San Joaquin County’s largest city has taken its fair share of hits over the past few years – high crime, high foreclosures, high unemployment, less-than-friendly recognition from Forbes magazine, and city bankruptcy.

It might seem from the outside that there is little to promote about the city.

But don’t tell that to a powerful coalition of business, community and education leaders who are banking on the city’s success.

“Stockton Forward is a call to action for all Stocktonians to join our movement, be proud of our city, and help tell our story,” said Roger Salazar, spokesman of the grassroots effort to promote the good in the region. “The founding members of our organization have made individual strides in propping up our city, but by banding together with other community partners, we can move our community forward.”