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Three Main Street America Staff members standing in front of a mural in Marion, Iowa.

Marion, Iowa © Tasha Sams

About

We work in collaboration with thousands of local partners and grassroots leaders across the nation who share our commitment to advancing shared prosperity, creating resilient economies, and improving quality of life.

Overview Who We Are How We Work Partner Collaborations Our Supporters Our Team Job Opportunities Contact Us
Two community members in Emporia Kansas pose with a sign saying "I'm a Main Streeter"

Emporia, Kansas © Emporia Main Street

Our Network

Made up of small towns, mid-sized communities, and urban commercial districts, the thousands of organizations, individuals, volunteers, and local leaders that make up Main Street America™ represent the broad diversity that makes this country so unique.

Overview Coordinating Programs Main Street Communities Collective Impact Awards & Recognition Community Evaluation Framework Join the Movement
Dionne Baux and MSA partner working in Bronzeville, Chicago.

Chicago, Illinois © Main Street America

Resources

Looking for strategies and tools to support you in your work? Delve into the Main Street Resource Center and explore a wide range of resources including our extensive Knowledge Hub, professional development opportunities, field service offerings, advocacy support, and more!

Overview Knowledge Hub Field Services Government Relations Main Street Now Conference Main Street America Institute Small Business Support Allied Member Services The Point Members Area
People riding e-scooters in Waterloo, Iowa

Waterloo, Iowa © Main Street Waterloo

The Latest

Your one-stop-shop for all the latest stories, news, events, and opportunities – including grants and funding programs – across Main Street.

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Woman and girl at a festival booth in Kendall Whittier, Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Kendall Whittier — Tulsa, Oklahoma © Kendall Whittier Main Street

Get Involved

Join us in our work to advance shared prosperity, create strong economies, and improve quality of life in downtowns and neighborhood commercial districts.

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Three Main Street America Staff members standing in front of a mural in Marion, Iowa.

Marion, Iowa © Tasha Sams

About

We work in collaboration with thousands of local partners and grassroots leaders across the nation who share our commitment to advancing shared prosperity, creating resilient economies, and improving quality of life.

Overview Who We Are How We Work Partner Collaborations Our Supporters Our Team Job Opportunities Contact Us
Two community members in Emporia Kansas pose with a sign saying "I'm a Main Streeter"

Emporia, Kansas © Emporia Main Street

Our Network

Made up of small towns, mid-sized communities, and urban commercial districts, the thousands of organizations, individuals, volunteers, and local leaders that make up Main Street America™ represent the broad diversity that makes this country so unique.

Overview Coordinating Programs Main Street Communities Collective Impact Awards & Recognition Community Evaluation Framework Join the Movement
Dionne Baux and MSA partner working in Bronzeville, Chicago.

Chicago, Illinois © Main Street America

Resources

Looking for strategies and tools to support you in your work? Delve into the Main Street Resource Center and explore a wide range of resources including our extensive Knowledge Hub, professional development opportunities, field service offerings, advocacy support, and more!

Overview Knowledge Hub Field Services Government Relations Main Street Now Conference Main Street America Institute Small Business Support Allied Member Services The Point Members Area
People riding e-scooters in Waterloo, Iowa

Waterloo, Iowa © Main Street Waterloo

The Latest

Your one-stop-shop for all the latest stories, news, events, and opportunities – including grants and funding programs – across Main Street.

Overview News & Stories Events & Opportunities Subscribe
Woman and girl at a festival booth in Kendall Whittier, Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Kendall Whittier — Tulsa, Oklahoma © Kendall Whittier Main Street

Get Involved

Join us in our work to advance shared prosperity, create strong economies, and improve quality of life in downtowns and neighborhood commercial districts.

Overview Join Us Renew Your Membership Donate Partner With Us Job Opportunities
Equiticity founder, Oboi Reed, leads a community bike ride in Chicago’s Pullman neighborhood. Credit: Oscar Sanchez.
Equiticity founder, Oboi Reed, leads a community bike ride in Chicago’s Pullman neighborhood. Credit: Oscar Sanchez.

Main Street America believes that the best approach is one that comes from within the community itself. Something that is reflective of the place and people that are looking to revitalize a neighborhood that they are passionate about. It was our great fortune last year to connect Equiticity, a grassroots racial equity movement, with the Corridor Managers of Chicago's INVEST South/West initiative to bring commercial corridors to life through a series of bicycle rides.

Under the guidance of Equiticity founder, Oboi Reed, and with support from Divvy (Chicago’s bike share system), the communities of South Chicago, Humboldt Park, Avalon Park/South Shore, and Roseland/Pullman showed up and showed out in some classic summertime Chi weather.

Each ride had its own playlist, a costume or community merch aspect, and a connection to local culture and flavor that invited participants to fall in love with these corridors like kids on summer vacation.

Left: Stopping to enjoy a mural in South Chicago. Right: Connecting with residents before riding out. Credit: Oscar Sanchez.
Left: Stopping to enjoy a mural in South Chicago. Right: Connecting with residents before riding out. Credit: Oscar Sanchez.

In South Chicago we rode past the annual Meeting of Styles mural fest and supported vendors at Bridges Puentes.

Left: Ride organizers and participants pause for a photo. Right: Organizers partner with a local business to support the ride. Credit: Oscar Sanchez.
Left: Ride organizers and participants pause for a photo. Right: Organizers partner with a local business to support the ride. Credit: Oscar Sanchez.

Humboldt Park brought a super experience—superhero that is! And the capes were flying past Cultural landmarks and new storefronts.

Left: New Black Renaissance band providing a soundtrack for the ride in Avalon Park and South Shore. Right: A ride participant and community supporter stands in front of a community mural. Credit: Oscar Sanchez.
Left: New Black Renaissance band providing a soundtrack for the ride in Avalon Park and South Shore. Right: A ride participant and community supporter stands in front of a community mural. Credit: Oscar Sanchez.

Have you ever put a live band on the back of a truck? Avalon Park and South Shore teamed up with the New Black Renaissance band to get bikes and booties swaying as riders passed historic artworks. We even picked up a singer along the route!

Left: Main Street America staff engage with community members. Right: Riders stop to pick up a sweet treat and support a local business. Credit: Oscar Sanchez.
Left: Main Street America staff engage with community members. Right: Riders stop to pick up a sweet treat and support a local business. Credit: Oscar Sanchez.

During the ride through the Pullman neighborhood, we donned Halloween costumes and celebrated the new and old: from starting at the new National Monument Park to stopping at the Pullman Community Center and the Old Fashioned Donuts shop.

What was the best part of this experience? That as soon as Chicago thaws out this year, we will be expanding this opportunity to a total of 9 neighborhoods. We hope to see you on the South and West Sides this summer as we celebrate the wins of the Invest South/West corridors the best way possible: together as a community.

Our communities are excited to experience the 2023 ride series. To learn more and find up-to-date information about upcoming rides please visit equaticity.org.