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When Executive Director Ken Jokisch and Secretary Alexis LaRocca stepped into leadership roles with the Downtown Sarasota Alliance (DSA) in June 2025, their main goal was to make where they live and work in an even better and more connected place.
A 501(c)(3) nonprofit, the DSA has a mission to provide a forum and build a community or “alliance” among the residents, businesses and government entities of the downtown Sarasota Districts.
“Community involvement is something that’s important to us,” LaRocca said.
The two had been active members of the DSA for several years and took on their current roles to prevent the nearly 20-year-old organization from closing.
“It’s been here before us, and I don’t think we should be the ones that let it disappear, especially when we do so many amazing things.” Jokisch said.
During their first six months in leadership, Jokisch and LaRocca implemented two new programs that reflect their passion for their community: a back-to-school supply drive and a road cleanup initiative through Keep Sarasota County Beautiful.
“We held our first back-to-school drive in July, and we’re planning to make it an annual event,” LaRocca said.
DSA member businesses placed drop-off boxes inside their offices, shops and restaurants to collect school supplies for Booker Elementary School’s teacher closet with the help of the United Methodist Church downtown.
“Our members rallied in a big way,” LaRocca said. “The volume of supplies we collected speaks to how committed this community is to backing real, local impact.”
DSA also adopted Ringling Boulevard in 2025.
“We pick up trash on the second Saturday of each month and we encourage members and businesses downtown to participate,” Jokisch said.
It’s been so popular, they’re thinking of expanding the program to include more than 12 cleanups per year.
“The DSA already had its pillars and what they did, but to be able to include those two community engagement initiatives, I’m very proud of that, and I hope that they’ll outlast our leadership,” Jokisch said.
Besides these two new community initiatives, the DSA hosts monthly networking events, publishes the Downtown Sarasota City Guide, and manages the Streetlight Banner Pole Program.
Members of the DSA can include residents, business owners and government officials in the downtown area. Jokisch and LaRocca invite anyone affiliated with downtown Sarasota to attend their free networking events, get involved in their community initiatives, become a member and even join the board.
“We want everybody to join,” Jokisch said. “There’s something for everyone to do, and we’ve made it easy for people to get involved”
To learn more about the Downtown Sarasota Alliance, sign up for their newsletters at DsaSarasota.com and follow them on social media at @DowntownSarasotaAlliance.
“Our goal is to make sure that everyone feels there’s a place for them and that they’ve made a difference,” LaRocca said.