“Walkability and Main Street Resilience” Virtual Event
This panel already happened, but you can view the recording of it here!
One of the hallmarks of a successful walkable community is a thriving town center or downtown district. These districts are where people can shop, eat, get a haircut, mail a letter, or just sit with a friend on a bench. When these nearby destinations and people-focused places suffer economically, the walkability of the community can also decline. Without a destination to walk to, fewer people will venture out. WalkBoston recognizes how important local businesses are to its core mission – making Massachusetts more walkable – and is concerned about the devastating effects of COVID-19 on local business’ resilience.
Join WalkBoston, main streets and municipal representatives on June 24th at 1pm EST to discuss how small, local businesses influence walkability. Through the panel, you will also learn how you can support local businesses to secure long-term neighborhood walkability during and after COVID-19.
This virtual panel discussion will:
- Illustrate the importance of vital business districts for walkable communities
- Elevate creative strategies in which individual businesses, their host municipalities, and customer communities can collaborate to help mitigate the impacts of COVID.
Meet our speakers:
Che Anderson, Deputy Cultural Development Officer, City of Worcester
Che Anderson is the Deputy Cultural Development Officer for the City of Worcester, and has worked in city government for over 6 years. He founded POW! WOW! Worcester, part of a global mural festival. He is passionate about supporting local businesses and special events programming in the Greater Worcester region. In recognition of his work, Anderson was named a member of the Power 50 by the Worcester Business Journal in 2019.
Alia Hamada Forrest, Executive Director, Roslindale Village Main Street
Alia Hamada Forrest is the Executive Director of Roslindale Village Main Street and has lived in Boston since 2003. She grew up in a family that values hospitality, food, and the restaurant industry — her dad was an executive chef at several restaurants in Phoenix, Arizona and her mom manages banquets and events at a resort in Scottsdale. A first-generation American, Alia brings compassion to the immigrant experience and small business.
