An Open Streets Family Reunion: Reflections from the 2018 Open Streets Summit

By Ryan O’Connor, Director of Programs, 8 80 Cities Recently 8 80 Cities wrote a blog post about open streets being a labour of love. That being the case, the 2018 Open Streets Summit in New Orleans felt like a family reunion of sorts. It was rejuvenating to see old and new friends who share our passion for open streets and are working tirelessly to create healthier, happier, and more connected communities across the world. The event, which took place on September 15-16, brought together more than 50 leaders who currently organize open streets programs or are interested in bringing the...

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Open Streets Summit Draft Agenda

We hope you are getting ready and feel excited about the Open Streets Summit in Gretna/New Orleans! Taking place from September 15-16, 2018, the Summit will feature tours, presentations and networking opportunities with open streets champions and organizers from across the continent. Attendees will learn about the nuts and bolts of starting or scaling up open streets programs, including: Route design and planning Partnerships with business and officials Social inclusion Safety and logistics Marketing and promotion Program evaluation through measurable goals and metrics If you haven’t done it yet, click here to register for the Open Streets Summit only or...

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Open Streets Summit Speakers Announced!

The Open Streets Project is proud to announce that Ed Solis from Viva Calle (San Jose, CA), Romel Pascual from CicLAvia (Los Angeles, CA), Jaymie Santiago and Charles Brown from New Brunswick Ciclovia will join us as speakers for the 2018 Open Streets Summit in New Orleans and Gretna! Taking place from September 15-16 2018, the Summit will feature: Behind the scenes tour of the City of Gretna’s inaugural open streets program. Workshops, presentations, and networking opportunities with open streets champions and organizers from across the continent. Training and inspiration for both -novice and experienced- open streets organizers and supporters...

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These Nonprofits Give Small Businesses What They Need to Survive and Thrive

So much goes into the relationship between small businesses and the nonprofit business development organizations (BDOs) that are dedicated to supporting them and helping them grow. The three BDOs profiled here, longtime LISC partners, have gone above and beyond to help entrepreneurs survive the COVID-19 pandemic. They know that the wellbeing of small businesses means jobs preserved, goods and services are accessible to the community, and local economies have a better chance of weathering the pandemic-borne recession.

Fay Darmawi: In Her Own Words

Fay Darmawi is a social practice artist who focuses on cities, storytelling, and media. She is the Founder and Executive Director of the SF Urban Film Fest, a film festival focused on civic engagement inspired by great storytelling. I spoke with her in February 2020 and again in May and July 2020.

In a Time of Crisis, Business Development Organizations Step Up

Small business owners cherish their independence, but they can also use outside advice and technical assistance to be successful—or simply to survive a crisis like the pandemic. And that's where business development organizations (BDOs) come in. LISC BDO partners link their on-the-ground networks and insight with LISC’s national scale, funding and expertise to support small businesses, in the midst of COVID, and for the future.