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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The “Grace” of Growing Up in Mutual Self-Help Housing: Q&A with Nadia Villagrán

In honor of Hispanic/Latinx Heritage Month, we spoke with Rural LISC's Nadia Villagran, to learn about her experience growing up in a mutual self-help community, and how it shaped her family's lives, her own world view and her career as a community developer and a Latina leader in rural California.

In Rural Texas, Seeding Small Businesses, and Generational Wealth, with the Help of Kiva—and a Kiva Trustee

Kiva loans supported by LISC are a lifeline of zero interest capital to dozens of micro-business owners in underserved places across the country. But just as critical to the loan’s success as an entrepreneur’s dreams and drive is the role of the Kiva trustee—a trusted, community-based partner who supports borrowers from application and business development all the way to loan repayment. Joseph Ceasar, founder and CEO of Legacy Institute for Financial Education in rural Lufkin, TX is an exemplary Kiva trustee, on a mission to bring financial know-how and stability and generational wealth-building back to his community.

Centering Students, Truth and Innovation

As students across the country return to school this month, the LISC Charter School Financing team reflects on the challenges facing its portfolio schools as they work to create authentically safe, empowering and anti-racist learning communities. It’s a journey that parallels our own at LISC as we enact our commitment to racial equity and justice, inclusivity and transparency.