Coastal Conversations

Shane Phillips, the author of The Affordable City, shares his multi-pronged approach that tackles the Three S's of housing Supply, Stability, and Subsidies with the LIVE audience at Coastal Conversations on August 30th, 2022 in Mobile, Alabama. Shane Phillips manages the UCLA Lewis Center Housing Initiative, where he develops research, policy analysis, and educational materials to improve the public's understanding of the causes of and solutions to America's housing challenges. He co-hosts the UCLA Housing Voice Podcast which translates emerging academic research into plain, jargon-free language, and previously taught as an adjunct instructor at USC and worked as policy director for Central City Association, a civic and business advocacy organization in downtown LA. Shane has written for the Los Angeles Times, the San Francisco Chronicle, the Atlantic, and other local and national outlets, and also writes at his blog, Better Institutions (betterinstitutions.com). He received his bachelor's degree in biochemistry from the University of Washington and masters degrees in urban planning and public administration from the University of Southern California. Watch Shane Phillips - The Affordable City Here >>> What Is Coastal Conversations Coastal Conversations is a program of Coastal Alabama Partnership and is a platform for citizens to engage with experts who will provide leading edge information and share big ideas. Our goal is to expand awareness of issues, to increase knowledge of best practices and to inspire positive change.   For more details and to confirm your spot, visit CoastalCon.org, our event page on Facebook and Eventbrite, or contact the team at [email protected].

Dr. Cedric Alexander is one of America's leading voices on modern policing. On this Coastal Conversation episode, he shares his insights, analysis, and the ideas of others regarding how police training needs to change, how officers can connect closer to all aspects of the community, and the future of law enforcement. More About Dr. Cedric AlexanderDr. Cedric Alexander is a clinical psychologist and a public safety executive who has served at all levels of government. He is a law enforcement analyst who has appeared on MSNBC's "Morning Joe," "CBS Evening News," "ABC World News with Diane Sawyer," and "NBC Nightly News." Alexander also authored "The New Guardians: Policing in America's Communities for the 21st Century" and numerous opinion editorials for CNN and The Washington Post. Author of "The New Guardians: Policing In America's Communities for the 21st Century." He is a Pensacola, Florida native and appeared at CivicCon 2020 to discuss police reform and social justice. This Coastal Conversation was recorded LIVE on April 19th, 2022 at the MacQueen Alumni Center on the University of South Alabama in Mobile, Alabama. Watch Dr. Cedric Alexander's Full Coastal Conversation For more details and to confirm your spot, visit CoastalCon.org, our event page on Facebook and Eventbrite, or contact the team at [email protected].

The Atlanta Beltline Project is a sustainable redevelopment project that will ultimately connect 45 intown neighborhoods via a 22-mile loop of multi-use trails, modern streetcar, and parks – all based on railroad corridors that formerly encircled Atlanta, Ga. When completed, it will provide first and last-mile connectivity for regional transportation initiatives and put Atlanta on a path to 21st-century economic growth and sustainability. President & CEO of Atlanta BeltLine, Inc., Clyde Higgs, gives the Coastal Conversations audience an update on this incredible project. Plus, he shares the lessons learned during the planning and building process and city planning ideas that other cities could incorporate from their early success and outcomes. Watch The Full Video:Coastal Conversations on YouTubeCoastal Conversations on Facebook  This Coastal Conversation was recorded LIVE on March 15. 2022 at Bernheim Hall of the Ben May Library in Mobile, Alabama. Event Sponsor: VOLKERT ////////////// More About Coastal Conversations The goal of Coastal Conversations is to introduce transformative ideas and then work with local partners to implement the ideas into our community. If you are interested in partnering with us, please contact us at [email protected].

Recent headlines and conversations between leaders throughout our region often highlight the drain of young people from our area and the need to attract talented professionals into our region. This Coastal Conversation installment addresses young professionals' concerns and discusses ways our community can work together to develop the assets and create the quality of life that attracts young people to move to and stay in our communities. Watch The VIdeo:Coastal Conversations on YouTube Coastal Conversations on Facebook  Cam Marston of Generational Insights moderates this panel. Cam Marston is the leading expert and speaker on the impact of generational change and its effect on the workplace and the marketplace. As an author, columnist, blogger, and lecturer, he imparts a clear understanding of how generational demographics are changing the landscape of business. Panelists of Young Professionals Include: Meg Fowler - Director of the History Museum of Mobile Kim Garrett - Director, Victory Health Partners Portia Green - Principal, Prichard Preparatory School Terrance Smith - Director, Office of Strategic Initiatives, City of Mobile This Coastal Conversation event was recorded live on Tuesday, February 15, 2022, at Byrne Hall on the Springhill College Campus. ////////////// More About Coastal Conversations The goal of Coastal Conversations is to introduce transformative ideas and then work with local partners to implement the ideas into our community. If you are interested in partnering with us, please contact us at [email protected].

On this Coastal Conversation, Tom Murphy, former mayor of Pittsburgh transformed his community when faced with certain adversity. Mayor Murphy offers experience, advice and pathways for any community looking to grow and prosper. In his three terms as mayor of Pittsburgh, from January 1994 through December 2005, Murphy initiated a public/private partnership strategy that leveraged more than $4.5 billion in economic development in the city. Murphy led efforts to secure and oversee $1 billion in funding for the development of two professional sports facilities, and a new convention center that is the largest certified green building in the United States. Plus, he developed strategic partnerships to transform more than 1,000 acres of abandoned industrial properties into new commercial, residential, retail, and public uses, and he oversaw the development of more than 25 miles of new riverfront trails and parks. Utilizing his extensive experience in urban revitalization—what drives investment, what ensures long-lasting commitment—Mayor Murphy will share his experience as well as highlight examples of cities that have transformed themselves by developing creative solutions to challenging problems.   Resources: Watch Coastal Conversations on YouTube  Watch Coastal Conversations on Facebook    More About Coastal Conversations The goal of Coastal Conversations is to introduce transformative ideas and then work with local partners to implement the ideas into our community. If you are interested in partnering with us, please contact us at [email protected].

On this Coastal Conversation, we will discuss how our community can address the issue of health disparities and what is needed to solve this problem. This issue affects everyone in our community and will take all of us coming together to solve it. Our experts will define what is meant by "health disparities," why these disparities exist, and propose ways to address the root of this problem and find real-world and achievable solutions. Our Expert Panel : Moderator:  Cynthia Tucker, Pulitzer-Prize Journalist Panelists: Dr. Errol Crook, USA Center for Healthy Communities Rep. Anthony Daniels Quin Hilyer, Journalist   Resources: Watch Coastal Conversations on YouTube  Watch Coastal Conversations on Facebook    More About Coastal Conversations The goal of Coastal Conversations is to introduce transformative ideas and then work with local partners to implement the ideas into our community. If you are interested in partnering with us, please contact us at [email protected].

Most agree traffic in coastal Alabama is a problem, and we need a bridge. How do we get an I-10 Mobile Bayway bridge built that works for our community first? Hear from the experts who have been developing this project for years. From engineers to planners to environmentalists, team members developing a plan for the bridge answer your questions and provide insight into the process. Questions and Discussions:  Who's going to pay for the bridge? Who will build it? Who is responsible? Who will benefit? When will it get built? How long will it take? How do we protect the community and the environment? Featured Speakers: Moderator: Jimmy Shumock, Local Project Coordinator Panelists: Matt Ericksen, Alabama Dept. of Transportation (ALDOT) Kevin Harrison, South Alabama Regional Planning Commission (SARPC) Missi Shumer, Shumer Consulting LL More About Coastal Conversations The goal of Coastal Conversations is to introduce transformative ideas and then work with local partners to implement the ideas into our community. If you are interested in partnering with us, please contact us at [email protected].  

Before ecotourism was even a "word," Costas Christ, a student at Harvard University, began to ponder a different model for tourism – one in which the travel industry would help protect nature, preserve cultural heritage and directly support local community development. He would later introduce these same principles into the global travel industry, helping to establish sustainable tourism based on three key pillars: Environmentally-friendly practices; Protection of natural and cultural heritage, and Social and economic benefits for local people. On this Coastal Conversation, Costas Christ shares his thoughts and vision for sustainable tourism and how Coastal Alabama can implement his principles for future growth and sustainable tourism development. Resources: Watch The Full Conversation >>> The Transformation of Travel with Costas Christ Costas Christ - Beyond Green Travel More About Coastal Conversations The goal of Coastal Conversations is to introduce transformative ideas and then work with local partners to implement the ideas into our community. If you are interested in partnering with us, please contact us at [email protected].

On this episode, you will learn about The Coastal Dashboard created by Coastal Conversations. This dashboard is a signature project of Coastal Conversations. It provides an in-depth look into 20+ metrics that define our community's performance and indicates areas that need improvement and more focus. The Coastal Dashboard is available to the public and will be updated as new information is available. The Coastal Dashboard was produced in partnership with the University of South Alabama's SABRE (South Alabama Center for Business Analytics, Real Estate and Economic Development) and Dr. Reid Cummings and Jana Stupavsky. Resources See the full Coast Dashboard Watch the recorded LIVE Coastal Dashboard Presentation More About Coastal Conversations The goal of Coastal Conversations is to introduce transformative ideas and then work with local partners to implement the ideas into our community. If you are interested in partnering with us, please contact us at [email protected].  

On this episode, you will hear the full presentation of the Coastal Conversations Community Survey by researcher Kevin Akins with the ALG Group, released April 29, 2021. This survey reveals that Coastal Alabama residents are generally satisfied with their quality of life and most aspects of living in Baldwin and Mobile Counties, but many groups have pressure points. Key Takeaways - Across Mobile and Baldwin counties, traffic/transportation and availability of affordable housing are sore spots, as well as the availability of high-quality jobs. - In Mobile County, public safety is more pressing. The economy, race relations, and public schools also receive lower marks – much of which can be attributed to racial divides within Mobile County. - In Baldwin County residents are more pleased with their quality of life, but they also show more concern about water quality in the Bay. - There are concerns about younger residents' opportunities and retention. These younger residents have more negative opinions on the job market and cultural opportunities, and many admit they've considered leaving the region. Resources Click here to download and review the full presentation by researcher Kevin Akins with ALG Group. Kevin Akins More About Coastal Conversations The goal of Coastal Conversations is to introduce transformative ideas and then work with local partners to implement the ideas into our community. If you are interested in partnering with us, please contact us at [email protected].