The Milk District did not need to be reinvented. Its eclectic businesses, artists, and creative communities had already established a culture of subcultures worth celebrating. As Executive Director, I championed a placekeeping approach to economic development, connecting people, resources, and opportunities to amplify what was already there while giving the community a stronger voice in its future.

Small businesses rarely have the resources to change state policy on their own. Through The Milk District, I helped turn a neighborhood challenge into a collective advocacy effort, advancing legislation that removed regulatory barriers and opened new opportunities for independent restaurants across Orlando.