MV Ventures’ Post

Great OpEd in Chicago Tribune underscoring the need for the next generation of inclusive civic leadership to step up to continue moving Chicago forward. To create the equitable Chicago we want to see, it requires commitments from the business community to hire, invest, and procure differently to make our region one where everyone truly has the ability to succeed. We reflect on the lives well lived and too soon lost from revered civic business leaders, Andrew Crown and Rocky Wirtz. "They also embodied a tradition that sets Chicago’s business community apart from other major metros: This city expects its business elite to play a role in its civic life, getting big projects like Millennium Park off the ground, contributing to the upkeep of beloved institutions such as the renovation of the Museum of Science & Industry, and helping elected officials to take on giant, seemingly intractable challenges such as combating crime, improving education and creating economic opportunity in the neighborhoods as well as the Loop." #economicdevelopment #Chicago #civicleadership #inclusion #access #equity #collectiveaction #stakeholdercapitalism #civicengagement

Very timely OpEd by the Crain's Chicago Business editorial board to highlight that we need new business leaders to follow the footsteps of highly civically minded business leaders like Jim Crown and Rocky Wirtz: "They also embodied a tradition that sets Chicago’s business community apart from other major metros: This city expects its business elite to play a role in its civic life, getting big projects like Millennium Park off the ground, contributing to the upkeep of beloved institutions such as the renovation of the Museum of Science & Industry, and helping elected officials to take on giant, seemingly intractable challenges such as combating crime, improving education and creating economic opportunity in the neighborhoods as well as the Loop." As I mentioned in yesterday's post here on LinkedIn, we need a new generation of business leaders who are civically engaged to build a better Chicago across all 77 neighborhoods. A sole focus on generating business growth and profit will not build a more equitable and inclusive region where the opportunities are as equally distributed as the talent already is.

Yes, I am a huge Chicago Bears fan (and I've suffered for decades, like all Bears fans). Whether or not you are a Bears fan, you might find some takeaways from this video. I always enjoy listening to how people present their vision and their "why". The video is about 10-minutes in length. Many of the compelling points of the vision of this project relate to community planning. Some of the themes include: -Open space for children to play -Athletic green spaces for youth to come together and be productive and healthy -Integration into built and natural environment -Building recreational and cultural campus -Young students to study in parks and open space and bring back their education into classrooms -A destination where people want to visit and spend time -Year-round campus activation through recreation -Cultural arts focus -Catalyst to help address youth safety -Ecological and sensitive approach -Preserving viewshed While the specifics of the funding model have not yet been clearly shared, it is mentioned that project may cost over $4billion with a percentage (mentioned as much as 50%) from public funding.

A new Hollywood-style sign, murals and big cleats for charity are in the works for this year’s #NFL Draft in #Detroit. Mayor Mike Duggan remembers working on Roger Penske's #SuperBowl committee in 2006 when preparations for Detroit to host the NFL's championship game included painting the empty storefronts on Woodward Avenue, replacing boards with new glass windows and adding fake displays "thinking out-of-town visitors wouldn't know they weren't real companies." With the city under then-Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick facing a budget deficit of up to $30 million, Penske, the entrepreneur and auto racing team owner, spent $10 million on parties, festivals and sports clinics. At a time when nine of 30 city rec centers had been closed and the police mounted unit laid off, guided tours showed off Detroit's "bright sides" and watch parties were hosted at homeless shelters to clear an estimated 13,000 unhoused people from the streets. The majority of events have not yet been organized and won't be until after this weekend's Super Bowl. However, the city is ramping up its efforts, and some local businesses are expanding in preparation for an influx of visitors. Detroit's Public Works Department and the #DowntownDetroit Partnership spent January working on sidewalk repairs, paving improvements, upgrading traffic lights and painting 600 flag poles. They're upgrading the free Wi-Fi and bandwidth in Campus Martius to accommodate an estimated 400,000 to nearly 1 million people. Read more for how the city is preparing to host hundreds of thousands of people in April. https://lnkd.in/eXk7KMad

I am not a sports person. I don’t know who Lobo is, but I know she ruffled feathers and sparked discussion in Albany, NY. I extracted the local comments I could capture on Reddit and Facebook- and here are the sentiments summarized neutrally by AI along with some suggestions: Defensive Pride: Many commenters expressed a sense of pride in their city, suggesting that while Albany might have its flaws, it remains a city they are proud to call home. Acknowledgment of Truth: A significant number of responses recognize the truth in Lobo's critique, highlighting a perceived lack of nightlife and entertainment options in the city, especially around the MVP Arena. Desire for Improvement: Amidst the defense and acknowledgment of Albany's current state, there's a strong desire for improvement. Suggestions for enhancing the city's appeal include addressing safety concerns, revitalizing downtown areas, improving public amenities, and more effectively promoting and leveraging Albany's historical and cultural assets. Suggestions for Improvement: Addressing Safety and Aesthetics: Commenters suggest that improving safety and the visual appeal of downtown areas. Cultural and Nightlife Development: There's a call for the development of more robust cultural and nightlife options. This includes more bars, restaurants, and entertainment venues that stay open later, as well as support for local arts, music, and cultural events. Infrastructure and Accessibility Improvements: Improving infrastructure and accessibility around key areas .Enhancing public transportation options and pedestrian-friendly areas were mentioned. Leveraging Historical and Cultural Assets: Many see Albany's history and culture as underutilized assets. Suggestions include better promotion of museums, historical sites, and cultural festivals to both locals and visitors. Community Engagement and Investment: Engaging the community in development projects and encouraging local investment were seen as vital steps towards revitalization. This includes fostering a sense of ownership among residents and businesses in the city's future. SO did AI tell us anything we don't know already? Better together. Be a part of the answer. (Today is First Friday in Albany by the way. ) #FirstFridayAlbany #AlbanyNY #CreativeEconomy #creativematters #historicpreservation https://lnkd.in/eTzvFm8a

From the perspective of your small church perch, you might have asked what can we do to help the community? The one thing a faltering church typically has is space. Leverage empty classrooms, parking lots, education buildings, or offices to help the community by sharing the space. #ChurchRevitalization

One of the great things about a healthy sports fandom is how it can bring people together, creating at times a much needed boost across various communities. As a diehard Detroit Lions fan (we know the agony of defeat more than most), to see the progress this team has had over the past few years to the point of being just one win away from making it to the Super Bowl, seeing such positive things being said about your town, and seeing others across the country rooting for you is beyond description. However, this post I saw on Facebook from 🎙Mark Steckman 🎧 comes close: --- Most people outside Michigan don’t realize what this means to the city of Detroit. It’s bigger than football. It’s about a comeback that’s been in the making for 30+ years. In 1950, Detroit was the 4th most populous city in the country. It was the epicenter of Motown music, the largest manufacturing industry, and was a thriving, diverse & desirable place to be. For much of the last 40-50 years, the city struggled with so many self-inflicted wounds….run-down vacant homes, crime, fires on devils night, government corruption and on and on. But if you’ve been to Detroit, you know today it’s different. It’s becoming more economically diverse. Home to the top 2 mortgage companies in the USA. Home to 4 of the largest pizza franchises in the USA. Rebuilding downtown. Casinos, markets, restaurants, shopping, events, theaters, stadiums, housing. Visionary leaders like Dan Gilbert & Mike Ilitch among others saw opportunity to restore this once great city to its glory. And it’s well on its way. What the Lions represent to the city of Detroit is far greater than a football game. It’s about the comeback. Never giving up. Leadership seeing greatness in and thru the ugliest of days past. I’m happy living in the 813, but proud to be from the 313. This is Detroit’s moment. #LionsPride #detroitlionspride #detroitlionsfootball

I thought this was an interesting take from The Athletic on one of the reasons why the NCAA women’s national championship game had 4 million (4 million!) more viewers than the men’s championship game. Association executives, it makes me wonder- what are your associations doing to build stronger and deeper relationships between staff, volunteer leaders, and members? Ones where all sides feel excited and compelled to tune in for events, continuing education, online communities, etc. to find out what will happen next? #associations #associationmanagement #thinkdifferently #thinkoutsidethebox #storytelling

🌟 Beyond Winners and Losers: Prioritizing the Common Good for All 🌍 I am a Kansas City Chiefs fan, and love to win in sports! Yet, in today's society, the narrative often revolves around winners and losers, beyond sports. However, it's crucial to shift our focus towards prioritizing the common good for all above this dichotomy. Quality of life is not about individual triumphs or defeats; it's about working together for the greater benefit of our communities. Together, in 2024 we can pave the way for a future that uplifts every individual and champions collective prosperity. This is the essence of #Democracy #CommonGood #Collaboration #CommunityBuilding 🤝🌐

Hi everybody! I usually post about technology, Spartan Radar, leadership, or autonomy, but today I wanted to showcase an absolutely awesome individual, Traci Markel. Traci leads the marketing efforts for the The Village At Allen, and is on the board of directors of our Chamber of Commerce. You will have to spend a long time looking to find someone that has insight and greater passion for the community than her. Take a look at this article and see some of her insights on business, community, and leadership!