Downtown Champion Kickoff

Downtown Lincoln Association Launches Downtown Champions Program, Names Randy Hawthorne as Vice President of Community Engagement

LINCOLN, NEB — The Downtown Lincoln Association (DLA) is launching Downtown Champions, a new community for anyone who loves, works or plays in downtown Lincoln. The program offers insider access to behind-the-scenes tours, pop-up activities, networking opportunities and a front-row seat to everything happening in the neighborhood.

Downtown Champions is open to residents, workers and anyone with a passion for the neighborhood. Members can expect exclusive events, a monthly newsletter, leadership and volunteer opportunities and yes, a free t-shirt.

The program kicks off on May 14 with an event at MusicBox (1330 N St.), where the group will learn about Project O Street plans. Additional upcoming events include a sneak peek at South Haymarket Park, a Saro Cider Tour and behind the scenes at the Lied Center for Performing Arts, prior to a Jazz in June event.

"Beyond the Downtown Champions, we’re working on several projects to activate downtown and bring people together,” said Hawthorne. “We want everyone to feel like it’s their neighborhood.”

Leading the initiative is Randy Hawthorne, who recently joined the DLA as Vice President of Community Engagement. Hawthorne, a longtime downtown Lincoln resident and community connector, brings a passion for building multi-generational communities and placemaking.

"Randy just gets people. He knows how to bring them together and get them fired up about community," said Todd Ogden, president and CEO of the Downtown Lincoln Association. "And that's exactly the energy we want driving this program."

Hawthorne knows downtown. As a longtime resident, he also started the Foundry, a coworking space for nonprofits in the heart of downtown. Additionally, he’s volunteered for numerous organizations and served on a number of boards including Rotary 14, Leadership Lincoln, Cause Collective, Lied Center for Performing Arts, Sheldon Art Association and Lincoln Community Playhouse.

Additionally, Hawthorne serves as the Liaison for Arts and Culture for the City of Lincoln, where he helps bring the creative community together.

To learn more about Downtown Champions or to sign up, visit downtownchampion.org.