If you have walked through Lincoln Square lately and noticed how clean the sidewalks look, there is a good chance Ali Dantzler had something to do with it. He is a Bronx native and member of the Lincoln Square BID Clean Team, the crew responsible for keeping the neighborhood’s sidewalks and public spaces clean every day. Block by Block, the contractor hired by the BID and behind the Clean Team, named Ali Employee of the Month for September 2026. It is a recognition that comes as no surprise to anyone who has crossed paths with him on his rounds.
Outside of work, Ali is an avid gamer and a music producer who creates instrumentals as a hobby. His game of choice is Battlefield V, a multiplayer online game he plays on PlayStation 4. When it comes to his work on the Clean Team, Ali brings that same focus and intentionality to every block he covers.
When asked what he loves most about the job, his answer was immediate.
“It’s the people. They’re friendly, the supervisors, the managers, everyone. The people in Lincoln Square say hello, good morning. They ask how I’m doing, and I tell them I’m glad to be here.”
That warmth is mutual. Ali moves through the neighborhood with an easy energy, greeting people as he goes and taking genuine pride in the space he helps maintain. For Ali, the work is not just professional, it’s personal. “Lincoln Square is my community. I like to do this not just for the people, but for me too, just to keep a nice city clean.” He also notes that the job keeps him moving. A self-described fitness enthusiast, Ali jokes that the daily rounds double as cardio, logging plenty of steps each day as he makes his way through the neighborhood.
At the close of our conversation, we asked Ali if he had a message for the people of Lincoln Square. Ali did not need long to think about his message for the neighborhood. “Don’t litter,” he said with a laugh, and then said it two more times for good measure.
The Lincoln Square BID is proud to have Ali on the team, and the neighborhood is better for it.
