SBAN Examining Lessons Learned in the Fight Against Gentrification in Puerto Rico Town During Parade & Fiestas Patronales 

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By Ivis García 

The Small Business Advocacy Network (SBAN) is a national organization of leaders working to create a better environment for small business owners. Members are policymakers, nonprofit advocates, technical assistance providers, scholars, government agency leaders, and small business owners. It’s a network that supports one another in partners’ efforts to promote innovation, develop social capital, and create a more equitable small business playing field. 

The Puerto Rican Cultural Center was one of 11 organizations to conduct case studies on small business anti-displacement efforts in gentrifying neighborhoods. Over the last year, these awardees have been engaged with one another, receive support from SBAN experts, and present their work at SBAN events. 

In addition, SBAN chose PRCC in Chicago as one of three site visits along with two other organizations in Miami, and Los Angeles to learn about existing anti-displacement efforts and explore diverse BIPOC and immigrant communities. The site visits will feature a range of strategies, such as commercial property ownership and technical assistance programs. The Chicago visit will coincide with the annual Fiestas Patronales Puertorriqueñas in Humboldt Park coming up in June. 

Attendees will go on walking tours of Puerto Rico Town and participate in panel discussions with local business owners, scholars, community leaders, and politicians. These discussions will focus on the history of gentrification in the area, the potential economic benefits of a cultural district designation, and how similar policies could be implemented in other communities. Through the site visits, SBAN seeks to support awardees’ final case study reports and inform allied work being done by its network of members.