How can we transform our communities when we adopt a similar approach?

Lanrick Bennett Jr. shares how his Second City training has shaped his community work, from building active transportation to better urban design to placemaking at 8 80 Cities and Artscape.

Lanrick Bennett Jr is currently the Executive Director of The Laneway Project. His previous work has kept him within the active transportation, urban design, and placemaking sphere including stints at Toronto based 8 80 Cities and Artscape. Though he credits much of his success in city building from his time working at The Second City, refining his understanding and implementation of the improv art of Yes, And…!

His city advocacy work started while traveling with his then 5 year old son to all 100 libraries by public transit nick-naming it #JacksLibraryTour. He gives back locally as the Community Advisory to the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council at UofT, he is a board member with TD Friends of the Environment Foundation and also monitors the progress and activity of affordable housing through the volunteer based HousingNowTO initiative.

Finally in January 2022, Lanrick was appointed Toronto’s first Bicycle Mayor coupled with his volunteer time with The Bike Brigade, delivering food to individuals and families in need.

More knowledge sharing from the Community Symposium

The Future of Food – Barbara Schwartzentruber

The County Ambassador – Eleanor R. Cook

The Power of Human Connection – Pete Bombaci