by Max Marbut
Staff Writer
Diantha Grant, regional director of the Alzheimer’s Association, is the new president of the Downtown Council of the Chamber of Commerce.
“It’s going to be a busy year,” she said. “I believe I’m the first nonprofit president. I’ve been moving up the ladder for three years.”
She said she thinks her background with the association will help her in the year ahead.
“My work brings an enthusiasm for helping other people,” Grant said. “I don’t know how to say no, but I know how to get people to say yes.”
She also has a clear vision of some things she wants the council to accomplish during her term.
“Obviously, one of the interests we have is increasing membership. Our goal is to increase by 5 percent next year,” she said. “We’re going to do some prospecting. The are quite a few Chamber of Commerce members who are not members of area councils. We’re trying to develop a strategy to target the businesspeople downtown, in Riverside and on the Southbank and encourage them to pay the $30 and join the area councils as well.”
She said things are happening downtown and it’s only going to get better.
“I’m excited to see there is going to be another club at the Landing. We have to find ways to energize and bring people downtown. We have the Gator Bowl and now the ACC Championship. We had the Super Bowl. People come down here and they see how much is going on.
“My association had our annual walk on the Northbank Riverwalk this year,” she said. “Half the people there had never been on it. If you have friends visiting from out of town and you’re going out for the evening, come downtown for a change instead of where you’re used to going. The best way to promote downtown is to be there.”
Grant said a project that will continue to grow is the council’s work with A. Philip Randolph Academies of Technology.
“Three years ago, the chamber partnered with the school system to get involved with schools in need,” she said. “We drafted volunteers to go to the school once or twice a month to bring our business experience to the classroom. We had more than 30 people participate last year.”
The council is considering holding a career fair at A. Philip Randolph next year to help students learn how to write resumes and develop interview skills.
“The advisor/advisee program is about character education and life skills for teens,” she said.
Grant’s biggest goal for the council in 2006 is growing Jacksonville’s interest in downtown.
“We want everyone to know that we’re here as an organization through the Chamber of Commerce to help them develop downtown,” she said. “Come to our meetings. Give us ideas and become part of the downtown experience. Everyone is invited to come see what we’re all about.”
The Downtown Council meets on the first and third Fridays of every month at 7:45 a.m. at River City Brewing Company, 835 Museum Circle on the Southbank. Cost is $10 for members and $12 for nonmembers.