The Champions Blog

Stay up to date with the transformative stories from Knight Emerging City Champions, a program supporting young leaders from the U.S. to drive impactful change in their communities through innovative projects.

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Community ConnectionCreative ExpressionDowntown & Neighborhood Revitalization

Electric Beginnings & Nurturing Resilience: 10 Years of Bold Ideas with Knight Emerging City Champions

February 11, 2026

Champions Updates

20 Knight Emerging City Champions Selected for 2025-2026 Fellowship Program

July 30, 2025

Civic TechCommunity ConnectionCreative ExpressionLocal ResilienePublic Spaces

The Knight Emerging City Champions Program Is Back and Now Accepting Applications for 2025

April 16, 2025

Downtown & Neighborhood RevitalizationEconomic OpportunityPublic Spaces

Alignment Festival Taylor Nickens Philadelphia, PA

March 11, 2025

Downtown & Neighborhood RevitalizationEconomic OpportunityPublic Spaces

The Passion Project Shamere Duncan Detroit, MI

March 11, 2025

Downtown & Neighborhood RevitalizationEconomic OpportunityPublic Spaces

Behind the Menu Rachel Whinnery Akron, OH

March 11, 2025

Downtown & Neighborhood RevitalizationEconomic OpportunityPublic Spaces

Macon Para Todos Laura Gómez Macon, GA

March 11, 2025

Downtown & Neighborhood RevitalizationEconomic OpportunityPublic Spaces

The Back Room Jordan Brasswell Charlotte, NC

March 11, 2025

Downtown & Neighborhood RevitalizationEconomic OpportunityPublic Spaces

Macon Playgrounds More Accessible Jonathan Wetherbee Macon, GA

March 11, 2025

Downtown & Neighborhood RevitalizationEconomic OpportunityPublic Spaces

Mush St. Paul Jenessa Carlisle St. Paul, MN

March 11, 2025

Downtown & Neighborhood RevitalizationEconomic OpportunityPublic Spaces

Open Space Sandbox Hayley Oleksiak Philadelphia, PA

March 11, 2025

Downtown & Neighborhood RevitalizationEconomic OpportunityPublic Spaces

West Side Connect Marlin Wilson Charlotte, NC

March 11, 2025

Downtown & Neighborhood RevitalizationEconomic OpportunityPublic Spaces

Detroit Horse Power David Silver Detroit, MI

March 11, 2025

Downtown & Neighborhood RevitalizationEconomic OpportunityPublic Spaces

The Connected Community Initiative Chloe Mshana Philadelphia, PA

March 11, 2025

Downtown & Neighborhood RevitalizationEconomic OpportunityPublic Spaces

Creative Liberty Carman Tyra San José, CA

March 11, 2025

Downtown & Neighborhood RevitalizationEconomic OpportunityPublic Spaces

Project Safe Space Erica Banks Akron, OH

March 11, 2025

Downtown & Neighborhood RevitalizationEconomic OpportunityPublic Spaces

City Sprouts Ayanna-Grace King Detroit, MI

March 11, 2025

Dutch Boys Wafels Dries Darrow Miami Beach, FL

March 11, 2025