Diversity in our community is an essential part of DLBA’s vision for a successful Downtown. As the state economy reopens, we take this time to discuss opportunities in DTLB for LGBTQ+ businesses to attract customers and grow. Leveraging the timing of National Pride Month, we also provide a forum for insights into some broad and timely business topics including woke washing, gender identity, and mental health.

Watch the June 29 recorded webinar below.

May’s webinar explored how cycling contributes to a healthy downtown urban core.  Panelists discussed a variety of topics including how to continue the pandemic bike boom, best practices for our bicycling community investments, and equity issues.

According to discussion moderator Allan Crawford, Long Beach has seen an explosion in biking over the past several years. “The City has focused on adding bike infrastructure to make it easier and safer for our residents and visitors to bike in our community. The result has been an increase in the use of bikes for commuting, going to and from our businesses, and recreation.  Especially over the past year, we have experienced a tremendous biking boom due to the pandemic,” said Crawford, Executive Director, BIKEable Communities.

Watch the May 25 recorded webinar below.

In celebration and recognition of Earth Day, the Downtown Long Beach Alliance’s April Downtown Discussions virtual event addressed the topic, “Climate Change & DTLB.” On April 27 at 10 AM, a panel of local environmental experts analyzed issues surrounding climate change on the microcosm of Downtown Long Beach. Panelists gave a closer look at the effects of climate change on Downtown, as well as the mitigation and adaptation measures adopted by the City, local NGOs, and private enterprises.

Watch the April 27 recorded webinar below.

In celebration and recognition of Women’s History Month, the Downtown Long Beach Alliance’s March Downtown Discussions virtual event addressed the topic, “Supporting Women in the Workplace.” On March 30 at 11 AM, a panel of local and national female business leaders discussed the unique strengths and ongoing challenges faced by women in the workforce at levels. Moderated by Temren Wroge, Communications Manager at the National Women’s Business Council, this conversation includes the impacts of COVID-19 on the female workforce, in addition to workplace challenges facing women of color. Panelists considered what role employers, institutions, and coworkers play in fostering a workplace culture that better promotes and supports all women.

Watch the Mar. 30 recorded webinar below.

In celebration and recognition of Black History Month, the Downtown Long Beach Alliance’s February Downtown Discussions virtual event addressed the topic, “The Black Experience in Long Beach: Past, Present, and Future.” On February 23 at 9 AM, a panel of local Black activists, faith leaders, municipal professionals, business owners, and community leaders convened to discuss the history and contributions of the Black community in Long Beach, as well as the challenges faced by that community in the past and present and what the future may hold. Moderated by Carl Kemp, a longtime communications professional and Long Beach local currently serving as Environmental Public Affairs Manager with the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, this conversation included different perspectives and aspects of the Black experience in Long Beach with a focus on Downtown. Panelists considered what role established institutions and organizations, including DLBA, have played in the Black experience in Downtown Long Beach, and what their responsibility may be moving forward to enact positive change.

Watch the Feb. 23 recorded webinar below.

The Downtown Long Beach Alliance’s Downtown Discussions series is a free community resource designed to connect the community with experts on topics of importance to them. On January 8, a seasoned and diverse panel of technology professionals gathered for a virtual roundtable to discuss COVID-19 and the Digital Divide. The conversation examined how the pandemic has revealed the extent of the digital divide within Long Beach, and how high-speed internet access is becoming a human right – with a contextual focus on urban areas, small business, and Downtown Long Beach.

Watch the Jan. 8 recorded webinar below.

Featuring a roundtable of local and regional experts in designing, operating, and programming public spaces, this webinar examined COVID-19’s impact on public space in terms of use, access, and equity. Guest speakers Norma Garcia-Gonzalez (Director of Parks and Recreation, Los Angeles County), Shannon Heffernan (Urban Design Director, Studio One Eleven), Midori Mizuhara (Planning + Urban Design, Gensler), Brian Ulaszewski (Executive Director, City Fabrick), and moderator David Downey (President & CEO, International Downtown Association) discussed lessons learned during the pandemic, creative solutions implemented to adapt to physical distancing, and how these experiences and initiatives could influence future planning and use of public space.

Watch the Dec. 4 recorded webinar below.