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From housing to small businesses to vibrant culture, here’s what Richard Aguilar wants you to know about his community

A man in a black shirt and tie stands in front of a store with part of a neon "Open" sign in the foreground.
Richard Aguilar witnessed an incredible transformation in the Southwood community of Albemarle County, from his childhood to today. "The stories of Southwood, of thriving businesses and vibrant festivals, are not just isolated victories; they are the foundation of a new Charlottesville," he writes.

By: Richard Aguilar

I grew up in Southwood Mobile Home park, a housing community located off 5th Street on the outskirts of the City of Charlottesville. By 2007, it was the largest Latino neighborhood in central Virginia. It was a mix of Mexicans, Salvadorians and Hondurans, who took up residency with people from many places.

Read more at Charlottesville Tomorrow.