Blogs

Leaders in America’s cities and regions are grappling with the fallout of a severe pandemic, historic economic crisis, and social and racial reckoning. In this post-crisis moment, a wide range of local government, business, civic, and community organizations—which in the past tended to operate in isolation, if not at cross purposes—are navigating their disparate narratives and goals, rethinking their missions to drive economic and racial inclusion, and forming new systemic alliances that will enable them to improve and scale their efforts. Drawing inspiration from case studies profiling efforts to “rewire systems” in five older industrial cities (Akron, Ohio; Birmingham, Ala.; Cincinnati, Ohio; St. Paul, Minn., and Syracuse, N.Y.), this report provides a framework and practical examples that can guide local action and state, federal, corporate, and philanthropic investment in cities across the nation. 

Margaret Sullivan 

Monday, October 26, 2020

Brookings Institute Blog: Place Making Post Cards

The economic fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic has exposed both the fragility of our nation’s civic infrastructure, as well how much our communities rely on it. But even as states and localities face crushing budget shortfalls, the public amenities they offer—parks, recreation centers, libraries, etc.—are stepping up to provide communities with essential resources to weather the pandemic and build resilience in the months to come... 

https://www.brookings.edu/blog/the-avenue/2020/10/26/how-a-new-haven-library-is-connecting-residents-to-the-citys-innovation-economy/amp/

Could worker ownership of corporations hit mainstream US politics in 2020? Some Democratic presidential candidates are making that case, reports Jeff Stein in the Washington Post...

https://nonprofitquarterly.org/will-worker-ownership-seize-center-stage-in-us-politics-in-2020/?utm_content=117346822&utm_medium=social&utm_source=linkedin&hss_channel=lcp-542508

We must suspend the “privilege” of complacency that nothing can be done; the privilege of empathy that makes us feel good but leads to no action; and the privilege of ignorance, especially of how deeply racism is at the heart of so much poverty...

https://www.newhavenindependent.org/index.php/archives/entry/community_convening/