This week’s Bottom-Up Revolution podcast features Mayor Chris Frye, who’s been leading the city of New Castle, Pennsylvania, since January 2020. Before running for mayor, his background wasn’t in politics but in social work and community service. He’s a husband and father of three—and he’s utterly dedicated to helping his city grow stronger. He’s also New Castle’s first black mayor, and a Republican.
New Castle, as you’ll learn from Mayor Frye, is a city going through the same challenges of economic downturn, disinvestment and neglect that so many cities in the Rust Belt and Midwest have encountered during the last several decades.
However, like our guest last week (De’Amon Harges), Mayor Frye is focused on seeing the assets and gifts in his city, not just the problems. He knows that the work of revitalization is not merely about fixing up old buildings or bringing jobs back, but about changing negative perceptions. He wants residents and outsiders to see New Castle, not as a place of blight, poverty, or crime, but as a beautiful city that can thrive and is thriving.
At the end of our conversation, Mayor Frye shares his thoughts for other leaders whose cities may be in a similar economic situation. One piece of advice? “Stay hopeful, and don’t become complacent.”
Christian Gray: Alleviating Neighborhood Poverty at a Root Level
Sara Joy Proppe: Helping Churches Use Placemaking To Connect With the Community
Armando Moritz-Chapelliquen: A Grassroots Community Advocate
Maddy Novich: Not Your Typical Bike Activist!
Deatra Kemp: Helping First-Time Homebuyers Realize Their Dreams
Adam Greenfield and Miriam Schoenfield: Fighting Freeway Widening in Austin
Jessica Peacock: Fighting for a Family-Owned Grocery Store
Jon Jon Wesolowski: Chattanooga Urbanist Society
Jennifer Gaughran: Running the Strong Towns Toastmasters Group
Dustin LaFont: The Largest Community Bike Shop in Louisiana
Alisha Loch: Keeping Norwood, OH, Vibrant for Future Generations
Scott Jones: Building Neighborhood Connections With Acts of Hospitality
Aimee and Cody Frederick: Café Owners and Conversation Leaders
Shelby Wild: Breaking Down Barriers to Local Food
Marques King: Doing Incremental Development in Detroit
Gary Oddi: A Lifelong Educator Advocating for Active Transportation
Barry Greene: A Dad Advocating for Density and Localism
Noah Tang: Working Alongside Local Government
LeVette Fuller: Actively Making a Strong Town
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