Happy Birthday to us!

Zócalo Public Square turns eight years old this month, and to celebrate the occasion we’d like to thank you for all your support and fill you in on where we are and where we’re heading.

We’re building out our online presence and have brought on some top-notch talent to do it.

Andrés Martinez, former editorial page editor of the Los Angeles Times, is now Zócalo’s editorial director. T.A. Frank, who has survived stints at The New Republic and The Washington Monthly, joins us as ideas editor. The inimitable Joe Mathews, author and former political reporter for the L.A. Times, is our new California editor. Megan Greenwell, former Washington Post reporter, is our managing editor.

Since April 2003, Zócalo has been bringing you free, high-quality, intellectual programming, presenting more than 250 events and 500 speakers at every major cultural venue around Los Angeles and beyond. We’re particularly proud to have attracted the most diverse audience of any civic forum in the United States.

Two years ago, we launched our online presence, which included full write-ups of all our events, as well as book reviews and interviews.

Over the past several months, our expanded editorial team has been launching new features like Nexus, our Monday ideas essay; Where I Go, musings on the places where we find connection to people and landscape; and The Voyage Home, stories about returning to our origins, wherever and whenever they might be.

Today, we’re pleased to launch Drinks With …, a feature that allows Zócalo to take a refreshing break with intriguing personalities.

Our online strategy is driven by our original mission of connecting people to ideas and to each other. Our virtual zócalo strives to capture the same sense of community and connectedness that you’ve long enjoyed at our live events. Please keep an eye out for more innovations in the months ahead.

We couldn’t have survived these eight years without your involvement and support. In that spirit, as we move forward, we welcome any and all ideas, suggestions and pitches.

And thanks again.

Gregory Rodriguez
Executive Director, Zócalo Public Square

*Photo by Aaron Salcido