LaForce Baker

Today, Crain's Chicago Business published this outstanding Op-Ed by Kendra Jackson Freeman, the Vice President of Programs and Strategic Impact at the Metropolitan Planning Council in Chicago. She outlines her philosophy of city-wide inclusive planning for large projects that can significantly alter the trajectory of our city. Recently, we witnessed two remarkable large-scale economic development initiatives: the “Illinois Quantum & Microelectronics Park” on the South Side of Chicago and the expansion of the United Center on the West Side. These projects are among the most substantial economic development efforts in Chicagoland over the past decades. Drawing from the Metropolitan Planning Council’s 90 years of experience, Kendra is formulating four planning principles crucial for anyone involved in inclusive economic development: - Follow the plans we have already created. - Public funding should benefit the public good. - Every community is valued and has a voice. - Expand places to live, work, and play. Kendra concludes her Op-Ed with empowering and insightful words: “To create the future we want, we cannot forego the opportunity to implement these principles. Doing so will ensure a better public return on investment, and just as important, a more exciting and equitable future. We should build not just for ourselves or for the sake of development, but for our children and the generations to come.” Well said, indeed.

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A huge thank you to Donna Oser, CAE of Michigan Society of Association Executives for including my article, Event Planning in the Digital Age: Leveraging AI for Efficiency and Innovation, in the Spring issue of IMPACT magazine. #naylor #associations #events #eventplanning #digitalage #ai

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Pro-Housing Claims: Speaking Up at Columbus Zoning Meetings We're diving into the crucial role of housing in Columbus. Join us as we confront city council members about their pro-housing claims and highlight the consequences of their decisions at upcoming zoning meetings. Your voice matters! #ProHousing #ColumbusZoning #CityCouncil #CommunityVoice #HousingCrisis #PublicSpeaking #LocalGovernment #UrbanDevelopment #HousingMatters #Advocacy

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Yesterday in a hearing of the Chicago City Council Immigration Committee, the focus was on future migration patterns to our City. Over the last 2 years, we welcomed over 44,000 migrants, that have been sent to Chicago by bus or plane from border states which led to stretched resources and created intense discussion on its impact on the city's budget. The reality is that global climate change will increase future migration trends to Chicago and big parts of the Midwest. We will be the destination of many migrants due to our region's climate resilient nature and abundant water supply. We can't pretend that these migration patterns will disappear over the next decade, rather they will further accelerate. This fact will require both a more comprehensive immigration policy and approach on national level as well as a structured and intentional strategy on our local level. In the 1950s, Chicago boasted a population of over 3.5 million residents compared to approximately 2.75 million today. To ensure the fiscal stability of our city budget and drive long-term economic prosperity, Chicago needs continued immigration. Our city has always been a city of immigrants, and it should remain one. However, we must be better prepared to make this influx a positive experience for everyone: structurally, infrastructure-wise, and socially across all 77 neighborhoods. It's essential to ensure that current residents do not feel neglected or disadvantaged compared to new residents. Being a welcoming city is not just a phrase but a strategy that requires daily, pragmatic execution.

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With Kamala picking Governor Walz as her Vice Presidential nominee, let's take a look at his social follower data as we did Senator Vance less than a month ago. Activate HQ assessed the follower data of Governor Walz's over 737,000 social followers and found they are highly engaged, skew female and white, and a large percentage are from his home state of Minnesota. Some additional statistics and findings below: The Governor's Content Quality is Off of the Charts: His social content performs incredibly well as he's 20+% higher than the industry average for engagement rates on X and Instagram for his campaign accounts, suggesting he's an effective communicator via social media (and more broadly). Ethnicity: 86% of his followers are white. Gender: 73% of his followers are female. Location of Followers: There is a high concentration in his home state with 80% of his present following from Minnesota. The battleground state of Wisconsin has the second most followers of the Governor. Follower Size: He brings close to 750K followers to the campaign. Social Presence: Like most politicians, X represents 58% of his social following with 429K followers. How does his social following compare to Senator Vance: Follower Volume: Senator Vance had a similar following (720K followers) less than one month ago when he was announced as Trump's VP nominee. Vance has subsequently picked up an increase of 150% new followers since the announcement with 1.8M followers presently. Battleground States: PA and GA are in Vance's top ten among his followers and Walz is strong in Wisconsin. See below for the data that informed this analysis. Activate lives and breathes on data as we use data and insights to inform how we best activate target audiences. What data stands out to you? #Kamala #Walz

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Sugar Bliss was recently spotlighted by the Illinois APEX Accelerator at the Women’s Business Development Center (WBDC). Our success in securing government contracts has been a game-changer, and I hope to inspire fellow small business owners to explore similar paths. Sugar Bliss started in 2007, but it wasn’t until 2017 that I took the crucial step of obtaining women and minority certifications. Initially, I believed these certifications were solely for government contracting. At that time, my focus was on expanding our corporate partnerships. However, once I discovered the broader benefits of certification, I knew I had to make a change. The certification process turned out to be surprisingly straightforward and minimal cost for my business. What I didn’t anticipate was the profound impact it would have on my growth. Shortly after getting certified, I won a six-year government contract and unlocked several significant business opportunities that required Illinois Business Enterprise Program (BEP) certification. For those small business owners eager to tap into government contracts, I encourage you to be proactive: - Subscribe to Newsletters: Stay updated on the latest opportunities and resources. - Attend In-Person Information Sessions: These sessions provide invaluable insights into the bidding process and what agencies are looking for. - Research Bid Opportunities: Knowledge is power! Regularly check platforms for new contract listings that fit your business. - Start as a Subcontractor: Don’t be discouraged if you’re not ready to pursue prime contracts right away. Working as a subcontractor can build your experience and reputation. Every step you take toward certification and government contracting can lead to unexpected opportunities. I’m grateful for the journey Sugar Bliss has taken, and I look forward to seeing other small businesses thrive as well. https://lnkd.in/gCJVQN6c Women's Business Development Center (WBDC) Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity

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In today's Chicago Tribune, the new chancellor of the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) and a good friend of mine, Marie Lynn Miranda, outlines the importance of continued investments in the renewal of American public colleges and universities. It's important to be aware of the tremendous impact that UIC already has on the education and well-being of so many Illinois residents: - 56% of the UIC's students receive Pell Grants and 46% are the first in their family to attend college - UIC receives annually over $500MM in research funds focussed on advances and innovation in real world issues like poverty and inequality, health care, homelessness, diseases cure and management, climate change and much more - UIC produces 1 in 3 physicians & dentists and 1 in 4 social workers in Illinois. And the University has trained 1 out of every 11 Chicago public school principals. - 57% of UIC graduates leave without any debt from UIC, and for those who leave with debt from UIC have an average of $21,000 in financial obligations to the University. Chancellor Miranda makes a strong case to continue to invest in the programs and institutions that will keep the United States in the forefront of economic growth while providing more equal opportunities for all our residents. We need strong public Universities and Colleges to ensure a bright future in Chicago, Illinois, and the U.S. Thank you for your important voice and stronger leadership, Chancellor! Read the complete OpEd here:https://lnkd.in/gsWgQbx2

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Great read by Aneesh Sohoni of One Million Degrees and Andrea Sáenz at The Chicago Community Trust, one of the country's oldest and largest community foundations, featured in Crain's Chicago Business last week. In the op-ed, they take a look at how cities like Chicago can drive and sustain economic growth by investing in overlooked talent. "Such investments do more than brighten the prospects for individual learners and workers; they lay the foundation for a more vibrant future for the region’s economy. Strengthening Chicago’s economy and building a more inclusive workforce are two sides of the same coin." Read more here on why inclusive growth should be a top priority for the future of Chicago’s economy. #InclusiveGrowth #TalentDevelopment #ChicagoEconomy #WorkforceDevelopment

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Chicago continues to have significant challenges that need to be addressed, including a highly problematic financial outlook of City finances for the next years, and a challenging and complicated situation at the Chicago Public Schools system to describe it mildly. But the last few months have brought some of the best news to Chicagoland in decades: The announcement of two of the largest economic development projects ever - the + $7Billion expansion of the area around the United Center and the new +$10Billion "Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park" on the South side - as well as a highly successful DNC week that highlighted Chicago's beauty, energy, and diversity on a global stage in the best manner possible. While Crain's Chicago Business's own Greg Hinz spends 3/4 of his article on our challenges, I do appreciate that I was able to sneak in a positive quote: "“The last couple of months have been terrific for Chicago. Just wonderful. A couple of the biggest development deals in decades.” You can never take the optimism out of an eternal optimist.

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Curious about what happened to Dom's Kitchen & Market? Crain's Chicago Business retail reporter Ally Marotti joined host Amy Guth to discuss what went wrong at the upscale Chicago grocery store. Marotti recently interviewed Dom’s co-founder Jay Owen. Back story: Dom’s was founded by Owen, a venture investor in food technology and next-generation commerce and great-grandson of Dominick DiMatteo, founder of the Dominick’s supermarket chain; Bob Mariano (founder of Mariano’s, former CEO of Roundy’s Supermarkets and Dominick’s), and Don Fitzgerald (a former senior executive at Roundy’s, Mariano’s, and Dominick’s). 2021: Dom's opened its first store in June, 2021 in Chicago’s Lincoln Park neighborhood. I remember interviewing Mariano by phone a few weeks after the opening and then later talking to him at the store. 2022: Dom’s opened a second store in Plum Market’s old space in Old Town in November, 2022. I attended the grand opening and got to talk with Fitzgerald. 2023: Dom’s and Foxtrot announced a merger in November 2023. The combined entity took the name of Outfox Hospitality. According to Marotti, Owen told her that one reason for the merger was to reduce corporate overhead expenses. But in order to do that, they needed to open more stores to get to scale. February 13, 2024: Outfox Hospitality CEO Liz Williams is named CEO of El Pollo Loco effective March 11 according to a press release from the restaurant chain. When Dom’s and Foxtrot were merging, they had raised another round of financing but did not close the funding round according to Owen. Williams stepping down from the CEO role right after the merger spooked the investors so Outfox was unable to close that round of financing. April 23, 2024: Outfox Hospitality abruptly closed the 2 Dom’s Kitchen & Market stores and all 33 Foxtrot locations in Chicago, Austin, Dallas, and the Washington. D.C., area. The company notified employees of the closure while customers were still inside the stores. The company had been talking to prospective buyers between January through April 2024 according to Owen. They thought they had a buyer in April but the deal fell through. The Outfox board decided they had no other options and decided to shut the company. June 19, 2024: Crain’s reports that The Fresh Market, a North Carolina-based grocery chain, plans to open a new store at Dom’s old Lincoln Park location. The Dom’s Old Town location remains unleased. I am still saddened by the closure of Dom’s and Foxtrot stores and its impact on former employees and vendors. Fortunately, The Fresh Market is actively recruiting former Dom’s employees to staff its upcoming Chicago store. https://lnkd.in/g7ZKx78v

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I commend Sterling Bay and its CEO, Andy Gloor, for their unwavering commitment to the development of Lincoln Yards. In today’s open letter to Crain's Chicago Business’s and its readers, they rightly emphasized that significant real estate projects like this demand patience, strategic adjustments, and a steadfast belief in the bright future of our city and region. It's crucial to understand that Chicagoland's success hinges on expanding our tax base, which is largely composed of individuals, corporations, and real estate assets—all of which contribute significantly to the city's, county's, and state's tax revenue. While we can certainly debate how our elected officials should wisely and diligently allocate these tax dollars, the ultimate goal should be to increase overall revenue. This needs to primarily be achieved not by raising taxes on everyone, but by broadening our tax base. These are my $0.02 of economic wisdom and perspective.

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Chicago deserves so much more than an empty lot. It's not always comfortable to tell other federal agencies they can do better - but that's *precisely* what Congress requires our agency to do. I published this op-ed in the Chicago Tribune yesterday to raise public awareness of a seemingly bureaucratic Section 106 issue that could have far-reaching consequences - opening the door to federal agencies demolishing buildings in urban locations across the country. The issue is the potential demolition of two (very cool) historic buildings in downtown Chicago. Here's what I said: "More important than the architectural and environmental value of these two sites, though, is the terrifying precedent that would be set: that it’s okay to demolish perfectly usable historic buildings in the heart of our cities.  Federal agencies could use the same nebulous logic about security concerns to radically change main streets, downtowns, and neighborhoods all over the country.  The whole notion seems ripped right out of an urban renewal playbook from the 1960s.  In fact, it was federal agencies’ cruel evisceration of our cities that inspired the National Historic Preservation Act, and the Section 106 process it enshrines, in the first place." As Chair, I only get involved directly in a handful of the 120,000 Section 106 "undertakings" every year. This one is so important because urban renewal is one "historic" thing that we should never bring back. I am keeping an eye on this process as it evolves.

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Tomorrow is Juneteenth. Illinoisans -- Plan to shop a nuEra Cannabis dispensary. There's Seven to choose from: Downtown Chicago, Dekalb, Aurora, Pekin, Champaign, Urbana, and East Peoria. And plan to select from nuEra's featured selection of cannabis products made and marketed by local minority owner/operators. Why? Because on June 19th, your purchase will support the quality-of-life plan in one of Chicago's poorest and most dangerous regions: the South Side of Chicago. From tomorrow's sales, nuEra will be donating 5 percent of revenue from these featured product purchases to the South Shore Chamber of Commerce. Products include nuEra house of brands products, aerīz's 93 Boyz, Akele Parnell's Umi Farms, Royale Tree, Future of Leaf, Galaxy Labs and all the The 1937 Group partner brands it markets, made by the Group's Helios Labs: Old Pal, Lobo Cannagar, BLOOM, and Potli. As well as the first house brand the Group just dropped, Higher Self_canna. South Shore: you know that's where the The 1937 Foundation calls home, as does the majority of its team and partners. So -- Thanks for shopping. We can't wait to see the Oversized Size of that Check! (Thank you Jonah Rapino for continuing to evolve purpose-driven collaborations!) #nonprofit #juneteenth #minoritiesincannabis #cannabisproductpromotions #dispensaries #illinoiscannabis #southside #chamberofcommerce

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Yesterday was the major content day for Naturally MN’s annual Food Ag Ideas week. Great job emceeing Maureen Ballatori and thank you for all the hard work in putting it together Allison Hohn! This year’s theme was all about why the time for regen ag is now, and what will it take to scale. While there’s a ton of work to be done, the passion in the room of “about” 150 people gives me confidence we’ll get there eventually. After all, feeding the growing global population sustainably depends on it! Some of my big takeaways: - A simple, all-encompassing definition of regenerative agriculture coined by Albert Lindbergh in 1937: “Leave the land better than you found it.” - Because regen means different things to different people, we should think of “regenerative” as a big tent where everybody is welcome, but people come in from different poles, whether the focus is on microbial soil activity, general soil health, improved water infiltration, carbon sequestration, nutrient density, or other. They’re all regenerative, and everyone’s welcome! - Organic is about practices (the how) where Regenerative is about outcomes (the so what). In marrying the two, Regenerative Organic should make the link clear between practices and outcomes. Another association I heard: organic means YOUR HEALTH, regenerative means A HEALTHY ENVIRONMENT (at least, today it does). - Certifications are important to gaining consumer trust - but be careful about making your product ALL ABOUT the message and forgetting about what drives almost all purchase decisions…a positive experience (not JUST taste) relative to expectations and price value. That said, relevant certifications will probably get the product in the door at a retailer. - Don’t confuse your consumer message by turning it into a checklist of credentials. Focus on your ONE primary message driven by the value proposition (keeping in mind that experience and price typically drive purchase decisions), and use your credentials as a reason to believe. - Common sense tells us that there is a link between soil health and nutrient density of food. BUT, the science doesn’t yet exist to make a clear, definitive, and straight-line connection. Be careful about overstating this link until the science clearly supports it. - Collaboration with and effective storytelling by passionate people working toward the same goal will be key to success - but be sure to embrace the value of a skeptic poking holes in the theory. Hope is not a strategy, and critical analysis stemming from skepticism on claims will turn hope into certainty! I’ll let others post some pics to show the passion - I forgot to take some! What a day! What else did you take away? #naturallyminnesota #foodagideas #passion #regenerative

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This morning I had the pleasure of listening to Consumer Reports CEO Marta L. Tellado speak at the Better Business Bureau's national gathering in downtown Minneapolis.   Marta shared on many topics related to consumer protection and I wanted to pass along some of what I heard so others can think on it, too. To clarify, what I'm about to share is my interpretation of what was said and may not accurately reflect her intent.   - Consumers view #AI tools, such as ChatGPT, as useful. Because of this positive association, many people are convinced that what they receive from ChatGPT is accurate. CR ran its own tests and found that results can misrepresent data and be factually incorrect. CR is developing ethically-based AI tools. Overall, there is a need for more competition in the AI industry and systems of accountability around the technology.   - Consumer protection laws continue to struggle to keep up with the advancements of technology. This means consumers are often open to risk of fraud and, in some cases, become the guinea pigs for companies' services and products.   - Business owners and entrepreneurs should be encouraged to use ethical design when initially forming and operating their business. A strong foundation for how a company does business can help it adapt moving forward.  - No one can outright control consumer behavior, but studying it is a useful measurement for calculating the risks a company or organization should take.   - Here were my takeaway questions to think on: 1. How does the value of what a business or organization offer change in the eyes of consumers over time? And, how do those groups adapt their services and/or products to that change? 2. How do you effectively remind consumers of your business or organization's value when there are so many competitors in the digital marketplace?   Thank you to Susan Adams Loyd, Bao Vang, Julie Kiedrowski and the rest of the BBB of MN & ND team for hosting this week of events in the Twin Cities.   #ethical #entrepreneurship #partnership #protect #consumers #business #development #thoughtleadership #bbb  

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🌟 Exciting news from the heart of Detroit! 🌟 After 14 long years of meticulous planning and community effort by Malik Yakini and team, the Detroit People's Food Co-op has officially opened its doors in the North End neighborhood! This isn't just another grocery store; it's a beacon of hope and a revolutionary step towards combating food insecurity in the area. For those unfamiliar, the cooperative model of this store means it's owned and operated by community members themselves—giving power back to the people! This allows for critical community-led decisions on pricing and sourcing, ensuring the goods are affordable and cater to the local needs 🌱. 👨‍🌾👩‍🌾 The co-op's primary focus? Providing fresh, healthy, and affordable food options especially in areas known as food deserts. These are areas where access to such resources has been traditionally scarce, affecting many residents' daily lives. Having worked closely with community development projects, I've seen firsthand how powerful these initiatives can be. They do more than just sell food—they build community, empower residents, and foster a sense of ownership and pride among members. 📣 What are your thoughts on the role such cooperatives play in promoting food justice and community empowerment? Have you been involved in or benefited from similar models in your area? Let's discuss how we can support and replicate such impactful models in other communities. Your stories and insights are valuable! #FoodJustice #CommunityDevelopment #Cooperative #Detroit #FoodSecurity #Empowerment #InnovationInFood

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Crain's Chicago Business asked a handful of civic leaders and business experts to offer their own perspectives on Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson’s first term. Belle Haven's Director of Research, Dora Lee shared her thoughts on how he can keep the momentum going: To the surprise of many, Chicago emerged from the pandemic with several upgrades and a promising financial outlook. These improvements, however, are fragile. Here’s how to keep the momentum going: 🔸Be realistic: Resist the temptation to balance the budget on hopes that a strong economy can delay tough spending decisions. Just a few bad revenue assumptions or an inability to rein in spending can derail years of hard work. Unexpected midyear cuts can also be highly disruptive and erode trust with Chicagoans. 🔸Stand on your own: Pandemic aid supercharged Chicago’s financial recovery, but now is the time for the city to prove that it is able to maintain financial stability on its own. With the current dysfunction in Washington and the state’s own deficits, additional help will be unlikely. 🔸Build a coalition: Mayor Johnson may have won by being an outsider, but now he must build a coalition within the system to govern effectively. Finding solutions to the city’s fiscal problems will require cooperation from all stakeholders regardless of who they voted for. Every politician wants to leave a legacy. We hope Mayor Johnson’s will be one of fiscal stewardship during a time of uncertainty. Read more here: https://hubs.la/Q02xyt480

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Kroger-Albertsons Companies Merger Update: I'm pleased the Editorial Board of the Chicago Sun-Times chose to publish my commentary piece as the lead in today's paper in time for the Democratic National Committee Chicago Presidential Convention with delegates from every state. My commentary is titled: "Customers, union workers will lose if Kroger-Albertsons merger gets blocked" Nixing the merger would only make Walmart stronger, a grocery consultant writes. Other readers worry about police being heavy-handed with peaceful protesters outside the DNC and our two-party political system. “Bigger is better” is not a popular slogan these days. The constant drumbeat from politicians and the media equates being big with hurting the U.S. consumer. That limited thinking casts a cloud over the proposed Kroger-Albertsons Merger. It ignores the elephant in the room, Walmart, which controls the top tier of the grocery market, and it could cost consumers and harm union labor. Walmart has a supersized market share. Kroger comes in at a distant second, followed by Costco Wholesale & Albertsons, but Kroger and Albertsons are unique in the sector. Only they are union employers. To compete with the Walmart behemoth, the proposed merger will allow the combined company to pass on pricing benefits while securing union jobs. Federal Trade Commission is challenging the merger, joined by Illinois, several other states, and the District of Columbia, claiming it will eliminate competition, raise grocery prices and harm workers. Yet Kroger pledges investing $500M to lower prices, $1.3B to enhance the customer experience, and $1B to continue raising wages and benefits. Kroger is on the record with a commitment not to close any stores, distribution centers or manufacturing facilities, or lay off any frontline associates. But how can the public be sure Kroger will live up to its promises? Look at Kroger’s past performance. Since 2018 {sic: 2002}, the company has reduced its margins by more than $5 billion in a continuing effort to provide high-quality groceries at affordable prices while adding more than 110,000 union jobs. To address the FTC’s concerns, Kroger-Albertsons will divest 579 stores to C&S Wholesale Grocers and ensure C&S operates the divested stores competitively. For decades I have provided consultation services for virtually all the major retailers in the U.S., including Kroger, and currently one of the largest labor local unions. Should this merger be blocked, the real losers will be consumers and union workers. Albertsons will likely remain for sale. At that point, its majority-owned private equity group could sell it off in pieces, with thousands of union jobs lost and the future of stores in question. In that scenario, the only winner is Walmart. Surely it is worth urging politicians and the public to rise above the negative echo chamber that surrounds the merger and take a serious second look. Burt Flickinger III, CEO, Strategic Resource Group

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Interesting story coming out of Illinois. Kewanee City Manager Gary Bradley is exploring a partnership with Placer.ai to leverage cell phone data for economic development purposes and other benefits. Bradley describes himself as "an entrepreneurial-minded executive" and I am curious to see where this collaboration may go if the governing body approves the agreement. Placer bills itself as "the most advanced foot traffic analytics platform for anyone with a stake in the physical world." You can read more about this story here: https://lnkd.in/evsJ2FmG --------- Don't miss my interview with social media guru Sam Toles of CiviSocial on this week's edition of the City Manager Unfiltered Podcast. Odds are -- your city is doing social media wrong. He shares his philosophical approach to "storytelling" so that you can develop citizen boosters who will drown out the trolls and haters. You can listen to Part 1 here: https://lnkd.in/eSUWeai4

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