Bloomberg Cities’ Post

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Head of Government Innovation Programs, Bloomberg Philanthropies

Our political landscape changed on Nov. 5. Many of our citizens feel disoriented, untethered. Others, to be sure, feel empowered. We need to find our balance. A place to start – away from the convulsions of national politics – is in our cities. America’s urban centers, suburbs, towns, and villages are where the local hand of government touches and affects daily lives. Mayors are less ideological, less partisan than their political brethren on the national stage. Their issues – safe streets, disaster response, affordable housing – require innovation, not party labels. Our institutions – governmental and civic – must continue to nurture that spirit. We know we will have a new administration on Jan. 21. New presidents have new agendas. As a nation, we will face multiple distractions. But we must continue to strengthen the ability of cities to chart their own course. Our national politics can be loud, even frightening. But in our neighborhoods, on our local streets, and through our city halls, we can continue to find common purpose. Mayors don’t give up in divided times; they hunker down and deliver.

Allison Allen

Guiding Leaders Through Complexity | Transforming Executive Leadership | Talent Strategy & AI Advocate | Podcast Co-Host | Executive Search | Fractional People Executive | Founder & Strategic Advisor | Board Member

2w

This resonates deeply. As we navigate the next four years, our cities and local communities offer a powerful path forward. It's inspiring to see how mayors focus on tangible solutions - affordable housing, public safety, local infrastructure - over partisan rhetoric. Your reminder that progress happens block by block, neighborhood by neighborhood, gives me hope.

Heidi Therese Dangelmaier

I run a global all-girl think tank driving the next wave of Intelligence, Innovation, technology and consumer growth. 0. 12.24 THE ASCENT BEGINS.

2w

James Anderson in time we will all realize we were on the wrong path.. our metrics were wrong.. our anger misdirected Nature stepped in, and the true lesson is this: the real female liberation movement hasn’t happened yet, and it’s time we acknowledge that. It won’t be about being ‘equal’ to men but about embracing our true nature. When we do, it will ignite a scientific revolution that elevates humanity, taking us to the next level and transcending limits faster than we ever imagined. Right now, we are all living far below our potential as a species.

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Jorge G Coelho

Transforming Cities: Senior Smart Cities Advisor and Visiting Assistant Professor at Universidade do Algarve

2w

Totally agree. That’s the place where divisions just doesn’t make sense. It’s where collective futures become tangible, independently of individual beliefs or preferences.

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Lisa Bennett

I help good people do hard things in tough times | Speaker. Mission-driven leader. Co-author of Ecoliterate with EQ expert Daniel Goleman. Editor of Women Amplified. Forthcoming: Ordinary Heroism in Extraordinary Times.

2w

Appreciate this. A place to start is essential to staying tethered to doing the good work.

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Bradford Cross

CEO @twolions Partner @pronomos

2w

Amen, cities are where we all live and work!

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The inspiration I needed. 

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Lisa Abeyta

Passionate about cities and improving the lives of people who live in them.

2w

Thank you for this, James. As someone who is now spending my time working to build up the resilience and sustainability of our city, I am so grateful that the work that I and my colleagues do will continue to bring impact and serve to better our community- whatever the national political climate may be.

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