Bay Area Proud

As many want to move forward from this pandemic, some are reflecting back on a unique time in their lives. NBC Bay Area’s Garvin Thomas found a UC Santa Cruz senior doing just that in his own way on this edition of Bay Area Proud.

When the pandemic meant that Jordan Ramirez couldn’t run marathons, he says he came up with “something else.” Garvin Thomas reports.

When the pandemic meant that Jordan Ramirez couldn’t run marathons, he says he came up with “something else.” Garvin Thomas reports.

When the coronavirus pandemic forced gyms to close, Marlon Harrison and his friends turned to cycling for exercise. They now want other people of color to join them on the road. Garvin Thomas reports.

When the coronavirus pandemic forced gyms to close, Marlon Harrison and his friends turned to cycling for exercise. They now want other people of color to join them on the road. Garvin Thomas reports.

For homebound seniors, the social isolation brought on by the pandemic was tough to endure. Fortunately, for some in the South Bay, the Health Trust’s Friends From Meals On Wheels program was there to help. Garvin Thomas reports.

Serina Abu Arafeh has spent the past 10 years working on becoming a nurse. When she was scheduled to work the day of her college graduation, she was fine with it. Her co-workers were not. Garvin Thomas reports.

Serina Abu Arafeh has spent the past ten years working on becoming a nurse. When she was scheduled to work the day of her college graduation, she was fine with it. Her coworkers were not. Garvin Thomas reports.

While rescuing a swimmer at Sunny Cove in Santa Cruz, 17-year-old surfer Zade Stone-Hinds lost his board. People on the beach, and later online, made sure Stone-Hinds got a new one, and then some. Garvin Thomas reports.

Lan Nguyen and her fellow volunteers have been baking Asian delicacies in their kitchens and then bringing them to a Hayward park to give away to passersby. Lan says her goal is simply to use food to connect people and perhaps break down barriers. Garvin Thomas reports.

A doctor at Highland Hospital is crediting the Oakland Zoo with saving a man’s life by helping him procure a medicine in a form not approved in the U.S. for human use.

A doctor at Highland Hospital is crediting the Oakland Zoo with saving a man’s life by helping him procure a medicine in a form not approved in the US for human use. Garvin Thomas reports.

Jerry Nelluvelil started a GoFundMe that ended up raising thousands of dollars he used to create gift bags with T-shirts, study supplies, and their favorite snack foods. Garvin Thomas reports.

Since the start of the pandemic, a group of San Mateo neighbors began gathering to dance the hokey pokey every day at 4 pm. They just celebrated their 365th consecutive day. Garvin Thomas reports.

Since the start of the pandemic, a group of San Mateo neighbors began gathering to dance the hokey pokey every day at 4 pm. They just celebrated their 365th consecutive day. Garvin Thomas reports.

Dozens of people showed up Saturday at Bay Area Proud’s Blood Drive in San Jose organized by NBC Bay Area’s Garvin Thomas.

When Kaiser manager Robert Douglass, a dad himself, saw a lost stuffed bunny, he knew someone probably missed it a lot. He went to great lengths to find its owner. Garvin Thomas reports.

When Kaiser manager Robert Douglass, a dad himself, saw a lost stuffed bunny, he knew someone probably missed it a lot. He went to great lengths to find its owner. Garvin Thomas reports.

Join NBC Bay Area’s Garvin Thomas at the Bay Area Proud Blood Drive on Saturday, March 27 from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at San Jose’s Princeton Plaza. The annual blood drive will be hosted by the Stanford Blood Center. Make your appointment today! Blood donation remains an essential activity. Individuals who are not currently instructed to quarantine for...

When Jeffrei Pettaway graduated high school, he decorated his cap with the words “The Hood Produces Quality.” Three years later, he’s brining those words to life. Garvin Thomas reports.