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Living Cities

@livingcities.bsky.social
442 followers 143 following 83 posts

This is the official BlueSky account of Living Cities, a collaborative of foundations & financial institutions working to close economic gaps, so people in U.S. cities are economically secure & building wealth. www.livingcities.org

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Living Cities @livingcities.bsky.social · 09/10/2026
No business owner should have to figure it all out alone. Ronald Meredith, Stuart Lott and Cedric Hamilton discuss isolation in Memphis. Through B3, we’re connecting owners with peers and resources alongside @mainstreetamerica.bsky.social and local leaders, with support from Truist Foundation.
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Living Cities @livingcities.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
Knowledge is a business resource. In Memphis’ Whitehaven, Lawanda Thornton of Lavish A Luxe Boutique is gaining ideas and support from fellow owners. We’re helping build those connections through B3 with @mainstreetamerica.bsky.social and local leaders, with support from Truist Foundation.
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Living Cities @livingcities.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
Getting the keys is only the first step. Our CEO Joe Scantlebury responds to new urbaninstitute.bsky.social research on how liquid reserves could help families keep their homes through financial setbacks. Read his piece: livingcities.org/getting-in-i...
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Living Cities @livingcities.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
Memphis entrepreneurs are building stronger small business ecosystems in Whitehaven, Klondike and Smokey City, and Raleigh. Our B3 video highlights leaders expanding access to resources. Watch the latest video: youtu.be/q2gxikt85B0
youtu.be
Breaking Barriers to Business: Memphis, Tennessee
YouTube video by Main Street America
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Living Cities @livingcities.bsky.social · 22/06/2026
What if paying rent on time could help more residents build credit and move closer to ownership? Join Living Cities and Rochester leaders on June 25, 1–2 p.m. ET, for part 5 of webinar series. Register: events.zoom.us/ev/AnTMKoTnn... #RentReporting #CreditBuilding #EconomicMobility
events.zoom.us
Advancing the Ownership Economy: How Cities Turn Capital into Wealth
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Reposted by Living Cities
SOCAP Global @socapglobal.bsky.social · 04/05/2026
In this video, Joe Scantlebury of @livingcities.bsky.social shares how we can overcome barriers to inclusive capital strategies to ensure "that we are not only bringing capital to places but deploying it to create the inclusive economies we need now and for our future." 👏💬
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Living Cities @livingcities.bsky.social · 17/04/2026
Check out what Living Cities is bringing to @socapglobal.bsky.social #SOCAP26, 'Capital Absorption Depends on Relationships' Vote now! socapglobal.com/session-idea/capita…
socapglobal.com
Capital Absorption Depends on Relationships: Building the Missing Infrastructure - SOCAP Global
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Living Cities @livingcities.bsky.social · 23/12/2025
Happy Holidays from Living Cities! In 2026, we will continue to reimagine access to capital and demonstrate inclusion through citywide collaborations that align policy, practice, and ownership. Wishing a peaceful and joyful holiday season for all! #Philanthropy #ImpactInvesting #InclusiveEconomy
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Living Cities @livingcities.bsky.social · 22/12/2025
Last week, the Living Cities staff gathered in Philadelphia for our annual retreat—a moment to reflect, connect, and celebrate the work that moves our mission forward. #LivingCities #InclusiveEconomies
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Living Cities @livingcities.bsky.social · 19/12/2025
Inclusive capital is a catalyst for community wealth building. Read “Inclusive capital helps entire communities” by #LivingCities CEO Joe Scantlebury to learn more about the impact of our Blended Catalyst Fund on @fastcompany.com. #ImpactInvesting #InclusiveEconomies #EconomicMobility
fastcompany.com
Inclusive capital helps entire communities
Lessons from a 10-year fund investing for economic justice.
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Living Cities @livingcities.bsky.social · 02/12/2025
#GivingTuesday is a reminder that community impact depends on strong, interconnected systems & on funders, donors, & partners committed to breaking down barriers and expanding opportunity. #LivingCities #Philanthropy #LivingCities #InclusiveEconomies #EconomicMobility #CommunityWealth
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Living Cities @livingcities.bsky.social · 28/11/2025
Happy Thanksgiving from Living Cities! We are grateful for our members, partners, and teammates whose commitment drives our work toward a more inclusive economy where everyone can thrive. #LivingCities #Thanksgiving
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Living Cities @livingcities.bsky.social · 26/11/2025
This year, $109 billion is expected to support small businesses — a 44% increase from last year. For many entrepreneurs, the holidays account for up to half of their annual sales. Choosing to shop small & local strengthens community wealth & expands economic mobility. #LivingCities #ShopSmall
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Living Cities @livingcities.bsky.social · 24/11/2025
#LivingCities CEO calls on leaders, policymakers, businesses, and media to invest in narrative work as a core equity strategy, reframing the conversation to foster true abundance and agency in America’s communities. #ImpactInvesting #NarrativeChange #SocialImpact #Equity
fastcompany.com
Storytelling can reframe the economic conversation
It’s time for a new narrative.
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Living Cities @livingcities.bsky.social · 20/11/2025
What if #VentureCapital was built for the 99%? Sydney Thomas of #SymphonicCapital joins Live with Living Cities Ep. 9 to share how her team is investing in Fintech and Healthtech companies like Canopie, Scout, and Lōvu Health to connect profit with purpose. #LivingCities #ImpactInvesting
livingcities.org
Episode 9: Capital with a Conscience: Sydney Thomas on Rethinking Venture for the 99%
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Living Cities @livingcities.bsky.social · 11/11/2025
Honoring those who served and continue to lead in our communities. Veterans help shape local economies, strengthen small businesses, and inspire the spirit of collaboration that drives us all. #LivingCities #VeteransDay #Community #Leadership
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Living Cities @livingcities.bsky.social · 04/11/2025
If your state has elections today, make your voice heard. Local choices shape the future of our communities, from small business growth to neighborhood investment. #ElectionDay #VoteLocal #CivicEngagement #LivingCities
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Living Cities @livingcities.bsky.social · 31/10/2025
“We’re not just producing workers or graduates. We’re producing leaders and global changemakers.” Ashley Gabb highlights the importance of HBCUs on the latest #LiveWithLivingCities! open.spotify.com/episode/6Pdc... #HBCUs #Entrepreneurship #Leadership #LivingCities #InclusiveEconomy
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Living Cities @livingcities.bsky.social · 22/10/2025
Nargis Fontaine, Main Street America Project Manager, shares how city partners and community organizations are teaming up to clear barriers and open new opportunities for small businesses. Watch the full doc here! www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wzm_... #entrepreneurship #smallbusiness #financialfreedom
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Living Cities @livingcities.bsky.social · 21/10/2025
Access to capital isn’t just about big checks. It’s about understanding what small business owners really need. Ashley Gabb unpacks this + more on Live with Living Cities! Listen wherever you get your podcasts! open.spotify.com/episode/6Pdc... #AccessToCapital #SmallBusiness #InclusiveEconomies
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Living Cities @livingcities.bsky.social · 20/10/2025
Adaptability fuels resilience. Haji Bakari Silah of Bakari’s Pizza shares how his business survived COVID by creating a new revenue model in this latest clip from #B3Atlanta! #entrepreneurship #smallbusiness #revenuesharing #localeconomies #atlanta #b3 #financialfreedom #economyforall
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Living Cities @livingcities.bsky.social · 15/10/2025
“When neighborhoods go through transitions, small businesses feel it first.” Devon Woodson of Pal’s Lounge shares his story from East Atlanta in our latest from #B3Atlanta. Watch the full documentary here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wzm_... #entrepreneurship #smallbusiness #livingcities
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Living Cities @livingcities.bsky.social · 14/10/2025
Grove Park is building a “business factory” to make sure entrepreneurs are ready to thrive, with the right legal, financial, & operational tools in place. Check out the latest from #B3Atlanta! www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wzm_... #entrepreneurship #smallbusiness #atlanta #grovepark #localeconom
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Living Cities @livingcities.bsky.social · 13/10/2025
This #IndigenousPeoplesDay, we’re celebrating leadership in Albuquerque — where culture, collaboration, and community are shaping the city’s future. Read more about Albuquerque's rich cultural identity of Native Americans! #LivingCities #CommunityLeadership #InclusiveEconomies #LocalInnovation
livingcities.org
The Rich Cultural Identity of Native Americans in ABQ
From local government officials to philanthropic stakeholders to Living Cities staff, this story is one in a series that demonstrates the impact Living Cities has across the U.S.
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Living Cities @livingcities.bsky.social · 09/10/2025
“If you don’t dream big enough, then what are you doing it for?” Terrill Patterson shares his bold vision for hospitality in the latest installment of #B3Atlanta. Entrepreneurs are the bedrock of our local economies. Watch the full doc here: youtu.be/nqZIWE2GezE #smallbusiness #entrepreneurship
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Living Cities @livingcities.bsky.social · 08/10/2025
Sweet Auburn’s story is one of legacy, resilience, and renewal — where history shapes the path forward. Watch the full documentary: youtu.be/nqZIWE2GezE #entrepreneurship #smallbusiness #financialfreedom #economicopportunity #atlanta
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Living Cities @livingcities.bsky.social · 06/10/2025
Follow along on the next stop of Breaking Barriers to Business: Atlanta, Georgia! From Sweet Auburn’s cultural legacy to Grove Park’s business infrastructure, meet the people reshaping what inclusive growth looks like. Watch the full doc here: youtu.be/nqZIWE2GezE #entrepreneurship #smallbusiness
youtu.be
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Living Cities @livingcities.bsky.social · 19/09/2025
#WestBoulevard businesses faced loan and visibility challenges. Now, supported by B3 Charlotte, Main Street American, and #TruistFoundation, a fresh energy is driving change. Watch full story youtu.be/1JPaiYf0fYg?... #B3Charlotte #FinancialFreedom #SmallBusiness #EconomicOpportunity
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Living Cities @livingcities.bsky.social · 18/09/2025
Charlotte is reimagining its Corridors of Opportunity. See how Living Cities, #TruistFoundation & Main Street America are investing in small business resilience through #B3Charlotte! #BreakingBarriersToBusiness #SmallBusiness #Entrepreneurship #EconomicOpportunity #InclusiveEconomies
bizjournals.com
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Living Cities @livingcities.bsky.social · 18/09/2025
“Change is real and here to stay.” West Boulevard is thriving, and B3 Charlotte is here to amplify. Watch the full doc here! youtu.be/1JPaiYf0fYg?... #FinancialFreedom #EconomicOpportunity #SmallBusiness #B3 #LivingCities #Entrepreneurship
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Living Cities @livingcities.bsky.social · 17/09/2025
“Breaking barriers means action — funding, policy change, lifting business stories.” Supported by #B3Charlotte. Watch the full story here youtu.be/1JPaiYf0fYg?... #EconomicOpportunity #FinancialFreedom #B3 #LivingCities #SmallBusiness #Entrepreneurship
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Living Cities @livingcities.bsky.social · 16/09/2025
With food costs skyrocketing, Erica Williams, Co-Owner of Chicken Box Café in North Charlotte says support systems like those powered by #B3Charlotte and #TruistFoundation are key to survival. #EconomicOpportunity #FinancialFreedom #B3 #LivingCities #SmallBusinesses #FinancialFreedom
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Living Cities @livingcities.bsky.social · 15/09/2025
The vision for Sugar Creek is bright and Aliza Diggs-Bailey, Executive Director of Sugar Creek Business Association is helping lead the way. Full story here! youtu.be/1JPaiYf0fYg?... #B3 #Charlotte #SugarCreek #LivingCities #EconomicOpportunity #Entrepreneurship #SmallBusiness #FinancialFreedom
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Living Cities @livingcities.bsky.social · 12/09/2025
Internal barriers in city government? The City of Charlotte is breaking them down. #B3 #SmallBusiness #FinancialFreedom #LivingCities
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Living Cities @livingcities.bsky.social · 11/09/2025
Entrepreneurship isn’t just about individual hustle. Philip Gaskin joins #LiveWithLivingCities to share how to create environments where businesses & communities thrive. livingcities.org/podcast/epis... #Entrepreneurship #InclusiveEconomies #FinancialFreedom #EconomicOpportunity
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Living Cities @livingcities.bsky.social · 11/09/2025
Grants aren’t reaching local businesses. Sharika Comfort is making sure that changes! Learn more about our work with #B3Charlotte in partnership with Main Street America and Truist Foundation. Check out the full story here! youtu.be/1JPaiYf0fYg?... #LivingCities #Entrepreneurship #SmallBusiness #B3
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Living Cities @livingcities.bsky.social · 09/09/2025
“We don’t compete—we collaborate.” Watch the full story from Charlotte’s Historic West End. #B3Charlotte #LivingCities #FinancialFreedom #Entrepreneurship #SmallBusiness
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Living Cities @livingcities.bsky.social · 08/09/2025
New City. Same Mission. Charlotte is rewriting the rules of small business resilience. Watch the full doc here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=1JPa... #B3Charlotte #LivingCities #SmallBusiness #FinancialFreedom #EconomicOpportunity
youtube.com
Breaking Barriers to Business (B3) | Charlotte, NC's Story
YouTube video by Main Street America
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Living Cities @livingcities.bsky.social · 04/09/2025
What’s a BSO? A Business Serving Organization—a community-based group that helps small businesses grow with support in strategy, operations, tech, capital, and networking! livingcities.org/initiative/b... #BreakingBarriersToBusiness #B3 #EconomicOpportunity #CommunityWealth
livingcities.org
Breaking Barriers to Business
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Living Cities @livingcities.bsky.social · 01/09/2025
This #LaborDay, we honor workers + small business owners driving local economies. Living Cities is breaking barriers so everyone can thrive. #FinancialFreedom #EconomicOpportunity #SmallBusinesses
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Living Cities @livingcities.bsky.social · 29/08/2025
What does “investing the right way” really mean? Jim Casselberry breaks it down on the latest Live with Living Cities episode: livingcities.org/podcast/epis... #LiveWithLivingCities #ImpactInvesting #LivingCities #EconomicOpportunity #FinancialFreedom
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Living Cities @livingcities.bsky.social · 25/08/2025
What is a BSA? Business Serving Agencies are local government entities that help entrepreneurs cut through red tape. With #B3, we’re making sure support systems work for small businesses: livingcities.org/initiative/b... #EconomicOpportunity #FinancialFreedom #Entrepreneurship #LivingCities
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Living Cities @livingcities.bsky.social · 21/08/2025
“When you center community voice, the solutions look different.” Andrea Blackman shares how this partnership across sectors avoids the savior mentality—and instead builds with the people who know their city best. #B3Nashville #LivingCities #EconomicOpportunity #FinancialFreedom
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Living Cities @livingcities.bsky.social · 20/08/2025
“Access to capital is limited—but the need is not.” Tomas Yan of Conexión Américas explains why even a small boost in funding can help small businesses thrive! #B3Nashville #LivingCities #ConexionAmericas #SmallBusinesses #NolensvillePike #AccessToCapital #EconomicOpportunity #FinancialFreedom
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Living Cities @livingcities.bsky.social · 19/08/2025
“If you don’t know your community, your return on investment will dwindle.” Monchiere Holmes-Jones (MOJO Marketing & PR) offers this truth in our latest B3 short from Nashville. Places matters. People matter. Watch the full story youtu.be/yaCUY_IFL3w?... #EconomicOpportunity #FinancialFreedom #B3
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Living Cities @livingcities.bsky.social · 18/08/2025
Funded by #TruistFoundation, Living Cities has deployed $500K in grants across Southeastern cities — ATL, CLT, MEM, MIA, & NSH. We are backing local leaders to revitalize corridors, expand capital, and boost inclusive entrepreneurship. Stay tuned as we highlight the work underway in each city!
americanbanker.com
Truist Foundation invests in commercial corridors in the Southeast
Truist Foundation will fund a multiyear economic development initiative to revitalize business corridors in five Southeastern cities; First Horizon has hired Wells Fargo's Shaun McDougall to head cons...
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Living Cities @livingcities.bsky.social · 18/08/2025
Nielah Brunett found a home in North Nashville and saw a need for something more. With InnerG Juice & Yoga, she’s making wellness more accessible and getting landlords to believe in to serving underserved communities. #B3Series #LivingCities #Nashville #CommunityStories #FinancialFreedom
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Living Cities @livingcities.bsky.social · 18/08/2025
#OpportunityZones 2.0 will include fewer eligible neighborhoods. City leaders are already working to ensure that their communities don’t get left behind. Ahmed Whitt of #LivingCities explains why this could lead to a stronger, more equitable program—if the right communities are prioritized.
bizjournals.com
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Living Cities @livingcities.bsky.social · 15/08/2025
Danielle McGee Gibson, founder of Black Business Boom, says it plainly: “It’s not about handouts. It’s about opportunity.” Watch the full Nashville video here: www.linkedin.com/feed/update/... #B3Nashville #LivingCities #Nashville #SmallBusiness #EconomicFreedom #LocalLeadership
linkedin.com
“We’re not asking for handouts. | Living Cities
“We’re not asking for handouts. We’re asking for opportunity.” Danielle McGee, MBA, founder and CEO of Black Business Boom, speaks to the deeper truth behind supporting small businesses on Jefferson S...
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Living Cities @livingcities.bsky.social · 14/08/2025
Angelita L. Dobbs in Northwest Nashville knows the value of local leadership and trusted services. As part of the #B3Series she shares what small businesses truly need to grow—and how she’s showing up for her community every day. #LivingCities #Nashville #CommunityStories #FinancialFreedom
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