Ontario BIA Association’s Post

Juneteenth is a day to celebrate the freedom of all Americans and to reflect on the progress that has been made, as well as the work that still needs to be done to achieve racial justice. At Colorado CarShare, we are committed to creating a more equitable and just transportation system. We believe that everyone should have access to affordable and reliable transportation, regardless of race, income, or where they live. That's why we offer discounted rates to low-income residents and partner with community organizations to provide transportation to underserved communities. We also encourage our members to use their CarShare vehicles to support Black-owned businesses and community events. On Juneteenth, we invite you to join us in celebrating the freedom of all Americans and to recommit ourselves to working towards a more just and equitable society. #Juneteenth #FreedomDay #RacialJustice #TransportationEquity #protecttheearth #savemoney #colorado #carshare #carshareCO #coloradocarshare #explorecolorado #coloradolifestyle #coloradoliving #carsharing #electriccars #sustainabletransportation #hybrid #environment #sustainability

Here’s something to look at.

Highlighting the Hamtramck Arts & Culture Commission The Hamtramck Arts & Culture Commission is committed to nurturing, promoting, and enhancing the artistic and cultural scenes in Hamtramck. By implementing programs that educate, involve, and bring together our diverse community, they strive to improve the quality of life for every resident. Vision: A Hamtramck where everyone flourishes with universal access to the arts, fostering understanding and strong community bonds. Values: Community: Bridging diverse arts and cultural initiatives. Accessibility: Inclusive spaces for all, including marginalized groups. Aesthetics: Recognizing all art forms and traditions. Autonomy with Accountability: Responsible resource management. Relevance: Influential leadership and broad impact. Equity: Addressing racial injustice and enhancing visibility. Sustainability: Dedicated, accountable board members. Join them in celebrating and supporting the arts in Hamtramck! #HamtramckArts #Community #Inclusion #Culture #Equity

Yesterday, I wrote and delivered this national trends report to my local Goose Creek, SC Cultural Arts Commission. This report offers insights into emerging trends in the arts sector focusing on community engagement, equity, accessibility, and supporting diverse leadership within the arts. While some recommendations are tailored specifically to Goose Creek, such as supporting local arts-based businesses and making arts spaces more accessible, the overarching themes of inclusivity, equitable practices, and the importance of community engagement are universally applicable. This report encourages communities everywhere to evaluate their arts programming and initiatives through these lenses, suggesting that even those outside Goose Creek could find valuable strategies and ideas to apply locally. Whether it's diversifying the types of art presented, ensuring equitable pay and contracts for artists, or enhancing accessibility for all community members, there's a wealth of insights that can inspire positive changes in arts communities nationwide. #ArtsInnovation #CommunityArts #EquitableArts #CulturalTrends #ArtsAccessibility #InclusiveArts #LocalArtsImpact #CreativeCommunities #ArtsAdvocacy #GooseCreekArts

STAR 2.0: Street Art for the Future Globalisation has widened the gap between the rich and poor, and recent challenges like climate change, pandemics, and high inflation have only made things worse. Inequality is at an all-time high, leading to widespread poverty, poor health, and limited educational opportunities. Social inclusion is more critical than ever to create a society where everyone, regardless of background, has access to the resources they need. The Power of Street Art Art isn't just for galleries and museums. It's a powerful tool for promoting mental health, education, and civic engagement, especially for young people. Street art can transform public spaces and bring communities together. The STAR 2.0 project is all about using the power of street art to connect and uplift disadvantaged youth, giving them an opportunity to express themselves in their communities. What We’re Doing We’re on a mission to train youth workers to use street art as a tool for social inclusion. Through a comprehensive set of resources—including a detailed curriculum, online training, and a community platform—we’re equipping these workers with everything they need to help young people create impactful street art projects. Get Involved: Our Activities Youth workers will engage in an online training program to organize street art activities within their local communities. These activities will include workshops with local artists, mural creation for social expression, video documentation of the process, and community events to celebrate the art and bring people together. Our Goals Empower Youth: Help youth workers engage young people in street art activities to support their communities, build solidarity, and develop active citizenship. Raise Confidence: Empower disadvantaged youth by boosting their self-determination and confidence through artistic expression. Promote Awareness: Educate youth workers, citizens, and local authorities about the innovative use of public spaces and the potential of street art for social inclusion. Innovating for Impact Street art is everywhere in the EU, but there’s a lack of standardized knowledge on how to guide these projects effectively. STAR 2.0 aims to fill this gap by providing a comprehensive toolkit for using street art as an educational and social tool. This toolkit will help organizations and youth workers understand local needs, engage communities, co-design projects with artists and citizens, navigate legal aspects, and incorporate educational elements into their street art initiatives. Expected Results: STAR 2.0 Curriculum: A comprehensive guide for using street art in social inclusion. Online Training Course: Training for youth workers on leveraging street art for social inclusion. Online Community: A platform for youth workers and stakeholders to share experiences and practices. Street Art Interventions: Significant art projects co-created by the youth, fostering social expression and community engagement.

The Displacement Of Local Businesses In London: The Inside Story What Michael Clinkett’s sobering journey to save his local business from displacement in London teaches us about our future cities. #urbanregeneration #urbanplanning #displacement #communities #resilience #activism

Classic streets have always strengthened a community's civic sense and increased opportunities for synergy, rather than fostering inorganic focal places, like big-box malls in the middle of nowhere. Pg 210, The Art of Classic Planning #classicplanning #traditionalarchitecture #classicstreets

Reflecting on the insightful article 'The Link Between Walkable Neighborhoods and Race,' I couldn't help but draw parallels to my own experiences as a South African immigrant in Canada. Living in River Club, Johannesburg, a neighborhood that was great on paper but plagued by rising crime rates, I understand firsthand how the built environment shapes our daily lives and choices. The article's exploration of the racial divide in access to walkable neighborhoods in the San Francisco Bay Area is a stark reminder of how deep-seated issues of inequality and social factors influence urban living. It resonates with the systemic challenges we faced in South Africa due to Apartheid, where structural inequalities have long dictated the quality of life and access to resources for different communities. As the article highlights, even when controlling for factors like housing values and proximity to transit, racial disparities in access to walkable neighborhoods persist. This finding echoes my observations in Johannesburg, where the quality of neighborhoods and access to amenities like safe walking paths were unevenly distributed, often along racial lines. In Canada, I've witnessed a different urban landscape, but the core issues of accessibility and equitable urban planning remain universal. The article's emphasis on the need for inclusive urban development that considers social and cultural factors, not just economic ones, is a crucial takeaway for city planners and policymakers. As we strive to create more inclusive and walkable cities, it's imperative to consider the diverse needs and backgrounds of all residents. This article is a powerful reminder that walkability isn't just about infrastructure; it's about creating communities where everyone has the opportunity to thrive. #imaginecities #wearecitymakers #inclusionmatters

You don't have to be on the same team to find value in and enjoy others. Learning from different experiences and perspectives can be invaluable. Regardless of opposing views, everyone brings their own beliefs and values. So, let's connect and share our light, regardless of the team we are on. #diversity #inclusion #teambuilding #presence #truenature https://lnkd.in/eTwqXDmd

What I'm reading this week: In Feminist City, through history, personal experience and popular culture Leslie Kern exposes what is hidden in plain sight: the social inequalities built into our cities, homes, and neighborhoods. Kern offers an alternative vision of the feminist city. Taking on fear, motherhood, friendship, activism, and the joys and perils of being alone, Kern maps the city from new vantage points, laying out an intersectional feminist approach to urban histories and proposes that the city is perhaps also our best hope for shaping a new urban future. It is time to dismantle what we take for granted about cities and to ask how we can build more just, sustainable, and women-friendly cities together. Check it out: https://lnkd.in/gNg2uU_U