Lessons on Strengthening Communities from Next City Vanguard | Main Street America
Tres miembros del personal de Main Street America delante de un mural en Marion, Iowa.

Marion, Iowa © Tasha Sams

Acerca de

Trabajamos en colaboración con miles de socios locales y líderes de base de todo el país que comparten nuestro compromiso de fomentar la prosperidad compartida, crear economías resistentes y mejorar la calidad de vida.

Visión general Quiénes somos Cómo trabajamos Colaboraciones de socios Nuestros colaboradores Nuestro equipo Oportunidades de empleo Póngase en contacto con nosotros
Dos miembros de la comunidad de Emporia Kansas posan con un cartel que dice "Soy un Main Streeter"

Emporia, Kansas © Emporia Main Street

Nuestra red

Formadas por pueblos pequeños, comunidades de tamaño medio y distritos comerciales urbanos, las miles de organizaciones, personas, voluntarios y líderes locales que componen Main Street America™ representan la amplia diversidad que hace que este país sea tan singular.

Visión general Programas de coordinación Comunidades de Main Street Impacto colectivo Premios y reconocimientos Marco comunitario de evaluación Únete al movimiento
Dionne Baux y un socio de MSA trabajando en Bronzeville, Chicago.

Chicago, Illinois © Main Street America

Recursos

¿Busca estrategias y herramientas que le ayuden en su trabajo? Sumérgete en el Centro de Recursos de Main Street y explora una amplia gama de recursos, entre los que se incluyen nuestro extenso Centro de Conocimientos, oportunidades de desarrollo profesional, ofertas de servicios sobre el terreno, apoyo a la promoción y mucho más.

Visión general Centro de conocimiento Servicios de campo Relaciones gubernamentales Conferencia Main Street Now Instituto Main Street America Apoyo a las pequeñas empresas Allied Member Services El punto Seguros Main Street Área de miembros
Personas en e-scooters en Waterloo, Iowa

Waterloo, Iowa © Main Street Waterloo

Lo último

Su ventanilla única para conocer las últimas historias, noticias, eventos y oportunidades -incluidas subvenciones y programas de financiación- en Main Street.

Visión general Noticias Eventos y oportunidades Suscríbase a
Mujer y niña en un puesto del festival en Kendall Whittier, Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Kendall Whittier - Tulsa, Oklahoma © Kendall Whittier Main Street

Participa

Únase a nosotros en nuestro trabajo para fomentar la prosperidad compartida, crear economías fuertes y mejorar la calidad de vida en los centros y distritos comerciales de los barrios.

Visión general Únete a nosotros Renueve su afiliación Donar Asóciese con nosotros Oportunidades de empleo
Tres miembros del personal de Main Street America delante de un mural en Marion, Iowa.

Marion, Iowa © Tasha Sams

Acerca de

Trabajamos en colaboración con miles de socios locales y líderes de base de todo el país que comparten nuestro compromiso de fomentar la prosperidad compartida, crear economías resistentes y mejorar la calidad de vida.

Visión general Quiénes somos Cómo trabajamos Colaboraciones de socios Nuestros colaboradores Nuestro equipo Oportunidades de empleo Póngase en contacto con nosotros
Dos miembros de la comunidad de Emporia Kansas posan con un cartel que dice "Soy un Main Streeter"

Emporia, Kansas © Emporia Main Street

Nuestra red

Formadas por pueblos pequeños, comunidades de tamaño medio y distritos comerciales urbanos, las miles de organizaciones, personas, voluntarios y líderes locales que componen Main Street America™ representan la amplia diversidad que hace que este país sea tan singular.

Visión general Programas de coordinación Comunidades de Main Street Impacto colectivo Premios y reconocimientos Marco comunitario de evaluación Únete al movimiento
Dionne Baux y un socio de MSA trabajando en Bronzeville, Chicago.

Chicago, Illinois © Main Street America

Recursos

¿Busca estrategias y herramientas que le ayuden en su trabajo? Sumérgete en el Centro de Recursos de Main Street y explora una amplia gama de recursos, entre los que se incluyen nuestro extenso Centro de Conocimientos, oportunidades de desarrollo profesional, ofertas de servicios sobre el terreno, apoyo a la promoción y mucho más.

Visión general Centro de conocimiento Servicios de campo Relaciones gubernamentales Conferencia Main Street Now Instituto Main Street America Apoyo a las pequeñas empresas Allied Member Services El punto Seguros Main Street Área de miembros
Personas en e-scooters en Waterloo, Iowa

Waterloo, Iowa © Main Street Waterloo

Lo último

Su ventanilla única para conocer las últimas historias, noticias, eventos y oportunidades -incluidas subvenciones y programas de financiación- en Main Street.

Visión general Noticias Eventos y oportunidades Suscríbase a
Mujer y niña en un puesto del festival en Kendall Whittier, Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Kendall Whittier - Tulsa, Oklahoma © Kendall Whittier Main Street

Participa

Únase a nosotros en nuestro trabajo para fomentar la prosperidad compartida, crear economías fuertes y mejorar la calidad de vida en los centros y distritos comerciales de los barrios.

Visión general Únete a nosotros Renueve su afiliación Donar Asóciese con nosotros Oportunidades de empleo
Lisa Mullins Thompson takes a selfie with other participants at the conference

Lisa Mullins Thompson travelled to Lexington, Kentucky, for the Next City Vanguard Conference. © Lisa Mullins Thompson

When I was selected for the 2024 Next City Vanguard Conference in Lexington, Kentucky, I was excited and honored by the opportunity to dive deeper into the work I love — helping communities thrive. The Vanguard program, known for bringing together passionate urban leaders from across the country, is a space where ideas flow freely and actionable solutions are at the forefront. It was a week full of learning, inspiration, and reflections on building stronger, more resilient places where everyone has a role to play.

Main Street America’s work intersects with many themes I encountered during Vanguard — community resilience, leadership, and finding innovative ways to address today’s challenges. The experience reinforced many lessons I’ve learned and introduced new ideas and perspectives that will shape my work moving forward.

People sitting at a table outdoors enjoying a fresh farm to table meal

Participants shared ideas while enjoying dinner at the London Ferrell Community Garden. © Lisa Mullins Thompson

Community Resilience and Adaptability

My Vanguard experience emphasized that resilience is at the heart of every thriving community. Whether it was urban leaders sharing stories about revitalizing neglected spaces or rural communities finding innovative ways to overcome economic challenges, the message was clear: strong communities are built on the ability to adapt.

This theme of adaptability resonated deeply with me, particularly as I work with many small towns that have faced difficult transitions due to economic downturns, shifts in population, or environmental challenges. I heard stories about communities responding to climate change, integrating sustainable practices, and recovering from disasters. These experiences highlighted how important it is for towns and cities alike to be nimble, to plan for the unexpected, and to empower local leaders to respond creatively to change.

The Power of Local Leadership

Another key takeaway from this experience was how essential it is for change to come from within a community. Too often, we think of leadership as something that happens at a top level — decisions made by people far removed from the realities of a place. But real, lasting change happens at the grassroots level, when the people who know their communities personally take the lead.

This focus on local leadership aligns perfectly with what we strive for at Main Street America. We work closely with local leaders who are deeply invested in their communities, helping them gain the tools and resources they need to drive positive change. I was reminded that the most successful initiatives come from those closest to the issues. It reinforced my belief that empowering local voices to drive leadership is critical to long-term success.

Storytelling as a Tool for Connection

This experience also reminded me of the power of storytelling. Time and again, we heard how communities use stories to bridge gaps, celebrate diverse histories, and build a shared sense of identity. This resonated, especially when we visited Berea College and toured the bell hooks archives. The archives preserve the legacy of one of the most influential thinkers of our time, who wrote powerfully about race, gender, and class. What I found so inspiring about this visit was how it exemplified the importance of telling the stories that are often overlooked or marginalized. 

Every town and neighborhood has its own unique story, and those stories are often what binds people together. During Vanguard, I heard countless examples of communities using storytelling to foster pride, build trust, and inspire action. From collecting oral histories to celebrating the contributions of underrepresented groups, storytelling is a powerful way to create a shared vision for the future.

A group of people listens to two presenters sharing information in a bicycle repair shop

Attendees toured Broken Spokes, a nonprofit dedicated to improving bicycle access. © Lisa Mullins Thompson

Collaboration and Connection

One of the most energizing aspects of the Vanguard program was the sense of connection and collaboration that flowed through every conversation. It was a reminder that, no matter how different our communities might seem, we all work toward a common goal — creating places where people can thrive. The 40 Vanguards, hailing from cities and towns across the country, each brought their own experiences and expertise. The collaborative spirit was infectious, and it became clear that the best ideas often emerge when diverse voices come together.

The Rural Urban Exchange (RUX) program exemplified this spirit of collaboration. By bringing together leaders from Kentucky’s rural and urban communities, RUX has helped break down silos and foster meaningful relationships across geographic and cultural divides. It’s a model that could be applied in other places where bridging divides — rural, urban, economic, or cultural — can create stronger, more resilient communities.

Hope and Possibility

Finally, the Vanguard program left me feeling incredibly hopeful. It’s easy to become overwhelmed by our communities’ challenges — economic inequality, climate change, social divisions — but this week in Lexington reminded me that many people are working to create solutions. The energy, creativity, and commitment of the leaders I met reinforced my belief that positive change is possible and already happening.

As I look ahead, I’m excited to take the lessons I learned from the Vanguard program and apply them to my work at Main Street America. From the power of local leadership to the importance of storytelling and collaboration, these themes will guide me as I continue to support small towns and neighborhood commercial districts in their revitalization efforts. The experience reminded me that there is always an opportunity to innovate, adapt, and grow, even in the face of adversity. It reinforced my belief that every community, no matter its size or location, has the potential to be a place where people can thrive.