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Want to change the world? Start with your city.
The most politically active Americans – Republicans and Democrats, alike, both urban and suburban – agree that strong cities are essential to a strong nation. They associate cities with the nation’s cultural legacy, its diversity, its ability to innovate and its ability to compete in a global economy. In fact, according to new research commissioned by CEOs for Cities from Lake Research Partners, agreement is so strong on these points that it is no longer simply opinion. It is a widely shared value among Americans.
If you care about providing access to opportunity in the form of education and jobs, breaking our dependence on oil, reducing carbon emissions, reversing the growing problem of obesity, and demonstrating that the American dream works best when we take full advantage of our diversity, then you have to be concerned about cities. Because cities are the best place – in some cases, the only place – we will solve these challenges.
Strong cities are the backbone of a strong America, and it is in our interests to work collectively to ensure the strength of our cities.
How will you respond to this opportunity? What will you do to make your city stronger and thereby make America more competitive?
Urban enthusiasts are already taking action in a number of ways. In Tampa, citizens read about cities like Portland and Chicago that enjoy a green dividend by driving fewer miles and decided to work to reduce car travel locally. A group of young leaders in Memphis decided that local politics needed an infusion of new leadership. With little experience, they organized to find and elect candidates. So far, they’ve been successful in electing new leadership to the local school board, City Council and County Commission.
Now we invite you to share your work. Tell us what you’re up to and what you see happening that makes your city a better place to live. We’ll post the ideas here and use them to inspire others.
Together, we can make sure that we never repeat the expensive mistakes of the past when we treated our cities as disposable. Together, we can make sure that our cities thrive as the places that can best meet today’s challenges and provide a better way of life for everyone.
Connecting Innovators with Our Cities
August 1, 2008
Aly Khalifa, Owner, Gamil Design, Inc. and Co-Founder, Designbox was a panelist at the Urban Next Summit. He provided a clear structure for self-organizing that is used for SPARKcon a creative festival of sorts that integrates the exploration of technology, art, independent business and inclusivity. Could cities and other organizations use similar techniques to stimulate civic action? His presentation can be found below and if you would like be part of the next SPARKcon event it will be held this September in Raleigh, NC.
Urban Next Summit in NOLA
June 6, 2008
Almost three years after Hurricane Katrina, New Orleans is still recovering from a storm that destroyed 80 percent of the city. While many are still struggling, New Orleans has also attracted thousands of young people from diverse backgrounds, who are passionate about rebuilding an American city in a more equitable way. By creating coalitions of talented young people in the private and public sector who work together, New Orleans is engaging urban enthusiasts in the rebuilding process.
While New Orleans has a unique opportunity to build its talent pool, what makes a city a magnet for passionate young people? How can a city engage this talent? And how can a city hold onto these individuals in the future?
We invite you to participate in the Urban Next Summit to help answer these questions. This special opportunity to join the national conversation on cities will take place in a city where young people from diverse backgrounds have been instrumental in the rebuilding process. While exploring a number of city issues together, this gathering will be organized to facilitate meaningful connections between emerging and established leaders.
Conference attendees will have the opportunity to:
- Hear from and meet a number of distinguished speakers and panelists
- Share and learn about innovative strategies for cities
- Participate in discussion forums to inform others on the work happening in cities
- Connect with emerging and established urban leaders from cities across the nation
- Explore New Orleans as an insider
Topics will include:
- Attraction and retention of talent
- Creating a culture of opportunity
- Advocacy for urban enthusiasts
- Idea generation surrounding current urban challenges and opportunities
- Messaging for cities
- Connecting innovators to our cities
Apply to be part of the Urban Next Summit by clicking here. Applications are due by June 15, 2008. View the draft agenda here.
If you have any questions please contact Bridget Marquis at bmarquis@ceosforcities.org.
MyCity
June 5, 2008
Get connected with urban enthusiasts and urban leaders through MyCity, a new social networking site for people passionate about cities, supported by CEOs for Cities.
MyCity is a platform for idea sharing across cities and across sectors in the growing movement to build successful cities. Participants can post discussion topics, photos, videos, blog entries and connect with individuals doing important work on behalf of cities across the country. Periodically, participants will be polled on issues of the day, and feedback will be given to urban leaders on a regular basis.
If you would like to join the MyCity network, email Sheila Redick at sredick@ceosforcities.org to secure your invitation. From there, you can invite your own friends and colleagues to join.
Urban Next Summit
June 1, 2008
Almost three years after Hurricane Katrina, New Orleans is still recovering from a storm that destroyed 80 percent of the city. While many are still struggling, New Orleans has also attracted thousands of young people from diverse backgrounds, who are passionate about rebuilding an American city in a more equitable way. By creating coalitions of talented young people in the private and public sector who work together, New Orleans is engaging urban enthusiasts in the rebuilding process.
While New Orleans has a unique opportunity to build its talent pool, what makes a city a magnet for passionate young people? How can a city engage this talent? And how can a city hold onto these individuals in the future?
We invite you to participate in the Urban Next Summit to help answer these questions. This special opportunity to join the national conversation on cities will take place in a city where young people from diverse backgrounds have been instrumental in the rebuilding process. While exploring a number of city issues together, this gathering will be organized to facilitate meaningful connections between emerging and established leaders.
Conference attendees will have the opportunity to:
- Hear from and meet a number of distinguished speakers and panelists
- Share and learn about innovative strategies for cities
- Participate in discussion forums to inform others on the work happening in cities
- Connect with emerging and established urban leaders from cities across the nation
- Explore New Orleans as an insider
Topics will include:
- Attraction and retention of talent
- Creating a culture of opportunity
- Advocacy for urban enthusiasts
- Idea generation surrounding current urban challenges and opportunities
- Messaging for cities
- Connecting innovators to our cities
Apply to be part of the Urban Next Summit by clicking here. Applications are due by June 15, 2008. View the draft agenda here.
If you have any questions please contact Bridget Marquis at bmarquis@ceosforcities.org.
Get Connected: Creative Cities Network
May 6, 2008
The CEOs for Cities Creative City project will kick off at our national meeting Tuesday night. We'll explore how cities can best facilitate the resources needed for the knowledge economy: ideas, connections and innovation. Our panelists will discuss the power of creativity to make possible self-organizing, self-generating means of exchange among citizens. Join Ben Self, Founding Partner of Blue State Digital, Johann Zietsman, Director of Mesa Arts & Culture Department and Mesa Arts Center and Joyce Bromberg, Director of Research at Steelcase for this conversation on May 13 and hear their insights. See details and the full Creative Cities agenda here.