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.