a who's who list. These are regular Riversiders doing exceptional things.
- Author: Gazette Staff
- Tags: Community, Neighbor of the Week, Column, #bulk-2025-10-14

Kayla Booker ran for the Ward 1 seat in the crowded Riverside City Council election of 2024\. She didn’t win, but that isn’t going to stop her from working to make the city a better place. She keeps a full schedule and just finished organizing the 4th Annual Riverside Juneteenth celebration. Kayla is a Riverside Woman’s Club member, serves on the board of Riverside Neighborhood Partnership, participates in The Group, NCNW, and NAACP, and founded The Black Collective. Booker is also a member of the Riverside Young Democrats and Black Young Democrats.

Kayla isn’t a native, but she has adopted Riverside as home, and her positive energy and tenacious work ethic are certainly welcome. “I moved (to Riverside) to study at RCC and pursue a degree in sports therapy. However, Riverside offered me something far beyond academics—it became my home and community. Riverside instilled a passion for service and empowered me to advocate for my beliefs.”

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**What is your favorite restaurant?** Habanero Mexican Grill in the Eastside; everything on the menu is amazing, and the customer service is top-tier

**What is the most beautiful building in Riverside?** Downtown Streets. The view with trees, flowers, and a good sunset. You can't go wrong with that.

**What is your favorite Riverside small business?** Mrs. Tiggy Winkles or Drangon Marsh. Crystals and jewelry are my favorite items.

**What is your favorite Riverside non-profit organization?** The B.L.A.C.K. Collective.

**The Festival of Lights: Every year on opening night or maybe on a Tuesday?** Opening night with the fireworks and the Christmas music with my family is my favorite Christmas tradition.

**What is your go-to sandwich in town?** The Upper Crust Sandwich Shoppe, the soup and sandwich meals are my favorite.

**What is your favorite spot for a date night?** This a hard one: The Lobby or Molinos.

**Do you call it the Galleria or Tyler Mall?** Tyler Mall

**What is one place in Riverside you would bring back if you could?** A place for our youth to socialize and enjoy themselves and stay out of trouble. Giving them a safe place is really important for our community and city.

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*Neighbor of the Week is a series profiling the hidden heroes of Riverside, doing incredible works of service throughout our different neighborhoods.*  
[*Nominate a Neighbor of the Week*](https://rgnotw.paperform.co/?ref=raincrossgazette.com)