Working together to grow the cannabis industry
Barbara Askins
Barbara Askins is an experienced President with a demonstrated history of working in the government administration industry. She is a strong business development professional. Askins fields of specialization include extensive work in the field of improving cities as a public involvement specialist on transportation, environmental and facility planning projects, working on major projects in several cities that included reconstruction of highways and city streets, upgrading rail and bus systems, improving sewage-treatment facilities, creative public spaces, and sports and convention centers.
Askins is skilled in Nonprofit Organizations, Grassroots Organizing, Urban Planning, Government, and Media Relations. Beginning in 1993, her Economic Development experience includes successfully creating the first and only business improvement district (BID) on 125th Street in the Harlem community – a district that seeks to Expand sustainable economic activity including the creation or expansion of businesses development of jobs, maximize the ability of local residents to benefit, and improve the quality of life in the community. Under her leadership, the 125th Street BID has received local, state, national and international recognition. She is guiding the development of result-oriented strategies involving retail plans, re-zoning for future growth, cultural sustainability, and evaluating the interplay between science, technology and businesses to create sustainable urban solutions to transform areas that have been traditionally difficult to organize, such as 125th Street, into a healthier commercial district. She is implementing a prioritized streetscape improvement program through phased public development that is consistent with the private sector building redevelopment to help build 125th Street’s identity and link major sites involving partnerships with local artists and art programs to help provide culturally sensitive design elements to the street. She proactively creates conditions and strategic partnerships for more events and programs to take place involving active coordination to ensure the events are geared to the target markets and then to work with the existing businesses so that they can encourage more events to take place and provide assistance in terms of liaison with the City, property owners, businesses, academia, residents, arts and culture organizations. She was responsible for bringing into fruition the first cultural bonus incentive in NYC to be used to shape the future of 125th Street as a cultural destination.
Askins has been engaged in Peer-to-Peer sharing with leaders in other cities in the US and other leaders in Japan, Canada, China, Serbia, Italy, Sweden, London, and Italy, who are developing their commercial districts. Askins is an adjunct professor at Columbia University School of International Public Administration teaching a course titled “Harlem Community Engagement Practicum. This course explores the Harlem community by immersing students in conversation with community members that represent diverse organizations and interests. It examines challenges, diversity and inclusiveness, opportunities, and preserving the culture of a neighborhood.
Askins has received numerous awards and honors in recognition of her work from public, private, and government. She had served as Chair of Manhattan Community Board #10 and the International Downtown Association. She is currently on the Board of Directors for the NYC BID Managers Association, Harlem Commonwealth Council, and CUNY School of Public Health Dean’s Advisory Board.