(LONG BEACH, CA – April 19, 2024) On Saturday, April 13, the Downtown Long Beach Alliance gave 5 awards (7 individuals) to Downtown Long Beach community leaders at the “DTLB Art Walk: Celebrate Downtown Edition.”
The honorees included the following: (1) Evelyn Avila, founder of the Long Beach Walking Club, (2) Sinead Finnerty-Pyne marketing and special projects director at Studio One Eleven, (3) Andrew Fiorentino & Sacha Braddock, founders of the North East Village Neighborhood Association, (4) Ron & Riley Hodges, father and son and property owners of Shannon’s Corner, and (5) Jim Goodin, a long-time downtown resident and former president of the Ocean Residents Community Association.
“These inspiring recipients have pioneered innovative approaches to catalyze Downtown’s revival,” said President and CEO Austin Metoyer. “We were excited to celebrate and recognize each of them as we continue our journey towards a strong future in Downtown.”
The program was attended by hundreds of downtown fans and served as the perfect pinnacle of the quarterly art walk. More on each awardee can be found below:
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- Evelyn Avila (Honoree), Long Beach Walking Club, Founder: One year ago this month, the Long Beach Walking Club was established by Evelyn to focus on building a safe environment for women to walk, exercise and enjoy the Downtown community. The community now has over 8k followers and over 100 members. Born and raised in Long Beach, Evelyn is the first in her family to graduate from college, earning her degree from Long Beach State, and now calls Downtown her home. Fueled by her passion for her community and a relentless drive to enact positive change, Evelyn’s dedication led her to start the Long Beach Walking Club, which has created a much-needed sense of belonging and camaraderie among its participants.
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- Sinead Finnerty-Pyne (Honoree), Studio One Eleven: Sinead is the Director of Marketing and Special Projects at Studio One Eleven, effectively navigating the intersection of art and the urban environment. She has put in countless hours in her co-founding role with Friends of Lincoln Park and the Lincoln Park Collaborative and, as a dedicated park and placemaking advocate, has helped organize free classes for the community and several reoccurring events. Sinead also played a pivotal role in bringing the U.S. International Poster Biennial show to the Promenade and continues to connect Downtown organizations to encourage collaboration and consistent activation in the public realm, including helping create momentum for the DTLB Design District concept and bringing LA Design Festival programming to Downtown Long Beach. Her approach merges artistic vision with urban renewal and encompasses community-based events and public arts programming.
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- Andrew Fiorentino & Sacha Braddock (Honorees), North East Village Neighborhood Association: As co-presidents of the association, Andrew and Sacha have worked tirelessly to build community and identity for the North East Village neighborhood by establishing this new and robust neighborhood association in Downtown, which has already hosted several notable events and educational programs. A recently formed group of neighbors, serving a historically underserved area in the district, Sacha and Andrew have stepped up for their community. Andrew moved to Long Beach in 2021 from North Carolina and, after getting acquainted with the area, saw the need for an organization for people to springboard ideas, and come together to improve parks, public safety, streets, and spread awareness of District 1 news and events. Sacha moved to Long Beach from San Diego in 2003 for college and never left. Sacha calls Long Beach, “the best city in the United States.” Passionate about advocating for families in her neighborhood, Sacha takes any opportunity to show up and provide for those in need. Working closely with Councilwoman Mary Zendejas and the District 1 team, Sacha and Andrew have made strides in instilling a sense of neighborhood pride in their community.
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- Ron Hodges & Riley Hodges (Honorees), Shannon’s Corner Property Owners: Ron Hodges has been a pivotal figure in the development of DTLB since beginning his entrepreneurial journey at Long Beach City College in 1959. After graduating and a stint in aerospace, Ron launched a series of ventures including the Woof & Warp Fabric Stores, The Front Page restaurant, and Shannon’s On Pine, which became Downtown’s premier sports bar after its 2012 renovation. In 2015, Ron and his family began revitalizing the Art Deco buildings at Broadway and Pine Ave., introducing the Carvery Prime Rib restaurant, Secret Island Tiki Bar, and At The Top nightclub. In 2017, he co-founded the Downtown Entertainment District Association, promoting the transformation of Pine Ave. into a public square for community events. Ron’s enduring commitment has significantly shaped Long Beach’s cultural and entertainment sectors, leaving a lasting legacy in the community. Riley Hodges, a Long Beach State graduate in Philosophy and Entrepreneurship, has been a key figure in expanding the family-owned Shannon’s Corner into a prominent multi-venue operation. Under his leadership, the business has grown to support over 100 employees. Riley was also part of the restoration of the business’s historic Rowan-Bradley building to its 1930s façade. Passionately involved in local development, Riley spearheaded efforts for the Downtown Entertainment District Association, enhancing the Pine & Promenade area. Aside from his business pursuits, Riley is also a musician and recently recorded an album with his band, The Cosmic Cowboys, set to release in May 2024. Riley’s blend of entrepreneurial spirit and creative talent continues to make a significant impact on the Downtown community.
- Jim Goodin (Honoree), Ocean Residents Community Association: A lifelong advocate and resident of Long Beach, Jim recently retired as president of the Ocean Residents Community Association (ORCA), yet continues to play a vital role as its Active Past President. Born and raised in Long Beach, Jim’s commitment to his hometown runs deep. He is a proud alumnus of Long Beach State, where his early career included significant contributions to the Apollo space program at North American Rockwell. His dedication to service is further exemplified by his 25 years in the United States Air Force, where he served as a navigator and a space systems program manager, retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel. Jim’s leadership extended to nine years as President of ORCA and 10 years on the Board of the Downtown Residents Council. His involvement in the community spans various sectors; he has been a volunteer at the Aquarium, and actively supports the Long Beach Symphony, International City Theater, and the Garage Theater. Additionally, Jim is a graduate and board member of Leadership Long Beach. He has served on The Downtown Long Beach Alliance’s Public Safety Committee and was recently appointed to the Mayor’s Veteran’s Affairs Commission. His extensive engagement reflects his dedication to ensuring the Downtown community not only thrives but also embodies a proactive and forward-looking spirit. Jim Goodin’s lifelong dedication and varied contributions to Downtown truly embody the qualities we celebrate with the Spirit of Downtown award: active, visionary, and deeply committed to enriching the community’s future.
Individuals considered for the award were nominated by peers during an open call for nominations process. Recipients of the Spirit of Downtown Award were selected by members of the Special Events Committee under the Board of Directors.
Please see photos from Celebrate Downtown and the Spirit of Downtown Awards here.
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About: The Downtown Long Beach Alliance is a nonprofit, community-based organization whose mission is to cultivate, preserve and promote a healthy, safe, and prosperous Downtown. The organization is recognized as the voice of Downtown Long Beach by the City of Long Beach and the State of California. By balancing the interests of the residents, as well as businesses, the organization creates tangible progress by way of vested interest and solidified partnerships across local, municipal, and commercial lines. For additional information, visit www.downtownlongbeach.org and follow on Facebook @downtownlongbeach, on “X” (formerly Twitter) @dlba and Instagram @dlba.