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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Boston Children’s Hospital, BayCoast Bank, & Dana Farber Cancer Institute Invest in LISC Growth Capital Fund for Businesses Owned by People of Color

LISC announced it has closed with Boston Children’s Hospital, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, and BayCoast Bank on a new growth capital fund that will invest in growing businesses owned by Black, Latino, and Indigenous entrepreneurs and other people of color.

A Partnership Dedicated to Economic Inclusion: Five Questions for Wells Fargo’s Jenny Flores

LISC and Wells Fargo have worked together for more than three decades to expand economic opportunity for underserved communities, investing more than $1.7 billion in affordable housing, economic development and entrepreneurship--with $182 million invested in the last three years alone. We recently asked Jenny Flores, head of Small Business Growth Philanthropy for the bank, about what drives its community commitments and why CDFIs like LISC are important to its strategy.

The Transformative Power of an Expungement Clinic in the Mississippi Delta

One in three Americans has a criminal record, many of which reflect dropped charges or fines their holders simply couldn't afford to pay. In Greenville, MS, where far too many people, especially Black residents, can't pursue their goals because of barriers created by their records, LISC and a coalition of partners launched an expungement program to help job- and education-seekers get those charges and fines dismissed. It's part of a movement to upend the criminalization of poverty and help people advance on the path to wellbeing and financial stability, in Greenville and beyond.