Three Steps to Building a Better Block

All you need to do to drive change in your community and move past stagnant committees and outdated regulation is to stop waiting around. Even if that means painting in your own crosswalks and blackmailing yourselves into action.

In his energetic and fun TEDx talk, Jason says he’s found a simple formula for building a better block:

  1. Show up. Be present.
  2. Give your effort a name. Whatever you do, it needs an identity for people to connect with and feel a part of.
  3. Blackmail yourself: set a date and publish it. Distribute the posters and flyers, even if your project is only 10 percent thought-out.

If you do these three things, Jason has shown, you really can change everything.

 

Home page image: Marettay Maurizio Mori

Previous article
Next article

About the Lead Author

Jason Roberts
Jason Roberts
Jason Roberts is a small business owner, community leader, and founder of The Better Block Project, a national movement that cities around the world are now embracing to help revitalize blighted and under developed neighborhoods. Through The Better Block, Jason has helped revitalize once-bypassed areas in his neighborhood, his city and in 15 cities throughout the United States. Jason also founded the Oak Cliff Transit Authority, and spearheaded the successful effort to land a $23 million federal grant that will fund a streetcar line from downtown Dallas to Oak Cliff. He co-founded Bike Friendly Oak Cliff, a biking initiative that has inspired 8 other bike friendly groups in the DFW area. In 2012 he received a White House Champions of Change award for his work on revitalizing the Dallas streetcar line and The Better Block projects. Image courtesy Oak Cliff Transit Authority

The Latest

Corporate Capture: Can We Find a Way Out?

This article, published originally by Nonprofit Quarterly, from Nonprofit Quarterly Magazine’s summer 2024 issue, “Escaping Corporate Capture.” The aircraft manufacturer Boeing,...

Featured

More Articles Like This