The City Centric Podcast: An Interview with Youngstown’s Sharon Letson

Sharon Letson was hired as the first Executive Director of Youngstown Cityscape in 2005. Youngstown Cityscape is a non-profit community development organization dedicated to revitalizing and beautifying the greater downtown Youngstown area.

The mission is strengthening Youngstown’s revitalized urban core that connects downtown, the YSU campus, and adjacent neighborhoods and gateways through strategic partnerships.

Under Sharon’s leadership, Youngstown Cityscape evolved from a group of 20 volunteers to over 800 volunteers maintaining flowerpots and garden beds, supporting community garden organizations, and caring for over 35,000 plants annually.

Youngstown Cityscape has partnered with the Mahoning Valley Historical Society, the County Land Bank, Youngstown State University, and a host of public and private entities on projects that assure the achievement of the mission.

Sharon has served on many boards and community organizations, from ACTION and Community Corrections to the Rotary Club of Youngstown and the Mahoning Commons Association.

In her spare time, Sharon enjoys her family, traveling, knitting, and of course, gardening

This year marks the 26th anniversary of Streetscape Day, a quarter of a century plus of convening volunteers and partners to beautify downtown, the gateways, adjacent neighborhoods, and parks.

Take a listen to how revitalizing Youngstown starts with the fertilization and beautification of the community through gardening.