Living Cities

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

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

Inclusive capital helps entire communities Lessons from a 10-year fund investing for economic justice.

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

#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

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

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

Storytelling can reframe the economic conversation It’s time for a new narrative.

#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

Episode 9: Capital with a Conscience: Sydney Thomas on Rethinking Venture for the 99%

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

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

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

“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

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

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

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

“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

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

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.

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

“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

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

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

#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

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

“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

“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

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

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

Internal barriers in city government? The City of Charlotte is breaking them down.

#B3 #SmallBusiness #FinancialFreedom #LivingCities

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

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

“We don’t compete—we collaborate.”

Watch the full story from Charlotte’s Historic West End.

#B3Charlotte #LivingCities #FinancialFreedom #Entrepreneurship #SmallBusiness