The International Cooperative Alliance, the organization designated to provide information, define and defend Cooperative Principles, defines a cooperative as “an autonomous association of persons united voluntarily to meet their common economic, social and cultural needs and aspirations through a jointly owned and democratically controlled enterprise.” Simply put, the cooperative business model provides a structure that allows for a shared distribution of wealth and influence, rather than the capitalistic model, which is driven by profit for the benefit of a few.
Throughout history cooperative organizations have been used to address community problems, especially during periods of economic and social stress. With the non-extractive nature of cooperatives, it is easy to understand why it is the perfect answer to the economic challenges of today. However, it is unfortunate that cooperatives are more commonly sought after as a last resort to resolve the economic imbalances that plague people of all races and levels of class. For this reason, I contend that the cooperative model must be shared extensively, most especially in disenfranchised communities, because it is one of the few means of surviving in this era.
To that end, I have chosen to join a team to promote the cooperative business model by producing Everything Co-op, a nationally broadcasted radio show. Everything Co-op is a weekly exploration of the impact and potential of the cooperative business model. Producing this show for the past 10 years has enabled me to gain intricate knowledge of how the people and resources in the cooperative world are interconnected. Consequently, the knowledge gained from the interviews have been used to both help promote the Cooperative Business Model, and to connect individuals who might serve each other’s purpose.
As I look back over the years since the inception of Everything Co-op, I realize that the people who have been interviewed changed my worldview. One person, in particular, who really clarified my understanding of the evolution of cooperatives in the Black community is Jessica Gordon Nembhard Ph.D., author of Collective Courage: A History of African American Cooperative Economic Thought and Practice. Dr. Gordon Nembhard is a Professor at John Jay College, City University of New York, who was inducted into the Cooperative Hall of Fame in 2016. She is a political economist specializing in cooperative economics, community economic development, racial wealth inequality and Black Political Economy.
In Dr. Gordon Nembhard’s book, she simplifies the many ways women used cooperatives throughout history. She states, “Women were important to the Black co-op movement, as they were to the mutual-aid movement and civil rights movement. Many of the Black women involved in the cooperative movement began as leaders in the mutual-aid society. These women used the cooperative movement to increase gains for their families and communities – to keep control over income in the hands of their communities, stabilize income, increase wealth, and control their workplaces. They saw efforts as a part of the larger Black liberation and economic justice movements.” (170) This book is often referred to as a key reference book regarding the history of Blacks in cooperatives.
In Collective Courage you will find examples of cooperatives that were established as early as 1919 through 2013, just prior its publication. Many women interviewed on Everything Co-op were either mentioned in Collective Courage or referred by Dr. Gordon Nembhard. She always sought to share the limelight she gained from the prominence of her book. As was the case when she and Margaret Lund advocated for the Unsung Heroes category to be added to the Cooperative Hall of Fame process. When interviewed on Everything Co-op, Margaret Lund stated that after reading Collective Courage, she noted that there were so many “Heroes” in the history of the cooperative movement who had not been recognized, and she and Jessica Gordon Nembhard Ph.D. felt that each year one person from the past should be inducted into the Hall of Fame along with current inductees.
In cooperatives, women are known to share the limelight. Since Margaret Lund had appeared on Everything Co-op previously, it was no surprise that she played a pivotal role in establishing the Unsung Heroes category in the Cooperative Hall of Fame. Margaret Lund is an independent consultant specializing in the areas of community development, finance and shared ownership strategies. Throughout her career, Margaret has worked across cooperative sectors including credit unions, consumer co-ops, housing co-ops, worker co-ops, healthcare, and sustainable food systems. Before launching her consulting practice in 2008, Margaret spent 16 years as a small business lender to cooperatives. She has always been an advocate for the unsung.
Often, women assume the roles of doing the work, but not expecting to be acknowledged or recognized for the work they do. When asked for permission to acknowledge them, they often say. “Oh no, I’m just a behind the scenes person, I shouldn’t be acknowledged.” Such was the case for a cooperator, on whom I could always count on, Elizabeth (Liz) Bailey. Liz was a key player in the cooperative community. I met her while attending an event for Vernon Oakes, the host of Everything Co-op. Since I did not know anyone in the co-op community, I was a little nervous. Luckily, I sat next to Liz, who immediately took me under her wing. For the next 10 years that followed I could always count on Liz to: send e-introductions to all the key leaders in the co-op community for interviews; to promote Everything Co-op and Vernon; or to just be a friend. Liz held leadership positions with the National Cooperative Business Association CLUSA International, including Interim CEO, VP for Public Policy & Cooperative Development and almost eight years as Executive Director of the Cooperative Development Foundation, NCBA CLUSA’s non-profit affiliate, but she did not think she should be acknowledged. On January 25, 2024, Liz made her transition, and gained her wings. As I think about all that Liz has did for the cooperative community, I affirm that the next time I hear someone say, “I’m just a behind the scenes person, I should not be acknowledged,” I will say “Oh no, I will be submitting your Name.”
Source – Gordon Nembhard, Jessica; Collective Courage: A History of African American Cooperative Economic Thought and Practice, University Park, PA.
