Live with Living Cities

In this mini-episode of Live with Living Cities, Dr. Ahmed Whitt explores the evolving landscape of Opportunity Zones and what the next generation of place-based investment policy could mean for communities across the country.As policymakers revisit and refine Opportunity Zones through new federal legislation, this conversation examines both the promise and the challenges of these incentives. Dr. Whitt breaks down how Opportunity Zones 2.0 could better align private capital with equitable economic development, community wealth building, and long-term local prosperity, while addressing concerns around accountability, displacement, and who truly benefits.From policy design to real-world impact, this episode offers listeners a deeper understanding of how capital systems can either reinforce inequality or help build stronger, more inclusive local economies.Tune in for a timely conversation on the future of equitable investment and what it takes to ensure communities are not just included, but prioritized.

Be sure to sign-up for news, updates and the webinar series and more! This month on Live with Living Cities, we're replaying the first in our Rewiring Capital for Strong Local Economies webinar series. In this webinar our facilitator and guests explore the role cities play in shaping the relationships that help small businesses move from survival to long-term growth. While many local governments invest in programs intended to support entrepreneurs, uneven participation, low capital readiness, and fragmented efforts across departments remain common challenges. This conversation looks at why that happens and what cities can do differently. Centering examples from across the country, the discussion highlights how strong coordination within city government, combined with intentional partnerships with community-based organizations, can create a more connected and effective small business ecosystem. Rather than focusing only on funding or individual programs, this episode examines the relational groundwork that makes those efforts work: trust, shared understanding, access to information, and collaboration across systems. Listeners will gain insight into how cities can serve as ecosystem builders and connectors, and how stronger internal and external relationships can open new pathways for entrepreneurs to become investment-ready and fully participate in local economies. This episode features  Andrea Blackman, Chief Impact Officer for the City of Nashville;  Alycia Levels Moore, Main Street America consultant and Owner and Founder of ASL Creative Firm and POLARIS;  Sheila Nelms, Senior Associate for Local Impact and Innovation at Living Cities; and  Nia Webster, Assistant Director in the City of Kansas City’s Neighborhood Services Department. You can view the webinar's slide deck  here.

In this episode of Live with Living Cities, host Justin Charles sits down with Roderick Wheeler, President and Chief Strategy Officer of Wheeler Social Impact, for a timely conversation about why communities are not peripheral to economic growth, but foundational to it. We unpack how neighborhoods, businesses, philanthropy, and civic institutions are deeply interconnected, and what happens when that ecosystem is either strengthened or neglected. Roderick shares a clear-eyed perspective on why long-term economic success depends on intentional investment in the places where people live and work, and why collaboration across sectors isn’t optional if we’re serious about sustainable growth. We talk about how to think beyond traditional financial metrics to better understand real economic health, and what current systems often overlook about the lived realities of historically marginalized communities. The conversation also explores the role philanthropy can play in rebuilding trust, shifting power, and supporting community-led decision-making. At its core, this episode is about rethinking how we define success and recognizing that durable economic outcomes are inseparable from community well-being.

In this mini-episode of Live with Living Cities, Norris Williams, Associate Director of Business Ownership, introduces Breaking Barriers to Business (B3)—a bold initiative designed to expand opportunity for entrepreneurs in long undervalued commercial corridors across the Southeast.Through a partnership with Main Street America and support from Truist Foundation’s Where It Starts initiative, B3 is helping five cities align local government agencies, community-based organizations, and financial capital to better serve small business owners. By strengthening relationships, elevating community voice, and shifting harmful narratives, the initiative is transforming how cities support inclusive entrepreneurship.Hear how Atlanta, Charlotte, Memphis, Miami, and Nashville are working to create stronger business ecosystems—and why this systems-level approach is key to closing income and wealth gaps nationwide.

In this special year-end episode of Live with Living Cities, host Justin Charles reflects on a year of transformation, learning, and renewed purpose across the Living Cities ecosystem. From a clearer articulation of what it means to be a “Living City” to bold experiments in how capital, knowledge, and relationships flow through local economies, this episode takes listeners inside the ideas and partnerships shaping the future of inclusive prosperity.The episode features reflections from Living Cities CEO Joe Scantlebury on the organization’s evolution, its sharpened mission, and the growing movement to place people and communities at the center of economic systems. Justin also highlights two of the organization’s most important developments this year: the Breaking Barriers to Business initiative, which is strengthening small business ecosystems across Southeast cities, and the launch of the Living Cities Network, a new platform bringing municipal leaders together to rethink how opportunity is created and shared.Together, these stories paint a picture of a growing movement focused on reimagining how cities work, how capital moves, and how prosperity can be built to last. As the year comes to a close, this episode offers both reflection and a hopeful look ahead at what’s possible when systems are designed to help everyone thrive.

In this episode of Live with Living Cities, host Justin Charles speaks with Sydney Thomas, Conductor at Symphonic Capital, about reimagining venture capital to serve the 99%. Sydney shares how her personal journey shaped Symphonic’s mission, why intentional growth strategies like seed-strapping matter, and the role of storytelling and representation in building inclusive ecosystems.She also spotlights investments like Canopie, Scout, and Lōvu Health, showing how Symphonic ties business success to social impact. The conversation closes with Sydney’s advice for founders and investors, and her vision for the legacy Symphonic Capital will leave. Learn more at symphoniccapital.com and livingcities.org

In this episode of Live with Living Cities, guest host Valerie McDowell talks with Ashley Gabb, founder of Gabb Consulting and former executive at Estée Lauder, HP, and Discover, about her journey from corporate leadership to entrepreneurship. Ashley shares lessons on purpose-driven leadership, building equitable systems, and inspiring the next generation of changemakers.

Entrepreneurs can’t succeed alone—they need support systems. In this episode, Philip Gaskin breaks down what it means to build strong business ecosystems. We talk about how cities across the U.S. are helping small businesses grow by connecting people, resources, and funding—and why that matters for creating an economy that works for everyone.

When traditional finance falls short, where can changemakers turn? Host Justin Charles talks with Jim Casselberry of Known about how impact investing directs capital to overlooked communities and ideas. Gain insight, clarity, and real stories of money making the economy more inclusive.

In this episode of Live with Living Cities, host Justin Charles explores the power of catalytic capital and how the Inclusive Capital Council (ICC) is working to transform not just how capital flows—but who controls it and who benefits from it.You’ll hear from Daniel Nissenbaum, CEO of the Low Income Investment Fund (LIIF), and Mileyka Burgos-Flores, founder and executive director of the Allapattah Collaborative CDC in Miami. Together, they share how bold, equity-centered investments are challenging the status quo of traditional finance and fueling community-led economic development.From national capital strategies to neighborhood-level innovation, this episode unpacks the role of catalytic capital in closing income and wealth gaps, shifting power to community-based capital allocators, and building a more inclusive economy—one investment at a time.Whether you’re a funder, policymaker, entrepreneur, or advocate for equitable growth, this conversation offers powerful insights into what it takes to disrupt extractive systems and reimagine capital as a tool for justice.

In this episode of Live with Living Cities, host Justin Charles sits down with Dr. Ahmed Whitt, Director of the Center for Wealth Equity, for a timely and thought-provoking conversation about the rise of artificial intelligence and its far-reaching impact on our economy and communities. As AI rapidly transforms industries, reshapes how we work, and influences who has access to opportunity, this conversation delves into both the promise and the perils of this powerful technology.This episode examines how AI can drive innovation and productivity—but also how it can deepen existing inequalities if left unchecked. It also explores the CHIPS and Science Act and how federal investments in technology and infrastructure can be leveraged to build more inclusive and equitable economic systems—especially in an era of growing political division and economic uncertainty.Whether you're a policymaker, a tech enthusiast, or someone passionate about equitable economic development, this episode offers critical insights on what it takes to ensure the AI revolution benefits everyone.

In this episode of Live with Living Cities, CEO Joe Scantlebury sits down with Saint Paul Mayor Melvin Carter to explore how shared ownership and solidarity economy strategies are reshaping local governance. Recorded at the City of Saint Paul’s Office of Financial Empowerment conference, this powerful conversation highlights Saint Paul’s role in the Closing the Gaps Network and the broader movement for equitable economic transformation.

Host Justin Charles explores the origin and impact of Living Cities’ Closing the Gaps Network—a bold, national initiative helping cities tackle deep-rooted racial wealth and income disparities. Born out of the 2020 Year of Reckoning, the CTG Network has grown into a coalition of 24 cities committed to advancing long-term, inclusive, and community-driven solutions.In this episode, you'll learn how cities are working to empower entrepreneurs from underserved communities, expand access to homeownership, and dismantle systemic barriers to economic opportunity. Through initiatives like Breaking Barriers to Business, local leaders are transforming their policies, practices, and partnerships to build a more equitable future—one city at a time.

Welcome to Live with Living Cities, the podcast dedicated to building a just and equitable society by dismantling systemic barriers to financial equity. In this episode, host Justin Charles introduces you to Living Cities, a collaborative of influential philanthropies and financial institutions working to close the income and wealth gap and foster economic justice in cities across the U.S.The episode explores the historical roots of economic disparities, the necessity of systems change, and the role of collaborative partnerships in expanding access to capital. Featuring insights from Living Cities’ leadership and teams, this episode highlights initiatives like the Closing the Gaps Network and the Center for Wealth Equity, which are driving investment in undercapitalized communities. Listeners will gain a deeper understanding of how Living Cities works across sectors to remove barriers to financial opportunity and build sustainable solutions. This episode sets the stage for future discussions on transforming economies to ensure long-term financial security for all.Subscribe now and join the conversation at www.livingcities.org. Together, we can create lasting change.