Luke Gannon

Nov 22, 2024 | ilsr.org | John Farrell |Stacy Mitchell |Jess Del Fiacco |Luke Gannon

Over the last 50 years, too many of the decisions coming out of Washington have stripped everyday people of their collective agency and power. These choices have gutted local economies and turned self-conscious and self-directing communities into places controlled by far-off boardrooms.

Oct 18, 2024 | ilsr.org | Luke Gannon |Reggie Rucker

Podcast (buildinglocalpower): Play in new window | DownloadThe destruction of Dorr Street in Toledo, Ohio isn’t just a story of physical destruction; it’s about the dismantling of crucial social infrastructure that once allowed residents to communicate, organize, and thrive.

Oct 4, 2024 | ilsr.org | Luke Gannon |Reggie Rucker

Podcast (buildinglocalpower): Play in new window | DownloadToledo’s Dorr Street bears the deep scars of federal policies that stripped away Black economic power and prosperity. Once a thriving center of Black business, Dorr Street was decimated by discriminatory practices that prioritized urban expressways over vibrant communities. In this episode of Building Local Power, Toledo Mayor Wade Kapszukiewicz addresses this destruction and the long-overdue promises of renewal.

Sep 19, 2024 | ilsr.org | Luke Gannon |Reggie Rucker

Podcast (buildinglocalpower): Play in new window | DownloadJohnetta Turner McCollough and her husband, Nelson, ran The Spot, a popular restaurant on Dorr Street, Toledo, that was more than just a business—it was, well, the Spot. Known for its lively late-night gatherings and frog legs The Spot offered a unique space where people came to eat, unwind, and enjoy jazz music after the bars closed.

Sep 5, 2024 | ilsr.org | Luke Gannon |Reggie Rucker

Podcast (buildinglocalpower): Play in new window | DownloadLifelong Toledo resident Doris Greer takes us back to a time when Dorr Street was the heart of Black wealth, culture, and community. Doris vividly recalls the bustling Black-owned businesses, close-knit neighbors, and a deep sense of pride and ownership. But today, that vibrant community has been replaced by empty lots and chain dollar stores, a result of decades of disinvestment, discrimination, and corporate consolidation.