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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Rocket Community Fund & LISC Launch $2M Program in Four Cities to Grow Financial Stability for Underserved Residents

The new Rocket Wealth Accelerator leverages LISC’s Financial Opportunity Center network in four cities to pair financial coaching with a savings account match program to help families of color meet emergency needs, build credit, and grow generational wealth.

Wishing You a Peaceful & Happy Holiday Season

This holiday season, we extend a heartfelt thank-you to all the community partners, residents, funders and staff who make our work possible.

Rebalancing Community Power for More Effective Neighborhood Investment

Even when economic development programs succeed in boosting livelihoods and community investments, they too often fail to benefit the very people and places experiencing the harmful impacts of long-term, systemic economic deprivation. That’s a failure of commitment. Here, LISC program officer Teresa Garcia makes the case for a new approach to economic development that centers the communities most in need—and makes equity its guiding aim.