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Catalyzing worker co-ops & the solidarity economy

Economic Justice

Citations

Ajowa Nzinga Ifateyo (2014).  Black Co-ops Were A Method of Economic Survival:  An Interview with Professor Jessica Gordon Nembhard.  Grassroots Economic Organizing (GEO).  https://geo.coop/story/black-co-ops-were-method-economic-survival

February 3, 2025

Inflation Poses Unique Challenges for Worker Co-ops

Whereas traditional firms can simply lay off or decrease the hours of workers, those sorts of options aren’t really available for a lot of worker co-ops.

January 13, 2025

New Co-op Financial Association for Southern Small Farmers

Focused on 12 Southeastern states, the new institution will offer low-interest loans and technical support to help farmers, landowners, cooperatives, and ag-based businesses start and grow operations.

Citations

Mari Nishitani (2025).  Arab Street Corner Bakery Challenges Inequality with Cooperation.  Grassroots Economic Organizing (GEO).  https://geo.coop/articles/arab-street-corner-bakery-challenges-inequality-cooperation

January 9, 2025

Arab Street Corner Bakery Challenges Inequality with Cooperation

Reem’s California is a worker-owned restaurant. It is democratically run by local workers. Using worker-ownership, the restaurant challenges the long-standing inequality and violence prevalent in the restaurant industry, and provides an empowering and transforming workplace for those who have faced the most barriers–people of color, queer, formerly incarcerated folks, and undocumented individuals.

Citations

Malikia Johnson (2024).  The Commons Economy Reloaded:  A Timeless Response to Devastating Moments Like These.  Grassroots Economic Organizing (GEO).  https://geo.coop/articles/commons-economy-reloaded

December 5, 2024

The Commons Economy Reloaded

The Commons are a set of resources and places that are accessible to all members of society (parks, libraries, air). When we say 'the commons' we are referring to things and places that are held collectively, not owned privately.
 

Citations

Malikia Johnson (2024).  I Got 5 On It: Co-op Rhody Turns Community Proverbs into a Cannabis-Based Business Model.  Grassroots Economic Organizing (GEO).  https://geo.coop/articles/i-got-5-it-co-op-rhody-turns-community-proverbs-cannabis-based-business-model

October 31, 2024

I Got 5 On It: Co-op Rhody Turns Community Proverbs into a Cannabis-Based Business Model

In 2022 Rhode Island passed the Rhode Island Cannabis Act. This made cannabis legal for adult use and mandated that a cannabis retailer license will be awarded to one social equity applicant and one worker cooperative per zone. There will be four licenses per geographic zone which means that half of the licenses are meant to create racial and economic justice within the cannabis industry in Rhode Island. A total of 12 licenses are specifically reserved for social equity applicants and worker cooperatives.

October 28, 2024

Community Ownership and Racial Justice in the Cannabis Industry

In this video, our panel of experts in the cooperative cannabis industry discuss challenges and opportunities to expand ownership and give reparations to those impacted by the War on Drugs.

October 24, 2024

Clark Arrington’s Legacy

In his 50-year career as a lawyer full of foundational work for worker cooperatives, agricultural cooperatives and democratic ownership, Arrington helped Southern black farmers’ agricultural cooperatives save their lands, developed a community economic development program in Tanzania and later became involved in the African Development Bank, supported a black construction workers in Los Angeles (APR Masonry Arts), generated capital for U.S. worker cooperative startups, and advised co-op loan funds.

September 9, 2024

Staying Rooted: Community Focused Economic Models, Cooperative Housing, & the New Economy Coalition

Today we’re visiting community-rooted enterprises where people are rethinking power and participation in their lives. Collective housing and cultural co-ops, land trusts and community banks are providing fundamental shifts in our workplaces, living spaces, and economic understanding of local communities.

Citations

GEO Collective (2024).  The US Worker Cooperative Movement Turns 20:  Where do we go from here?.  Grassroots Economic Organizing (GEO).  https://geo.coop/articles/us-worker-cooperative-movement-turns-20

May 24, 2024

The US Worker Cooperative Movement Turns 20

GEO is kicking off a special collection in honor of the 20th Anniversary of the founding of the US Federation of Worker Cooperatives.