Long Beach, CA (April 3, 2025) – The Downtown Long Beach Alliance (DTLB Alliance) is proud to announce the recipients of the 2025 Spirit of Downtown Awards, honoring individuals and organizations making a transformative impact on Downtown Long Beach.
The awards will be presented on Saturday, April 5, from 5:30 to 6:30 PM at the site of the former Acres of Books building (240 Long Beach Blvd.) during Celebrate Downtown, part of the DTLB Art + Design Walk. Attendees are encouraged to arrive early.
“We’re thrilled to recognize this group of changemakers whose passion and leadership have fueled the progress of Downtown Long Beach,” said Austin Metoyer, President & CEO of the DTLB Alliance. “Their work has inspired so many of us to imagine a more inclusive, dynamic, and connected downtown community. I am especially happy to be able to honor the legacy of the late Isa Rached. He did so much for the downtown business and LGBTQ+ community, and we are proud to recognize him posthumously with our pinnacle Downtown Don Anchor award.”
This year’s Spirit of Downtown honorees are:
- Chris Sweeney – Founder of RightMealz, recognized for bringing the Long Beach community together and using his business to support disaster relief, youth enrichment, and community wellness.
- Brian Addison – Acclaimed journalist and founder of Longbeachize and Long Beach Food Scene, dedicated to spotlighting Downtown’s culture and culinary evolution.
- Willmore City Community Association – Preserving Long Beach’s history while revitalizing the neighborhood through cultural programming, advocacy, and volunteer-driven improvements.
- Rhonda Love – Arts and culture advocate, digital media artist, and founder of DreamKreator Studio, a nonprofit blending tech and creativity for social impact.
- Mosaic Development Team – A joint venture between Waterford Property Company and Turnbridge Equities, leading projects that drive housing accessibility and Downtown vibrancy.
This year’s Downtown Don Anchor Award recipient is:
- Isa McKinley Quiroz Rached (Legacy Awardee) – Previous Spirit of Downtown winner and founder of The B Room, being honored posthumously for creating safe spaces and cultural events uplifting the LGBTQ+ and immigrant communities in Long Beach.
More will be shared about the awardees’ impact and legacy at the ceremony. Join us on April 5 to celebrate their achievements and experience the creative energy of DTLB.
More information on the DTLB Art + Design Walk is available at downtownlongbeach.org/artwalk.
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About: The Spirit of Downtown Awards was established in 2012 to posthumously recognize four individuals that the Long Beach community had sadly lost that year. The award recognizes visionaries who bring energy, innovation, and community spirit to the heart of Long Beach. Past recipients and more info on the awards is available here.
About: The Downtown Long Beach Alliance (DTLB Alliance) is a nonprofit, community-based organization whose mission is to cultivate, preserve and promote a healthy, safe, and prosperous Downtown. The DTLB Alliance 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) @dtlballiance and Instagram @dtlballiance.