Follow the Data Podcast: Mike Bloomberg Commencement Address at Washington University in St. Louis
May 20, 2019
This spring, graduates all over the world are celebrating their academic achievements. Mike Bloomberg spoke to the graduating class of 2019 at Washington University in St. Louis. In his commencement address, he remarked on the importance of taking pains to bring truth to light – by reclaiming civic dialogue from those who are debasing and degrading it.
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Follow the Data Podcast: The Innovative Mayor, Naheed Nenshi
May 13, 2019
In this episode of Follow the Data, Mayor Nenshi and James discuss how his experience as a professor and business consultant have informed his approach to the job of being mayor, the “simple social movement” happening in Calgary that’s improving the city’s schools and neighborhoods, and why it’s important for political leaders to talk about pluralism. Additionally, they discuss Calgary’s participation in the Bloomberg Harvard City Leadership Initiative and the “life-changing career moments” it’s created for a number of Calgary’s civil servants.
Read moreFollow the Data Podcast: Night of Solidarity – Special Episode in French
April 29, 2019
The city of Paris conducted its second annual homelessness count in February 2019. Approximately 2,000 people responded to the call for volunteers to conduct the surveys, which take place on the streets of Paris over the course of one night. The city had more volunteers than positions to fill on the count, so the city capitalized by coordinating with shelters with community associations to put volunteers to work.
Bloomberg Associates is a philanthropic consultancy that works with cities across the world, and has enjoyed a fruitful engagement with the city of Paris. Bloomberg Associates has worked with Mexico City, Bogotá and Athens to employ best practices to develop their own homeless population counts.
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After New York City’s New Congestion Pricing Plan, Will Other U.S. Cities Follow Suit?
April 16, 2019
By Antha N. Williams of the Bloomberg Philanthropies Environment team
New York City has sparked debate across the country over its decision to use congestion pricing to accelerate and help fund the adoption of low-carbon transportation. Now, several other cities in the U.S., including DC, Honolulu, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Portland, and Seattle, are starting to explore the potential for this bold action to advance their own climate and livability efforts.
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From Plans to Progress: Catalyzing Climate Action through the American Cities Climate Challenge
April 15, 2019
By Kelly Shultz and Anne Emig of the Bloomberg Philanthropies Environment and Government Innovation teams
Last week, the Bloomberg American Cities Climate Challenge brought together more than 100 of the country’s foremost city sustainability leaders for a three-day convening in Austin. Participants represented a robust network of world-class partners, dedicated city officials, and leading policy experts who all share one common goal: fight climate change on a local level to create healthier, more resilient, and more sustainable communities for city residents.
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Art Leaders Impacting Local Communities: Spotlight on Zenetta Drew
April 3, 2019
Local cultural institutions are critical for the arts to thrive. These organizations help develop and showcase artistic talent, provide communities with a forum to experience the arts and also contribute to a city’s economy and identity. That is why Bloomberg Philanthropies has supported more than 500 small and medium-sized organizations through our Arts Innovation and Management Program (AIM). In this interview, Ethan Joseph of the Bloomberg Philanthropies Arts team talks with Zenetta Drew, Executive Director of the Dallas Black Dance Theatre and former participant of the AIM program, about what the theatre has meant to the Dallas community. The following is a lightly edited excerpt of the conversation.
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Follow the Data Podcast: Greenwood Art Project Builds on History of Black Wall Street in Tulsa, OK
April 1, 2019
In part two of a two part episode, Hannibal Johnson and Rick Lowe, discuss the future of Tulsa, Oklahoma in historical context, along with the potential impact of the Greenwood Art Project.
Tulsa is the winner of Bloomberg Philanthropies’ Public Art Challenge. The Greenwood Art Project commemorates the 100th anniversary of the destruction of a thriving black community in Tulsa known as Black Wall Street. The project celebrates the resilience and recovery of the community.
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Can Mayors Save the Philippines’ Coasts?
March 29, 2019
Del Carmen Mayor Coro II is a coastal mayor whose life and constituency are anchored to the sea and Rocky Sanchez Tirona spearheads Rare’s initiative to revitalize the Philippines’ marine life and the dependent coastal communities. Can their common agenda inspire all 900+ of the Philippines’ coastal mayors to commit to protecting the people and their precious resources—before it’s too late?
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Using Data to Understand – and Help Reduce – India’s Air Pollution
March 28, 2019
Together with key partners – TERI, Shakti Sustainable Energy Foundation, CSTEP, WRI India, and ADRI – Bloomberg Philanthropies will work to support India’s National Clean Air Program by developing better data and understanding of the sources of air pollution in the country. We’ll also work closely with a group of Indian cities to develop clean air action plans aimed at tackling air pollution at the local level.
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Art Leaders Making Impacts in Local Communities: Spotlight on Jennifer Evins
March 26, 2019
In June 2015, the City of Spartanburg was selected as one of four projects nationwide to take part in Bloomberg Philanthropies Public Art Challenge. Jennifer Evins, working with key partners including digital media artist Erwin Redl, city police officers and the city’s residents brought their winning project, “Seeing Spartanburg” to life. In the wake of shootings and protests across the country, community-building between police officers and the municipalities they serve become a focal point in the nation. Through “Seeing Spartanburg in a New Light,” Spartanburg police officers hoped to harness the power of public art to repair and strengthen police-community relations in the city. They also hoped to shine a light on Spartanburg’s commitment to safety and vibrancy, enhance crime prevention efforts and cultivate partnerships to increase public trust and confidence in local law enforcement.
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