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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LISC CEO is an ImpactAlpha “Agent of Impact”

ImpactAlpha has named Maurice A. Jones, president and CEO of LISC, one of their "agents of change," citing the organization's extraordinary success attracting capital in the wake of the pandemic to fund minority- and women-owned small businesses and underinvested communities hit hardest by Covid's fallout. “If this is a real commitment for long-term patient capital to invest in these communities," says Jones in the article, "there is no question in my mind that we can collectively achieve much greater economic mobility."

From the Watts Rebellion to George Floyd, South LA Charts a New Path Toward Racial Justice

In an op-ed for Next City, Tunua Thrash-Ntuk, ED of LISC LA, and Hanna Love of the Brookings Institution trace the historical roots of community self-determination in South Los Angeles and argue that it's high time for public and private sector leaders to support the model for investment these activists have forged. They draw on the findings of their recent co-authored report on South LA's potential for equitable recovery in the wake of the Covid pandemic. Both are must-reads.

Breaking Down the Barriers to Health Equity: Q&A with La Tasha Barnwell

LISC Emerging Leaders Council member La Tasha Barnwell describes her work in public health and the imperative of a holistic strategy for closing the racial wealth gap.