20 under 40: Reggie Rucker

Favorite quote or saying, why?

“A life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives.” – Jackie Robinson

It reinforces my belief in the connectedness of our planet, and speaks to the idea that our well-being as individuals cannot be isolated from the well-being of those around us.

Community or professional highlights:

I just love being able to work with so many of the wonderful businesses and venues that have highlighted the best of Modesto over the years. From the Gallo Center for the Arts to X Fest to Modesto On Ice, these three alone cover the entire spectrum of cultural vibrancy in Modesto. Being trusted by these and many other businesses in this community to literally speak for them across social media and digital platforms is a highlight in its own right.

Beyond that, being able to use the foundation built by my work to support nonprofits like the Boys & Girls Clubs of Stanislaus County, Haven Women’s Center, Ride for Mom, and the like, and now producing Modesto Fashion Week as an event of my own, it’s all a bit surreal. When I started on this journey almost five years ago doing contract work independently, I had no real expectation of where I was going. But now, having an office downtown with a full-time employee, and receiving invitations to speak at Rotaries and being acknowledged for honors like these – I’m blessed.

Your life changed when:

I’d have to say my life changed when I moved to Modesto. I was 10, moving from Alameda, a small town adjacent to Oakland. I was certain I was going to become a professional baseball player at the time. In fact, one of my classmates did just that (Dontrelle Willis, 2003 National League rookie of the year), and I swear to this day I was a little better than him before I moved to Modesto. But, for what Modesto lacked in a sporting culture that didn’t quite nurture my athletic growth, what moving here created in me, I think, was a belief that I was rare.

I was always one of two or three black students in my class, and I was always aware of what that meant. There was a responsibility I felt I had to correct the prejudices and stereotypes that existed in the minds of my classmates. None malicious or even intentional in most cases, but problematic nonetheless. I could tell a million stories of growing up a Rucker that explain where my competitiveness and relishing of challenges comes from, but this was certainly another challenge that I embraced.

Over time, though still present, that mission evolved and manifested itself in an aspiring rap career where I was intent on changing perceptions of blackness, to today where I have committed myself to changing the perceptions of this community. I can’t pinpoint when this transition took place, or why, really. But this thread of altering the perceptions that become reality is a common one, and I don’t believe coincidental, and all certainly stemmed from the move in 1992.

What do you want people to know most about you?

That I’m single. Lol. Jokes aside, I’d just have to say how much I love and appreciate my family. It is moments like these where I’m humbled beyond words to be recognized for my work in this community, but I am keenly aware that only what is seen by others is actually me. That’s just the last 10 percent. Everything before that is what my mother and father instilled in me by never letting me settle for anything less than my best. I mean never. And what was so special about it was the way they communicated this was out of so much love, confidence and belief in who I could be as a person, my only goal in life was to make them proud. Maybe I’m biased, but I think that is rare, and I’m more proud of them than they could ever be of me.

The same goes for my brother, who was the enforcer of this mentality. My parents set the tone, but my brother was the one by my side growing up, making sure I was living up to the highest of standards. It wasn’t always pretty, but the message was clear: Don’t just be. Be the best. They’re the real MVPs.

What do you like most about living here?

I just love the opportunities that exist to make this community whatever we want it to be. Of course there are traditions and a history here, but there is enough of a blank canvas that gives a creative mind and a determined spirit ample space to play with. It has always bothered me when people complain that there’s nothing to do here. One, it’s not true. But, to the extent that there is not more to do, or there are certain challenges that we face, I love the opportunity to play a role in creating these activities and overcoming these challenges.

A friend of mine once told me he heard a speaker talking about two types of communities. There are communities that are ideal for sustainers, and then those that are ideal for builders. The New Yorks and L.A.s of the world are for sustainers. Those cities are what they are, and you sustain them by your contributions. Modesto is for the builders. If you want something here, there’s a good chance you’ll have to build it. I like that. Make it happen.

Why is community involvement important?

Especially in a community like ours, it is important to be involved because we are still trying to decide and shape what we’re going to be for the next 50 to 100 years. It’s a fight that shows up in Wood Colony and X Fest and Amgen and debates large and small in between. If you care about the future of this community, you have a responsibility to play your role in shaping it. Everybody’s role is different, but your responsibility is as meaningful as anybody else’s. It’s involvement that leads to ownership that leads to pride that leads to a desire for greatness. If we can get there, there’s no limit to what our future holds.

This story was originally published August 21, 2016 at 6:07 AM with the headline "20 under 40: Reggie Rucker."