Building Community Wealth in Community: Start.coop’s #BlackCoopsMatter Peer Circle
This February, Start.coop, is launching the #BlackCoopsMatter Peer Circle. It is a community of practice embedded in the philosophy of our #BlackCoopsMatter initiative that centered around the histories of Black communities as purpose and inspiration for our work.
At Start.coop, we accelerate cooperatively owned businesses to create more equitable distributions of wealth, lift marginalized voices, and unlock ownership for disenfranchised peoples.
Fostering Equity and Empowerment: The Crucial Need for Black Cooperative Founders in Cooperative Entrepreneurship and Community Wealth Building
Cooperative models empower Black founders by providing a platform where collective wisdom, shared resources, and communal support become driving forces. Through cooperatives, Black entrepreneurs cultivate economic self-sufficiency, break the cycle of financial disenfranchisement, and build sustainable community wealth.
In the dynamic realm of entrepreneurship and community wealth building, we must not ignore the imperative of creating inclusive spaces that amplify the voices and contributions of Black cooperative founders. It is not merely about representation; it is about rectifying historical disparities and building a future where economic equity is truly accessible to all.
The rich history of successful Black cooperatives is a testament to the resilience, innovation, and collective spirit within communities that have faced systemic challenges. From mutual aid societies in the 18th century to farmer cooperatives built in the 19th century to the cooperative economics celebrated by W.E.B. Du Bois in the early 20th century to the present day, Black cooperatives have played a pivotal role in addressing economic disparities and fostering self-sufficiency. The history encompasses notable achievements, such as the founding of credit unions, agricultural cooperatives, and consumer cooperatives that have empowered Black individuals and communities.
This legacy is deeply intertwined with the broader history of cooperatives, a global movement dating back to the Rochdale Pioneers in 19th-century England. The cooperative model, characterized by democratic ownership, equitable distribution of profits, and mutual support, has historically provided marginalized communities, including Black populations, with a means of economic empowerment and social progress. Dr. Jessica Gordon Nembhard’s “Collective Courage: A History of African American Cooperative Economic Thought and Practice” traces the roots of cooperative economic endeavors within Black communities, highlighting their historical significance as tools for economic empowerment, resistance against systemic oppression, and the pursuit of social justice. Collective Courage serves as a compelling narrative that not only celebrates the rich legacy of Black cooperative movements but also underscores their ongoing relevance as a powerful strategy for economic liberation and community building.
Community Wealth Building as a Collective Vision
Today, the history of successful Black cooperatives serves as an inspiration and a blueprint for building sustainable, community-driven enterprises that contribute to the broader narrative of cooperative success worldwide. Organizations like the Boston Ujima Project, Cooperation Jackson, BYP100, Parable of the Sower Co-op, and Cooperative Food Empowerment Directive (COFED) are just a few examples of the work being done by and for Black communities.
Black cooperative founders are not just building businesses; they are architects of community wealth. The ripple effect of cooperative ventures extends beyond individual success, creating a network of empowered communities where prosperity is shared, and economic stability becomes a reality.
Take for example Start.coop’s portfolio company Forty Acre Cooperative, a farmer-owned co-op focused on advancing the needs of Black and other socially disadvantaged farmers. Co-Founder and CEO Angela Dawson is a fourth-generation Midwest farmer driven to address the wealth gap for Black farmers.
Then there is The Guild, another Start.coop portfolio company, building community wealth in Atlanta through real estate. Their Community Stewardship Trust creates community-owned assets so that the value of the community’s real estate stays in the community. Similarly, their People’s Community Land Trust addresses the need for permanently affordable rental properties in Atlanta.
A Call for Inclusive Spaces
Cooperatives, and the community at-large have an important role to play in repairing centuries of oppression and marginalization of Black cooperative entrepreneurs and communities. To fully harness the potential of Black cooperative founders, we must actively create spaces that recognize and celebrate their unique contributions. This starts by connecting Black peers into the community fostering mentorship, providing access to capital, and amplifying the success stories of Black-led cooperative ventures.
We celebrate the work of Black folx across the country who are building spaces for Black cooperative entrepreneurs including The National Conference Black Cooperative Agenda, The Federation of Southern Cooperatives, Network for Developing Conscious Communities (NDCC) Black Coopnomics Academy, The Black Liberation Co-op Academy from Cooperation New Orleans and many other Black cooperators who are leading the movement for economic wealth and sustainability.
Our #BlackCoopsMatter Peer Circle is one piece of the puzzle. As we know through our experience running our Accelerator and Incubator cohorts, learning and sharing experiences in community is a powerful and transformative way to unlock the potential of cooperative start-ups. Special thank you to Elizabeth Carter Esq., LLC a source of inspiration for Start.coop’s #BlackCoopsMatter initiative and this peer circle. Elizabeth’s firm set out on a mission to gather stories of founders and cooperators to build the knowledge and strengthen the ecosystem for “organizing and building a Black cooperative movement”. The Start.coop team and some of our Accelerator Founders have been fortunate enough to collaborate with Elizabeth on past projects, I encourage you all to check out the #BlackCoopsMatter YouTube series here.
Empowering Future Generations
By championing Black cooperative founders, we pave the way for future generations to thrive. It’s about rewriting the narrative, proving that entrepreneurship is not limited by race but is an arena where diverse perspectives and innovative ideas converge to shape a more inclusive and prosperous society.
In the journey towards a more equitable future, the need for Black cooperative founders to have a prominent space in entrepreneurship and community wealth building is undeniable. It’s a call to action for all stakeholders — investors, policymakers, and the entrepreneurial community — to actively contribute to the creation of a more inclusive and empowering ecosystem where Black cooperative founders can flourish and, in doing so, contribute to the collective wealth of our communities.
Whether you are an aspiring entrepreneur or a passionate supporter of community-driven initiatives, the #BlackCoopsMatter Peer Circle invites you to join hands in building a future defined by equity, and resilience. Seize the opportunity to be a part of this transformative movement. Together, let’s shape a future where prosperity knows no bounds!
Learn more at https://www.start.coop/bcmpeercircle.
