8 80 Cities
@880Cities
Nov 6
As we wrap up this series of Knight Emerging City Champion stories, we are celebrating the range of ideas and efforts our Champions have brought to their cities over the past year.
The 2025–2026 Knight Emerging City Champions campaign. A collage of four photographs showing community members participating in accessibility initiatives, environmental activities, neighbourhood projects and community gatherings. Text reads, "Making Space for Community Voices" and "2025–2026 Champions: Celebrate our Champions and their projects."
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8 80 Cities
@880Cities
Nov 6
Replying to @880Cities
📢Fan “Jazz” Yang’s Designing Dignity: Public Space for All explores how listening to people facing barriers can help shape more inclusive public spaces and connections to community resources.
A photograph shows a community member seated at an outdoor information table displaying name tags, materials and community resources. Below, text identifies Fan “Jazz” Yang from San José, CA, and the project, Designing Dignity: Public Space for All. The project listens to people facing barriers as they navigate the San José criminal justice system and explores ways to create more inclusive public spaces and stronger connections to community resources.
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8 80 Cities
@880Cities
Nov 6
Replying to @880Cities
We are grateful to have been part of their journeys and look forward to seeing the continued impact of their work in their communities.

Read their stories on the Knight Emerging City Champions' website.
🔗emergingcitychampions.org/blog/

@knightfdn
White text on a dark green background reads, "Creating more ways for people to participate in shaping their communities." Two prominent calls to action read, "Meet THE CHAMPIONS" and "Read THEIR STORIES." Text at the bottom invites readers to check out the Champions' blogs on the Knight Emerging City Champions blog.
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8 80 Cities
@880Cities
Nov 6
We are continuing our Knight Emerging City Champions stories series with three more projects making a difference in their communities.

This group highlights projects focused on environmental care, urban agriculture, and neighbourhood stewardship. ⭐
The 2025–2026 Knight Emerging City Champions campaign. A collage of three photographs showing community members participating in environmental initiatives, community planning discussions and neighbourhood engagement activities. Text reads, "Growing Change from the Ground Up" and "2025–2026 Champions: Celebrate our Champions and their projects."
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8 80 Cities
@880Cities
Nov 6
Replying to @880Cities
🌱Lorena James’s Eco-Underdogs: Upcycling for Justice transforms invasive plants into materials for art and creative reuse.
🥬Xiem Busch Vuong’s Community Garden Connect brings urban agriculture leaders together to share knowledge and explore opportunities for the future.
A photograph shows community members standing together on a stage in front of a backdrop that reads "How on Earth? Live!" Below, text identifies Lorena James from Charlotte, NC, and the project, Eco-Underdogs: Upcycling for Justice. The project transforms invasive plants into paper, natural-fibre art and seed bombs, connecting creative reuse with environmental justice and community engagement.A photograph shows community members seated around tables during a collaborative meeting in a conference room. Below, text identifies Xiem Busch-Vuong from Saint Paul, MN, and the project, Community Garden Connect. The project maps community growing spaces across Ramsey County and brings urban agriculture leaders together to share knowledge, strengthen connections and plan for the future.
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8 80 Cities
@880Cities
Nov 6
Replying to @880Cities
💧Kadafi El-Kardah’s Drain Buddies! invites Germantown residents to care for local storm drains and help protect nearby waterways.

Read their stories on the Knight Emerging City Champions' website.
🔗emergingcitychampions.org/blog/

@knightfdn
A photograph shows a community member standing beneath a tent, holding a large photograph of a storm drain and a bright green Drain Buddies tote bag during an outreach event. Below, text identifies Kadafi El-Kardah from Philadelphia, PA, and the project, Drain Buddies!. The project launches a Germantown volunteer initiative that encourages residents to care for storm drains and help protect local waterways.White text on navy background reads, "Local ideas for healthier relationships with nature and our neighbourhoods." Two prominent calls to action read, "Meet THE CHAMPIONS" and "Read THEIR STORIES." Text at the bottom invites readers to check out the Champions' blogs on the Knight Emerging City Champions blog.
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8 80 Cities
@880Cities
Nov 6
We are continuing to share the stories of our Knight Emerging City Champions and the work they have been doing in their communities

This group highlights projects focused on accessibility, care, and connection. 💖
The 2025–2026 Knight Emerging City Champions campaign. A collage of community-focused photographs featuring people participating in public events, community conversations, educational activities and local initiatives. Text reads, "Building Bridges, Creating Belonging" and "2025–2026 Champions: Celebrate our Champions and their projects."
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8 80 Cities
@880Cities
Nov 6
Replying to @880Cities
🌈DeMarcus Beckham’s The Still Point is advancing accessibility at community events and festivals, with a focus on neurodivergent people.
🪥Jessica Haddad’s Bridging the Smile Gap helps Philadelphia residents navigate barriers to affordable dental care.
A photograph shows children and adults gathered outdoors beside a colorful mural, participating in a community art activity with tables, displays and creative materials. Below, text identifies DeMarcus Beckham from Macon, GA, and the project, The Still Point. The project advances accessibility at community events and festivals, with a focus on supporting neurodivergent people and creating more welcoming experiences for all participants.A photograph shows a community volunteer engaging young children during an outreach event using a bright blue dragon puppet. Event tables and information booths are visible in the background. Below, text identifies Jessica Haddad from Philadelphia, PA, and the project, Bridging the Smile Gap. The project connects residents with affordable dental care through community events, referrals and an online resource designed to help people navigate language and cost barriers.
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8 80 Cities
@880Cities
Nov 6
Replying to @880Cities
🌿Through Veteran Village, Khaia Gibson is creating opportunities for veterans and young people to connect through nature, mentorship and shared learning.

Read their stories on the Knight Emerging City Champions' website.
🔗emergingcitychampions.org/blog/

@knightfdn
A photograph shows three people standing beside a Veteran Art Society banner displayed outdoors. The banner promotes programs, services and resources available to veterans. Below, text identifies Khaia Gibson from Macon, GA, and the project, Veteran Village. The project connects veterans and youth through mentorship, nature-based activities and community conversations that increase awareness of PTSD and support life after service.White text on a dark green background reads, "Making connections and opening up access to the things communities need." Two prominent calls to action read, "Meet THE CHAMPIONS" and "Read THEIR STORIES." Text at the bottom invites readers to check out the Champions' blogs on the Knight Emerging City Champions blog.
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8 80 Cities
@880Cities
Nov 6
Over the past year, our #KECChampions have been putting their ideas into action and making meaningful contributions in their communities. As we celebrate the work they have been leading, we are sharing a closer look at their projects and the people behind them. We are excited to nues to grow beyond the program.

In our first stories, we have Champions providing opportunities for art, creativity, and storytelling to shine ✨
The 2025–2026 Knight Emerging City Champions campaign. A collage of four photographs showing community members participating in art workshops, creative activities and an oral history project. Text reads, "Making Space for Creativity & Storytelling" and "2025–2026 Champions: Celebrate our Champions and their projects."
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8 80 Cities
@880Cities
Nov 6
Replying to @880Cities
🌱Jacoub Reyes’s The Evolving Edge explores mangrove ecology through printmaking and ceramics
🔉Jerjuan Howard’s Puritan Avenue Archive Project preserves neighbourhood history through oral histories and photographs.
A photograph shows three people gathered around a table during a collaborative discussion, with Jacoub, the KECC Champion, standing and speaking while the others listen and work with materials. Below, text identifies Jacoub Reyes from Miami, FL, and his project, The Evolving Edge. The project explores mangrove ecology through printmaking and ceramics, bringing residents together to create art about the role mangroves play in coastal protection.A photograph shows two people seated across from each other in a living room during an oral history interview, with a recording device set up between them. Below, text identifies Jerjuan Howard from Detroit, MI, and his project, Puritan Avenue Archive Project. The project preserves Detroit's Puritan Avenue history through oral history interviews and a collection of more than 100 historical photographs.
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8 80 Cities
@880Cities
Nov 6
Replying to @880Cities
Read their stories on the Knight Emerging City Champions' website.
🔗emergingcitychampions.org/blog/

@knightfdn
White text on navy background reads, "Art, creativity, and storytelling can change how we see our communities." Two prominent calls to action read, "Meet THE CHAMPIONS" and "Read THEIR STORIES." Text at the bottom invites readers to check out the Champions' blogs on the Knight Emerging City Champions blog.
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8 80 Cities
@880Cities
Nov 4
❄️ Looking to bring more life, activity, and connection to your public spaces this winter?
✅At 8 80 Cities, we help municipalities, organizations, and community leaders create people-centred places through workshops, training, and placemaking support.
🤝🏼Join us for a FREE plore how our team can help you design vibrant public spaces, strengthen community engagement, and activate places year-round.
🎯This month's focus: Winter Placemaking Strategies ☃️
🌟Whether you're planning seasonal activations, community events, or long-term public space improvements, we'll help you explore solutions tailored to your community.

📅 November 25, 2026
⏰ 1:00 PM ET
💻 Online
🔗 Register: bit.ly/4zrk9Uf

#Placemaking #WinterCities #PublicSpace #CommunityEngagement #Urbanism #MunicipalLeadership #880Cities
Text asking if you are interested in services, highlighting winter placemaking this season with colourful circles.Graphic highlighting 20 years of experience in Winter Placemaking with workshops focused on vibrant, healthy, inclusive cities.
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8 80 Cities
@880Cities
Oct 29
🤸🏽More spaces for children to move, play and connect safely in Vancouver!

🎉Congratulations to the City of Vancouver on the launch of its year-long School Street at Hastings Elementary School! Implemented as part of the #NationalActiveSchoolStreetsInitiative (NASSI), this School ve effort between research partner @UBC and community partner @scyofbc, which organizes Play Streets with activities like a bike course, music and drumming, and mini bowling.

🏫The City of Vancouver has been running School Streets programs since 2021 through a partnership with the Vancouver School Board. So far, 14 schools have participated. The City joined NASSI as a Level-up community in 2024 and implemented a year-long School Street at Lord Selkirk Elementary in the 2025-2026 school year, which has extended into this school year as well.

🙌🏼Kudos to the City for its leadership and stewardship of an important program like School Streets, which reclaims streets for children and makes them safer for everyone.

@grncommunities leads the National Active School Streets Initiative, funded by @GovCanHealth 8 80 Cities is a technical lead on this initiative alongside @EcologieUrbaine and Society for Children and Youth of BC.

🔗 Learn more about 8 80 Cities role in NASSI: lnkd.in/gx8RBD7X

🔗 Learn more about NASSI: lnkd.in/etBuUGCr

📷Society for Children and Youth of BC

#880cities #SchoolStreets #ActiveSchoolTravel #RightToMobility #RightToPublicSpaces
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8 80 Cities
@880Cities
Oct 29
🎉Congratulations, 2025 #OCChangemakers!
Yesterday, we celebrated the 30 Ontario Community Changemakers who implemented their projects over the past year. Together, we had an amazing year of shared learning and growth. We wish you all the best in your next chapter. 🙌🏽

🔗Learn 2026-2027 cohort: ontariocommunitychangemakers.org

#BalsamFoundation #SocialInclusion #CivicEngagement #PublicSpace #Ontario #Canada
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8 80 Cities
@880Cities
Oct 29
📣The October edition of the 8 80 Cities Newsletter is here! Discover our latest project and explore articles on outdoor play, social connection and more. Enjoy!🍂
🔗mailchi.mp/880cities.org/…
#880Cities #CreatingCitiesForAll
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8 80 Cities
@880Cities
Oct 24
✨ It's Day 2 and the final day of the 2026 Ontario Community Changemakers Studio!

Today, we'll visit two incredible community spaces that demonstrate the power of creativity, resident leadership, and community-driven change.

We'll begin at Mabelle Arts in Etobicoke, where about the transformation of Mabelle Park and The Belle, a vibrant community hub created through years of grassroots organizing, partnership, and local leadership.

We'll then head to Miraki Life Workspace in Toronto's Dundas West and Roncesvalles neighbourhood, a creative hub built around collaboration, innovation, and meaningful connection.

The day will feature peer learning, project development, conversations with OCC alumni, collective reflection, and co-creating our OCC Community Agreement. We'll close the Studio by celebrating everything we've shared and learned together!

💙 The journey doesn't end here. It's just the beginning.

#OCChangemakers #SocialInclusion #CivicEngagement #PublicSpace #BalsamFoundation #Ontario #Canada
A group of approximately 18 people gathers around and sits on a sculptural seating installation in an outdoor park setting. The group is positioned on a paved area surrounded by tall trees with autumn foliage in shades of gold, orange, and brown. One participant uses a wheelchair, while others sit, stand, or converse around the structure. Sunlight filters through the trees, creating a warm fall atmosphere.
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