Neighborhood Kid, Full-Court Vision

From the basketball courts of Cabrillo High to the pages of his new book, David McGill-Soriano shows how a kid from West Long Beach can change the game. A proud Cabrillo graduate and Long Beach Unified alum, his journey began in the Washington neighborhood, where lessons in resilience, leadership, and community shaped his rise from student-athlete to author, nonprofit founder, and youth advocate.

Rather than moving away, David chose to return and invest in his community. He founded Books & Buckets, a nonprofit that blends basketball with mentorship and civic engagement, and helped launch Long Beach’s first Office of Youth Development, giving young people a voice in shaping the city’s future. His efforts have brought resources, revitalized parks, and inspired hope for the next generation of Long Beach students.

Now, David is sharing his journey in his debut book, Neighborhood Kid: Don’t Just Make It Out, Make It Better. Blending personal storytelling with a call to action, the book shifts the idea of success from simply “making it out” to building something more substantial at home. Through his words and his work, David shows what it means to be Long Beach through and through: rooted here, proud here, and committed to making neighborhoods better for those who follow.

LBUSD is proud to celebrate David’s accomplishments, which reflect the very spirit of our Graduate and Adult Portraits: prepared, resilient, and dedicated to creating a better future for his community.