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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Another $2.5 Million Deployed to Buoy Small Businesses in Our Communities

More than 200 small businesses, the majority owned by minority, women and veteran entrepreneurs, received grants of up to $10,000 this week to help them stay afloat during the Covid-19 crisis. The grants are part of a $7.5 million collaboration with Verizon to support enterprises in underinvested communities across rural and urban America.

Combatting a Water Crisis with Entrepreneurship, and Heart

Jonathan Quarles is a Flint, MI small business owner who received a $10,000 grant from LISC and Verizon to help weather the pandemic's economic crisis. His business is a story worth telling: Quarles harvests and distributes clean water from the atmosphere, creating jobs, opportunity and "empowering the city that raised me" in the bargain.

Dave Matthews Band to Broadcast Benefit Concert for LISC Small Business Fund

All donations made during the full live performance broadcast tonight at 8 p.m. will got to LISC's rapid relief fund for small businesses in communities hit hardest by the Covid-19 crisis.