Everything Co-op with Vernon Oakes

Daniel Weickenand, CEO of Orion Federal Credit Union is interviewed by Vernon Oakes. Vernon and Daniel discuss how Orion's commitment to community development has transformed communities, and the strategies he used to turn around distressed financial institutions. Under Weikenand's leadership, Orion has grown to become the largest credit union in west Tennessee with more than 72,000 members and nearly $1 billion in assets. Originally from Houston, Texas, Daniel has more than 25 years of credit union experience and demonstrated expertise in turning around distressed financial institutions. Since joining Orion in 2010, he has led the company's success through competitive products, state-of-the-art branch locations, and a significant commitment to community through support for local organizations including the Levitt Shell, Le Bonheur Children's Hospital, Shelby Farms Park, and many more. Orion was one of the first corporate partners to invest in developing the Memphis Edge District by relocating its headquarters to the former Wonder Bread factory in 2019 after a complete renovation of the space. Daniel earned his MBA and BBA in Accounting from UT San Antonio. He is a trusted industry professional and a member of the National Association of Federal Credit Unions (NAFCU) Board. He has also been a board member for local organizations including the Levitt Shell, Memphis in May, and the Regional One Foundation, among many others. In 2018, Daniel was named CEO of the Year by Inside Memphis Business magazine. Founded in Memphis in 1957, Orion currently has 10 locations in Shelby County, Tennessee and recently expanded to Little Rock, Arkansas. Daniel embodies Orion’s vision, “To be the leading source of financial independence in the communities we serve.” In his own words, Daniel "Seeks to keep as much money in the pockets of his members."

Everything Co-op broadcast live from Capitol Hill, with attendees of the Eastern Conference for Workplace Democracy (ECWD). The conference was held in Baltimore, Maryland, October 18 - 20, 2019. Four attendees of the conference discuss their backgrounds in cooperatives, and what they hope to gain from participating in the conference. The ECWD, founded in 2002, is a conference that builds awareness of worker-owned businesses while strengthening existing worker co-ops. This three day conference in Baltimore will make space for connection, education, skill-building, and sharing, for worker-owners and allied leaders who work to improve the lives of workers and their families. The ECWD has been convened every two years in the Eastern United States, and was last hosted by Baltimore in 2011. This will be the first year that the program is organized directly by the US Federation of Worker Co-ops, this country's national grassroots membership organization for worker-owned cooperatives.

Ron Hantz, Board President of the Network for Developing Conscious Communities (NDCC), appears on Everything Co-op. Ron and Vernon discuss NDCC's upcoming 2019 Symposium: Racial Equitable Community Development, and how the Network uses cooperative principles to build economically sound and equitable communities. Hantz has more than 28 years of experience in the development of affordable housing. After careful reflection upon his many years of experience he said, "Our ultimate goal should be to learn how to replicate best practices, how to develop indigenous leadership and how to build collaborative community based partnerships. He further states, "In many urban communities and neighborhoods throughout America, we need to reexamine our approach and strategies to community development." The Network for Developing Conscious Communities was founded 2014 as a 501 © (3) non-profit community development membership organization. Through implementing principles of conscious community development, the organization seeks to build economically cooperative and equitable communities through transparency, inclusiveness and collectivism. NDCC successfully works to improve financial sustainability, encourage business ownership and increase residential real estate ownership in Black neighborhoods.

Councilmember Anita Bonds(CM Bonds), the At-Large Member of DC Council, discusses the Limited Equity Co-op Task Force, and other Affordable Housing Strategies on Everything Co-op. Vernon and CM Bonds discuss the Limited Equity Cooperative Task Force she established, and her view of how cooperatives can be used to address housing and other community concerns in the District of Columbia. Anita Bonds is an At-Large member of the Council of the District of Columbia, and is currently the Chairwoman of the Committee on Housing and Neighborhood Revitalization. In addition to creating and preserving affordable housing, CM Bonds has been vocal about the need to improve the District's public-school system, expand violence prevention initiatives, and promote the idea of "good government." CM Bonds is also deeply concerned about shielding senior citizens from physical abuse, financial abuse, and neglect; ensuring that they have the resources needed to age in place. In all, CM Bonds has authored, co-authored, and helped pass into law more than 150 pieces of legislation that helps to make the District of Columbia a safer, more equitable, and more vibrant place to live and do business. Some of her most recent legislation to pass into law includes the: Vacancy Increase Amendment Act, which preserves housing affordability by lowering the maximum rent increases on particular turnover housing units. Limited Equity Cooperative Task Force Act, which establishes a task force that will provide policy recommendations to improve existing and add new cooperative housing in the District. Elder Abuse Response Team Act, which establishes the Elder Abuse Response Team (EART) as a commission of the Office of the Attorney General to coordinate victims' services including investigations, prosecutions, and medical forensic care for all types of elder abuse. Feminine Hygiene and Diapers Sales Tax Exemption Amendment Act, which eliminates the sales tax on feminine hygiene products and baby and adult diapers in the District. Outside of the Council, CM Bonds seeks opportunities to further her commitment to serve and improve the lives of others. She is a member of the National Conference of State Legislatures' Task Force on State and Local Taxation (NCSL SALT), the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (COG), a board member of the national Democratic Municipal Officials (DMO), served as the Chair of the DC Democratic State Committee and a former member of the Executive Committee from 2006-2018. She has also worked on numerous campaigns to elect like-minded, high-profile Democratic candidates at the national, state, and municipal levels. She has served as a cabinet member in the administrations of Mayors Anthony Williams, Sharon Pratt, and Marion Barry.

Members of NCBA CLUSA's Youth Empowerment Through Agriculture Group are Interviewed on Everything Co-op, at at its 2019 IMPACT Conference, Power in Purpose, Building the Next Economy. Everything Co-op was honored to serve as NCBA CLUSA's media partner for this year's IMPACT Conference. The IMPACT conference, is a premier opportunity to network with co-op developers, financiers, economists, government agencies, educational institutions and foundations all working to bring the co-op economy to scale. The four young leaders of tomorrow who were interviewed were quite impressive.

Greg Brodsky, Director of Start.coop discusses the Start dot Co-ops Accelerator Program for cooperatively owned businesses. Start.coop empowers entrepreneurs in building transformative, scalable, cooperatively owned businesses, and in creating viable, sustainable alternatives to economic consolidation. Brodsky is the Director of Start.coop, which is an accelerator for cooperatively owned businesses. Prior to assuming his current position, he founded the Bike Cooperative which is a purchasing group for bicycle stores; and co-founded the Independent Brewers Alliance, which is a purchasing group for craft brewers. Greg is also the current Board Chair at the Cooperative Development Institute.

Dr. Martin Lowery, Executive Vice President, Emeritus of National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) is interviewed on Everything Co-op. Vernon and Dr. Lowery discuss significant moments he has experienced as an advocate of cooperatives, and the work he is currently doing. He also chronicles many historical moments of the International Cooperative Alliance, NRECA, National Cooperative Business Association CLUSA International, and many other organizations. For more than three decades, Dr. Martin Lowery has been a forceful advocate for the cooperative business model. He is Executive Vice President, Emeritus, of the NRECA, and the immediate past chair of the National Cooperative Bank Board of Directors. Dr. Lowery was inducted into the Cooperative Hall of Fame in May 2014, the highest honor that the U.S. cooperative community bestows on individuals who have made heroic contributions to the cooperative movement. He is currently the elected U.S. representative to the board of the International Cooperative Alliance (ICA). Dr. Lowery received a bachelor's degree (cum laude) from DePaul University and a Ph.D. in philosophy from Duke University.

Ed Whitfield and Sohnie Black, of the Fund for Democratic Communities are Interviewed on Everything Co-op. Vernon and his guests discuss the journey of the Renaissance Community Cooperative. Renaissance is a food co-op that recently closed. Even though the cooperative closed, a lot of lessons were learned during the whole process of planning and finally opening the grocery co-op covered a span of eight years. The introspective look at those lessons was quite revealing. Ed Whitfield is co-founder and co-managing director of the Fund for Democratic Communities (F4DC). He is a social critic, writer and community activist who has lived in Greensboro since 1970. Originally from Little Rock, Arkansas, Ed's political activism started with attending Little Rock Central High School and beginning to do anti-war work as a teenager. He retired after 30 years in industry before becoming involved with philanthropy. Now Ed speaks and writes on issues of cooperatives and economic development while continuing to be interested in issues of war and peace, as well as education and social responses to racism. Ed serves on the boards of the New Economy Coalition, The Working World, and the Southern Reparations Loan Fund Sohnie joined the F4DC staff in 2012 as a community organizer. A native of Winston-Salem, she has lived in Greensboro for 40 years. She brings with her a lifelong passion for justice and community organizing. At F4DC she focuses on food access, democratic ownership of natural resources, and ecological sustainability. Sohnie was part of the technical assistance team for the Renaissance Community Cooperative, a community owned grocery that recently closed after two years of operations. She believes great cities are built through organized and empowered neighborhoods that are resilient, sustainable and democratic. This conversation is quite insightful!

Vernon interviews John Torres, VP of Communication and Public Relations for the National Cooperative Business Association CLUSA International. Vernon and John discuss the 2019 Cooperative IMPACT Conference, and other initiatives being sponsored by NCBA CLUSA. The conference will be held on October 2-4, at the Sheraton Pentagon City Hotel, in Arlington, Virginia. John currently serves as the Vice President of Communication and Public Relations for the National Cooperative Business Association CLUSA International (NCBA CLUSA). The organization serves as the primary voice in the U.S. for people who use cooperatives to build a better world. It provides cross-sector education, support, and advocacy that helps co-ops thrive, with an international development portfolio of over $48 million in active programs in 20 countries. NCBA CLUSA's 2019 Co-op IMPACT Conference program provides an opportunity for attendees to be part of the conversation at this year's only national, cross-sector event for cooperatives and the people and communities that make them possible. Under the theme, "Power in Purpose: Building the Next Economy," IMPACT 2019 will amplify how cooperatives-as principled, purpose-driven businesses-are building a stable, sustainable economy. From the Roosevelt Institute's Felicia Wong, to District of Columbia Councilmember Anita Bonds, NCBA CLUSA has pulled together a robust docket of speakers representing foundations, governments, financiers and developers. The tracks this year include: Co-ops in Communities, Co-ops in Business, Co-ops in Development and Purchasing Co-ops. On Friday, October 4, the international content has been expanded to include a full day of programming with three tracks to choose from: Sustainability and Self Reliance, Stability and Innovations in Co-op Development. To register, or learn more about the conference visit NCBA CLUSA's website at NCBACLUSA.coop/impact-conference.

On Thursday, August 15, 2019 Everything Co-op host Vernon Oakes, and co-producer RL Condra hosted the show live from the Federation of Southern Cooperatives Land Assistance Fund's 52nd Annual Meeting. Vernon Oakes discusses the 52nd Annual Meeting of the Federation of Southern Co-operatives with the Executive Director, Cornelius Blanding, and RL Condra and Vernon discuss the history of Everything Co-op, and the most memorable lessons, and guests of the show. Vernon and Cornelius also discussed the upcoming events of the three-day annual meeting, including the Estelle Witherspoon Lifetime Achievement Award Ceremony. This year the Federation honored Rev. Jesse Louis Jackson Sr. This award is given in memory of Estelle Witherspoon, a woman whose dedication to the advancement of her community and to all humanity epitomizes the true spirit of community and cooperation.. Highlights of the upcoming workshops, round-table discussions, and networking programs, scheduled to take place at the Federation's Rural Training and Research Center in Epes, Alabama on August 16 and 17 were also discussed. Don't miss this insightful conversation!

Representative Edmond Dwayne Jordan, is a Democratic member of the Louisiana House of Representatives for District 29. Vernon and Rep. Jordan discuss his role on the Board of Directors of Essential Federal Credit Union, how cooperatives can be used to address community problems in Louisiana, and how his commitment to those persons who are underrepresented in society aligns with cooperative values and principles. Representative Jordan is an attorney and politician. On May 14, 2016, he won a special election runoff to succeed fellow Democrat Ronnie Edwards, and was recently re-elected to serve another 4-year term on August 8, 2019, in an uncontested race. He current serves on the following Legislative Committees: Commerce, Homeland Security, Insurance, Judiciary, and Legislative Audit Advisory Council. A Life-long Brusly resident, Jordan graduated from the historically black Southern University and the Southern University Law Center, both in the capital city of Baton Rouge. An attorney since 1998, Jordan has represented the Louisiana Public Service Commission, the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality, and the United States Department of Homeland Security. He co-owns Cypress Insurance Agency in Baton Rouge; serves on the Board of Directors of Essential Federal Credit Union, and is a graduate of the leadership programs offered by both the West Baton Rouge/Iberville Chamber of Commerce, and the Council For A Better Louisiana.

Richard Larochelle, Co-op Instructor, and Cooperative Hall of Fame member is interviewed by host Vernon Oakes. Vernon and Richard discuss the co-op course he teaches at the University of Mary Washington, and the different ways he continues to support the cooperative movement. Although retired now, Rich Larochelle continues to contribute to the advancement of cooperatives through his involvement with a startup food co-op in his community, and by teaching cooperative principles. Rich is a founding director of the Fredericksburg Food Co-op and is currently the co-op's Board Chair. He is also an Adjunct Instructor at the University of Mary Washington, where he co-teaches a course on Cooperative Business. Rich Larochelle has spent his life championing the cooperative business model. During a 40-year electric cooperative career -including nearly a decade with the federal Rural Electrification Administration (REA) and later senior leadership posts with the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association and the National Rural Utilities Cooperative Finance Corporation-he demonstrated his passion for helping cooperative consumers by fighting to improve the quality of rural life at every turn.

Bianca Vazquez, Director of Beloved Community Incubator (BCI), discusses the genesis of the organization, and resources and services that are offered to support the development of cooperatives. She also walks through the case history of Dulce Hogar Cleaning Cooperative, a cooperative the organization helped to form. Bianca Vazquez has been at the Steinbruck Center since August of 2011. In 2011. Bianca graduated with an interdisciplinary major in Sociology and Political Science from Loyola University Maryland in Baltimore, MD. During her time at Loyola, she was active in Spring Break Outreach, Loyola's Alternative Break Program. She participated in trips to Baltimore, MD, Biloxi, MS, and Pine Ridge Reservation, SD where she was exposed to the power of alternative breaks and allowing marginalized communities to become her teachers. Bianca is committed to facilitating transformative service and educational experiences for groups and reimagining what volunteering and community engagement can look like. Beloved Community Incubator was established as a part of the Steinbruck Center a ministry of Luther Place Memorial Church that provides transformative urban immersion experiences for groups through a combination of education, direct service, experiential learning, critical analysis, and reflection.

Kimberly Smith, CEO and founder of Marjani, a Beauty and Cosmetics Company for women of color is interviewed on Everything Co-op. Vernon and Kimberly discuss how Marjani fulfills its mission, and how it has used a cooperative business model to accommodate the business structure that was desired. As an Ivy League trained attorney, Kimberly advised companies navigating the complex regulatory world of the health care industry, but growing up, Kimberly always had a passion for fashion and beauty. "I can remember being one of the few girls who always wore heels and a full face of make up to class on my college campus," says Kimberly. "Expressing myself through different hairstyles, make-up, and fashion, has always been fun for me." Eventually Kimberly started an online business, and eventually expanded to open a store in partnership with her best friend. Marjani opened its doors eight months ago. Marjani's Pledge: "We aim to not just be a retailer, but a community where shopping is a fun, memorable experience. Bringing international beauty and cosmetic products to the local consumer, and using this platform to empower brown girls, across nationalities, age, hair textures and shades to embrace and claim their beauty." For more information on Kimberly or Marjani's visit marjanibeauty.com.

Peggy Fogarty, Executive Director at the Keystone Development Center, KDC, discusses how KDC works with the development of emerging Co-ops. She talks about her background in the cooperative movement, and shares examples of how KDC has helped to develop co-ops in each of the Cooperative sectors; including worker, consumer, purchasing and marketing. In addition to being the Executive Director of KDC, Peggy Fogarty is the board/organization liaison. She oversees KDC's funding plan, finances, operations, systems, projects, clients, and staff. She has been employed by KDC since 2005, and has served as the ED since 2014. Her experience includes over 19 years of program development and administration, 15 years teaching in adult education, and 7 years as a produce farmer. Her focus has been on increasing KDC's impact and developing systems to measure and report on the success of KDC's clients. She has also been instrumental in expanding the reach of the organization regionally and in the diversity of the projects KDC engages in. Peggy's entrepreneurial spirit, vision and ability to leverage community partners are key ingredients to KDC and her client's success in important phases of development and expansion. For more information or to donate to KDC, visit KDC.coop

Community development specialist Margaret Lund, and research analyst Leiha Edmonds discuss The "ABCs of Co-op Impact," and cooperative development. 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. Lund is a past member of the boards of the U.S. National Cooperative Business Association, and Health Partners, the largest consumer-governed healthcare organization in the United States. Past awards include the Howard Bowers Cooperative Service Award from the Consumer Cooperative Managers Association, and the 2014 John Logue Award for "acting as a catalyst for innovation and change" from the Association of Cooperative Educators. Leiha Edmonds is a research analyst in the Metropolitan Housing and Communities Policy Center at the Urban Institute. Edmonds conducts mixed methods research focused on community and economic development and place-based policy initiatives. Recent projects include policy research on the state and local legislation influencing cooperative development across the United States, participatory action research with community members in East Baltimore, and the evaluation of the US Economic Development Administration. Before joining Urban, Edmonds worked as an inclusive mobility planner for the City of Evanston, Illinois, and as a community and union organizer in Chicago and East St. Louis, Illinois. Edmonds holds a master's degree in urban planning and policy from the University of Illinois at Chicago

Stephen R. McDow II, Director of Membership, Outreach and Education at the Keystone Development Center is interviewed on Everything Co-op, by host Vernon Oakes. Vernon and Stephen discuss the role cooperatives can play in addressing community problems. Most especially that of food desserts, and the recent proliferation of dollar stores in low income communities, and the impact the lack of access to healthy food can have on life expectancy in those communities. Stephen R. McDow II has dedicated his life to bringing together rural and urban America for the purposes of achieving an inclusive economy. He firmly believes that any approach to diversity must be deliberate, but he also feels the challenge is the need a identify a validator who relates to the individuals you are trying to connect with. When discussing the challenges of diversity in cooperatives Stephen states; "I think oftentimes, we are so siloed in our communities that we don't see the similarities - but the equaliser is co-ops, because they can address these challenges. And the approach is the same: encouraging everyone to care for the community and participate in a democratic process." Previously, Stephen managed membership and stakeholder relations for the National Cooperative Business Association (NCBA CLUSA) and handled membership outreach and retention for the Montgomery County Medical Society (MCMS) and MedChi, the Maryland State Medical Society.

Alex Stone, Executive Director of CooperationWorks! (CW), is interviewed on Everything Co-op, by host Vernon Oakes. Vernon and Alex discuss her experiences in the cooperative movement, and how Cooperation Works! uses its national network of Cooperative Development Centers, to help revitalize communities through effective cooperative enterprise development. Alex Stone first became involved with co-ops through student housing co-ops at UC Berkeley, where she lived for three years and participated as a house-level manager and board member. She was deeply involved with the creation of the Berkeley Student Food Collective and served as the store's first Operations Manager through its first two years. Alex co-founded the Cooperative Food Empowerment Directive and coordinated its first training involving over twenty students from seven universities across the west coast. As Executive Director of CW, she looks forward to expanding CW's impact in the field of cooperative development. CooperationWorks! is the Center of Excellence for cooperative business development. The organization is a dynamic and innovative national cooperative created to grow the cooperative model across the United States. Its mission is to strengthen America's cooperative movement by building and empowering a network of skilled cooperative development practitioners. CW members, a national network of Cooperative Development Centers, work together to revitalize communities through effective cooperative enterprise development.

Jennifer Bryant, Program Manager for Community Wealth Building Initiatives at Washington Area Community Investment Fund(Wacif), appears on Everything Co-op. Jennifer and Vernon discuss strategies to preserve wealth in communities, and how worker owned cooperatives can be used as an exit strategy for retiring baby boomer executives. As Program Manager for Community Wealth Building Initiatives, Jennifer leads the DC Employee Ownership Initiative, a strategic investment to preserve legacy businesses and create new pathways to entrepreneurship. Prior to joining the staff at Wacif Jennifer worked for several years in the labor and cooperative movements. She is grounded in the belief that shared ownership and community wealth are central to building racial and economic equity. Jennifer is committed to revitalizing and expanding employee ownership in the District. She was a founding steering committee member of Cooperation DC, a grassroots group that organized trainings, learning journeys, and community popular education for low-income communities of color. She helped establish DC's first Black Worker Center before moving to the International Labor Communications Association, a constituent organization of the AFL-CIO. She currently is a member of the DC Cooperative Stakeholders Group which was initiated by the DC Department of Small and Local Business Development in 2016. Jennifer is a member of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Culture of Health Leaders Program, which brings together leaders across the country and across sectors to address health inequities and implement transformative public health initiatives. Her team's project explores economic determinants of health and the impact of worker cooperative ownership on health outcomes in Southeast Washington.

Gina Schaefer Co-Founder & CEO of 11 ACE Hardware Stores is interviewed by Vernon Oakes, Host of Everything Co-op. Gina and Vernon discuss how she and her husband Marc have been able to open so many stores, their path to success, their benefit packages, community participation and the value of treating people well. Gina Schaefer is the Co-Founder and CEO of 11 ACE Hardware stores located in Washington, D.C., Baltimore, Maryland, and Alexandria, Virginia. She is a passionate entrepreneur who grew her company from one to eleven stores in a twelve year period, and with her husband leads a multi-million dollar small business that employs more than 250 people. Gina has tirelessly focused on the "Return to Main Street" movement in her own city of Washington D.C. to promote Shop Local campaigns and community revitalization projects in urban areas. She serves on several Boards, and is a member of the ACE Center for Excellence. Gina has received many accolades for her accomplishments including: Recipient, Women Who Mean Business Award by the Washington Business Journal of 2009 Recognized as an Industry Top Gun in 2011 by the National Retail Hardware Association Honored by Profiles in Diversity Journal as one of its Women Worth Watching in 2013 Recipient, SmartCEO's "Brava Award" for Top CEO in the Washington, DC area in 2014 Recipient, Washington Woman of Excellence by the Washington DC Commission on Women 2016

Host of Everything Co-op, Vernon Oakes interviews Rod Kelsay, Executive Director of Mid America Cooperative Council (MACC). Vernon and Rod discuss efforts of the Council to address the lack of unique co-op educational resources available in the Midwestern region, and the moral values and principles that will help sustain cooperative businesses. MACC is a multi-state, non-profit trade association founded in January 2003, by a group of like-minded individuals. These individuals understood the impact cooperative principles have on the sustainability of co-ops, yet they began to see a widespread erosion of co-op knowledge among co-op communities. All sectors of cooperatives were engaged in establishing MACC. The founders also wanted to address the lack of unique co-op educational resources available in the Midwestern region. Members co-aligned and co-created MACC, filling this advocacy gap. If you are a member of a co-op with new or tenured employees who need to have a better understanding of the unique differences between the cooperative business world, and the corporate business world, Mid America Cooperative Education offers both member and non-members a Co-ops 101 class. For more information visit www.macc.coop.

Amy White Abbott, Director of Community Purchasing Alliance (CPA), appears on Everything Co-op, a nationally broadcast radio show. Vernon and Amy discuss benefits provided to members of CPA, Employment opportunities to join CPA, and examples of how the cooperative has helped leverage the power of its members to address common problems. Prior to CPA Amy was a community organizer in Northern Virginia where Amy taught citizens how to build power in order to change their communities. Amy helped hundreds of people organize around preschool access and won over 800 new slots of pre-k for low-income children. Amy grew up in rural Ohio and is the product of both the immigrant and the American dream. Her grandparents came to the United States from Italy seeking a better life for themselves and their family. Because of this, Amy feels a deep responsibility to make systemic changes and seeks to address issues of inequality, racism and poverty with others who want a more just society. At Catholic Charities, Amy built successful and diverse teams as the Director of Transitional Housing tackling difficult issues of homelessness, poverty and mental health. She has 11 years of experience in non-profit management and particularly enjoys recruiting, mentoring and training volunteers. Amy serves on the Board of Directors for BEACON, a non-profit dedicated to improving the lives of immigrants. She holds a B.A. degree from the Ohio State University and an Executive Certification in Non-Profit Leadership from the Center for Social Leadership. Amy sees CPA as a vehicle that allows institutions to align their purchasing power with their values in order to have a more just, equitable and sustainable society and is excited to be part of the team.

Vernon Oakes, host of Everything Co-op interviews Roberta MacDonald, Senior Vice President of Marketing at Cabot Creamery Cooperative. Vernon and Roberta discuss the 2019 Cooperative Hall of Fame Awards Ceremony, the ABC's of Cooperatives, and much, much, more! Roberta thrives on her 40 years of marketing experience. She and her much beloved fellow Farmer Champions throughout Cabot Creamery Co-op have spent the last thirty helping a nearly bankrupt, small farm family owned dairy cooperative become a national player. Thanks to award-winning cheese and indelible, award-winning, and occasionally, over-the-top trial campaigns. Roberta previously served as Vermont's first Marketing Director, a position created for her by Governor Kunin in 1984. Over her career, Roberta has accepted many awards on behalf of the Cabot farmers for design, promotions, and high-impact public relations programs, including the Tal Haussig Award - the highest individual award given by B Corps. Prior to moving to Vermont, Roberta served as staff or provided services to the San Francisco Opera, the Ford Foundation, American Express, NYU, CBS, and the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. Roberta currently serves on the End of Life Council for the National Hospice & Palliative Care Association a culmination of over a decade volunteering for hospice in Burlington, Vermont. Recently, Roberta started an informal Above Ground Railroad for select women released from prison with no family or resources in order to reunite them with their children. The first recipient made it to TN last week with a phone, cash, clothes, and presents. She was vetted by Roberta's niece who is serving 25 to life at Chittenden Correctional.

2019 Co-op Hall of Fame Inductee, Richard Ensweiler is interviewed on Everything Co-op on May 2, 2019. Vernon and Richard discuss his career, and the many contributions he has made to the cooperative movement. Richard Ensweiler's legendary, 50-year career in cooperative finance began in college, where he planned to score a career in basketball coaching. Instead, he took a summer job at State Central Credit Union. Soon, he was a management trainee headed for the top position at Harley Davidson Credit Union. In 1995, Richard joined the Texas Credit Union League. Today, it's the largest regional credit union trade association in the country, comprised of more than 540 credit unions that serve close to 9 million members. In 2013, Richard led an effort to merge the Texas Credit Union League with the Credit Union Association of Oklahoma and the Arkansas Credit Union League, forming today's Cornerstone Credit Union League. At the time, credit union league membership was dwindling and leagues were struggling to provide services. By joining forces to create a larger organization with broader reach, the organization became an influential voice with potential partners, vendors, regulators, and national associations. Richard went on to serve as President and CEO of Cornerstone Credit Union League, Cornerstone Credit Union Foundation, and Credit Union Resources for more than two decades. He was also dedicated to extending the benefits of credit union benefits to under served markets. At Texas Credit Union League, Richard created Juntos Avanzamos ("Together We Advance"), an outreach program focused on serving Texas' Hispanic population. The Richard L. Ensweiler Fund was established to preserve his vision, enabling credit unions to earmark funds for the program. In 1999, Richard even served as an advisor on then President-Elect Vincente Fox's transition team, working to ensure that the Mexican community in the United States could transfer funds back to their families through credit unions at substantial savings. Throughout his career, Richard was a driving force behind credit union advocacy. He led the effort to build Credit Union House, a facility cooperatively funded by each of the 38 state credit union leagues. Located in the nation's capitol, Credit Union House is a critical hub for the industry's advocacy work.

Vernon interviews 2019 Co-op Hall of Fame Inductee, Anne Reynolds, Director of the University of Wisconsin Center for Co-ops, retired. Vernon and Anne discuss her career, and the many contributions she has made to the cooperative movement. In 1996, Anne joined the staff of the University of Wisconsin Center for Cooperatives, as the center was beginning to transfer its internationally renowned cooperative library online. Anne's role at the center transitioned over the years; by 2014, she was Executive Director. A fixture of the University of Wisconsin-Madison's Center for Cooperatives-the U.S.'s premier cooperative research center-Anne has contributed significantly to scholarship on cooperatives. Her career has not only spanned co-op sectors, but bridged gaps: between academics and business leaders, between strategic thinking and practical application and across deep ideological and cultural divides. Anne Reynolds retired in 2018 from her position as the Executive Director of the University of Wisconsin Center for Cooperatives, where she led the Center's outreach, education and development program. She is currently doing consulting on cooperatives and is an active volunteer in her community. Anne has worked with numerous organizations on strategic planning, fund-raising, organizational development and community organizing. Anne serves on several boards, including the Ralph Morris Foundation, Shared Capital Cooperative (a community development finance institution), 350 Madison, and the Madison Public Market Foundation. Before joining the Center for Cooperatives, she worked at the Credit Union National Association (CUNA).

2019 Co-op Hall of Fame Inductee, Richard Stammer is interviewed on Everything Co-op, a nationally broadcast radio show. Stammer is the former President and CEO of Agri-Mark Inc. and Cabot Creamery Cooperative. Vernon and Richard discuss his career, and the many contributions he has made to the cooperative movement. A leader in the U.S. dairy industry for half a century, Richard Stammer helped New England dairy cooperatives sidestep bankruptcy with a daring merger that today generates sales approaching $1 billion, and worked to shape public policies to protect the economic interests of the nation's diary farmers. Richard began his career as a tenured professor of Agricultural Economics at Rutgers University, but left to put theory into practice at a pivotal moment in the dairy industry. The 1980s and 90s were tough times for the milk industry in New England; family farms were shuttering and dairy co-ops were collapsing. With no value-added products, Agri-Mark was hit hard. At first, it seemed like Cabot Creamery would weather the downturn; it was expanding distribution of its branded butter and cheeses. But unstable milk prices persisted, falling 30 percent by the summer of 1991. By 1992, Cabot, too, was on the verge of bankruptcy. What if Agri-Mark, a cooperative of dairy farmers, merged with Cabot, a creamery co-op with a full line of consumer branded dairy products? Richard, then Vice President and COO of Agri-Mark, effectively made the case for the bold-and fiercely debated-farm-to-market merger. By the mid-90s, the combined co-op had already realized $90 million in sales. In 1994, Richard took on the additional role of CEO at Cabot, where his foresight was again rewarded. Under his leadership, Cabot commanded the market for aged cheddars, boosting sales and winning awards, while also positioning itself for what would be the next artisan cheese trend: flavored cheddars. Richard also helped Cabot solve a persistent waste disposal problem by turning a virtually useless byproduct of cheese processing-whey-into milk protein concentrate, now used to boost the protein content of everything from infant formula to sports nutrition products. Richard's contributions to the dairy industry not only made it more economically viable, but also more sustainable. He helped tell the story of the economic, social, and environmental contributions of dairy farms long before corporate sustainability was a buzzword. Cabot became the first dairy co-op in the U.S. to earn the rigorous third-party verification of B-Corp certification by focusing on its triple bottom line. In 2014, Cabot received the U.S. Dairy Sustainability Award for Outstanding Dairy Processing and Manufacturing Sustainability. In 2011, Richard assumed yet another leadership role: CEO of Agri-Mark. Today, he continues to serve the co-op as Senior Executive Vice President on a part-time basis, playing a critical role in dairy industry lawsuits involving Agri-Mark and National Milk Producers Federation.

Kristen Barker, Executive Director of the Cincinnati Union Co-op Initiative (CUCI, discusses how the Union Co-op has helped Cooperatives to Form, Grow and Transition from Employer to Employee owned businesses. Kristen Barker is a social entrepreneur. She is Co-Founder and Executive Director of the Cincinnati Union Co-op Initiative, and is a Co-Founder of 1worker1vote. She designs and leads participatory education events with English- and Spanish-speaking co-op workers, and helps worker-owners make their businesses more successful. Kristen also helps CUCI's design team determine the feasibility of potential co-op businesses, helps retiring business owners determine whether they can sell their business to their employees, and helps viable co-ops access the capital they need to leverage their ideas. Kristen has done groundbreaking work in adopting the Mondragon model to the U.S. context, and hosts delegations from around the country, including the participants in CUCI's semi-annual Union Co-op Symposium. Kristen is also a 2016-2018 Business Alliance for Local and Living Economies (BALLE) Fellow. Before becoming CUCI's Executive Director, she worked for 12 years fostering partnerships between people of faith, union members, and community members of diverse backgrounds. Kristen is a graduate of Xavier University, and a lifelong Cincinnati resident, except for two years in El Salvador. Kristen is a single mother of a resilient daughter with special needs.

2019 Co-op Hall of Fame Inductee, Terry Appleby is interviewed on March 28, 2019. Vernon and Terry discuss his career and many contributions to the cooperative movement. Mr. Appleby started his co-op career at Puget Consumer Co-op, in 1980. He worked in several areas at PCC, starting as a clerk, department and store management, merchandising director and general management, and also served two terms on the PCC board of directors during a period of rapid growth. After leaving PCC in 1992, he became the general manager of the Hanover Consumer Cooperative Society and worked there until his retirement at the end of 2016. During his tenure at Hanover new approaches to interactions with local farmers led to significant benefits for farmers, the co-op and consumers. Three additional store locations were opened, an off-site food production facility was created, local products available to consumers dramatically increased, and revenues were increased from $15 million to $75 million. While at Hanover Mr. Appleby was involved in several cooperative efforts on both regional and local levels. He was a board member and then board president of Northeast Cooperatives (a natural food wholesaler), Equal Exchange (a co-op involved in fair trade), Associated Grocers of New England (a cooperative food wholesaler) and the National Cooperative Grocers where she also served a term as board president. He helped found the Cooperative Grocers Association of the Northeast, the National Cooperative Grocers Association, the Neighboring Food Co-op Association, Local First (a group promoting local business), and Willing Hands (a food reclamation non-profit that redistributes hundreds of tons of food to local groups and individuals in the Upper Connecticut River Valley). This interview is the first of four interview of the 2019 Cooperative Hall of Fame Inductees.

As Everything Co-op continues its celebration of Women's History Month, Julian Rowand honors his mother, Nancy Rowand, the first site manager of Beecher Cooperative, and other women who helped to establish the cooperative. Julian Rowand was a long-time member of the Beecher Cooperative and is now the cooperative’s site manager. He and Vernon also discuss the role women have played in the establishment of cooperatives in the Washington DC area, and throughout the world. Julian shares the history of how Beecher Cooperative came into existence as a result of tenants claiming their building when the owner of Beecher gave its tenants an eviction notice on Christmas eve in 1977. The tenants banded together and in 1979 they purchased the building from the owner and formed Beecher Cooperative. Today Julian is the current site manager of the cooperative that his mother co-founded when he was only 1-years old. This is a true story of a community overcoming and continuing to thrive.

In celebration of National Women's History Month, Everything Co-op honors women in the cooperative movement. The 2019 theme for Women's History Month is "Visionary Women: Champions of Peace and Nonviolence." This week Vernon interviews a visionary woman, Dr. Jessica Gordon Nembhard, Dr. Gordon Nembhard is Chair of the Department of Africana Studies at John Jay College, City University of New York, and Professor of Community Justice and Social Economic Development. She is also author of "Collective Courage: A History of African American Cooperative Economic Thought and Practice." Mr. Oakes and Dr. Gordon Nembhard discuss the role that African American women have played in the cooperative movement, and the contributions of Nannie Helen Burroughs, Helena Wilson, Freedom Quilting Bee, Ella Jo Baker, Fannie Lou Hamer and the Young Negroes Cooperatives league. Dr. Gordon Nembhard, is a cooperative ambassador, political economist and community economic development expert. She is also an Affiliate Scholar, at the Centre for the Study of Cooperatives, at the University of Saskatchewan. After 15 years of careful research, she published "Collective Courage: A History of African American Cooperative Economic Thought and Practice". Her book argues that co-ops not only should be, but have historically been a social justice tool within African American communities. Dr. Gordon Nembhard stated that is very concerned about the lack of succession planning in the African American cooperative communities. During the interview she further notes that, although her research revealed that cooperatives were used as a solution to the community problems that arose in every generation, it was Not usually because the same organizations remained open. That said, during her final comments she states that education is a key factor to ensure that future generations can learn from the advancements of present generation with regards to cooperatives. In the African American cooperative communities we have to pass on the education, documentation and enthusiasm to our next generation to strengthen our communities.

LaKeisha Wolf, Executive Director of Ujamaa Collective discusses the history of the collective and its plans to expand. Vernon and Lakeisha also discuss the role that Ujamaa Collective plays in the community, and how it has incorporated the needs of the community to create other cooperatives, which is in keeping with the meaning of it's name. Ujamaa is the fourth of the seven Nguzo Saba principles of Kwanzaa, and it means Cooperative Economics. Vernon and Lakeisha also discuss the other six principles of Kwanza and how their meanings are used as guiding principles of life. As a first-generation Pittsburgher, LaKeisha Wolf has developed her roots across the community working at the intersection of social justice, arts, culture and entrepreneurship. She is a founding member of the Hill District based non-profit Ujamaa Collective, serving as Executive Director since 2013. In this role, LaKeisha focuses on the business affairs and cooperative development of emerging Africana women-owned craft industries. She has over 17 years' experience in community, organizational and leadership development, consulting with numerous organizations including Sankofa Community Empowerment, Inc., Community Human Services Corporation, The Legacy Arts Project, Inc., and the Alliance for Police Accountability. LaKeisha holds a Bachelor's Degree in Communications from Penn State University (2001) where she served as Black Caucus President, helping to establish the State of Pennsylvania's first Africana Research Institute at PSU. In addition, she's also a graduate of NASCO Institute's Emerging Cooperative Leaders Program. Ujamaa Collective Marketplace opened its doors in 2010, offering the high-quality and handmade goods of the women of the Ujamaa Collective, local and international artisans to the Pittsburgh Region. The idea was a simple one: Black women, entrepreneurs, acting in unity for the benefit of the individual entrepreneur, the collective and the community. Integral to this concept was the inclusion of a green marketplace that would benefit the Hill District community physically, economically, socially and spiritually.

Deb Trocha, Executive Director of the International Cooperative Development Center, and Stuart Reid, Executive Director of the Food Co-op Initiative, are interviewed Live by Vernon Oakes at the Up & Coming Conference on February 28, 2019. They discuss the sessions offered at the conference, the history of the conference and the different audiences that may benefit from the conference. Held each year since 2010, Up and Coming is coordinated by the Indiana Cooperative Development Center, and its partner Food Co-op Initiative. Each year the conference is hosted by a food co-op, This year, the local food co-op host is Outpost Natural Foods. The 2019 conference had over 50 workshops and 45 speakers. There was "Something for Everyone!" If you are in the initial stages of planning to open a food co-op, then this conference is for you. It was an honor for Everything Co-op to broadcast live from the Up & Coming Conference. This conference seeks to serve everyone. This year attendees came from 35 states, 12 sessions were translated in Spanish, and there were several different tracks that were created to appeal to diverse populations. If you weren't able to attend the conference this year, make sure you have it on your calendar for next year.

Debbie Trocha, Executive Director of the Indiana Cooperative Development Center (ICDC), is interviewed by Vernon Oakes. Vernon and Deb discuss the Up & Coming Food Co-op Conference on on February 14, 2019. The Up and Coming Food Co-op Conference is focused on helping communities start and launch their own food co-ops. This event also offers resources and workshops for co-ops in the first years of operation, with the aim of helping them achieve success. The 2019 conference will be hosted at the Hyatt Rency Milwaukee, 333 W. Kilbourn Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53203, on March 1 - 2, 2019, with optional workshops on February 28. Click on the link below to register. http://upandcoming.coop The Indiana Cooperative Development Center (ICDC) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that promotes cooperatives as a vibrant model to address the economic and social needs of Indiana’s communities. It began offering services in 2003 and was incorporated in 2006. ICDC provides assistance to a wide variety of cooperatives including food, agricultural, arts and crafts, child care, energy, and housing with start-up, management, and other technical assistance. It also provides training opportunities designed to bring together groups of people involved in the same type of cooperative development.

David Hincapie, Economic Development Specialist and Veteran Business Development Officer for the Washington Metropolitan Area District Office of the U.S. Small Business Administration, and Debbie Trocha, Executive Director of the Indiana Cooperative Development Center (ICDC) are interviewed by Vernon Oakes on Everything Co-op, February 14, 2019. For more information on the Up & Coming Conference visit http://icdc.coop/up-coming-2019. Vernon and his guests discuss recent developments regarding the enabling legislation that requires SBA to guarantee loans to cooperatives (Main Street Employee Ownership Act of 2018), and the Up & Coming Food Co-op Conference, which will be held in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on March 1-2, with (with optional workshops on Feb. 28).

Everything Co-op begins it's celebration of Black History Month by embracing the 2019 theme of Black Migrations, as declared by the Association for the Study of African American Life and History with Co-op leader and author David Thompson. David returns to the mick to discuss a different aspect of his upcoming book, Cooperatives and the Civil Rights Movement, by focusing on the cooperative affiliations of leaders who planned and participated in the March on Washington. David Thompson, has worked for national cooperative organizations of the United States, Britain and Japan as well as the United Nations. He served as Vice President of the National Cooperative Business Association and Regional Director of the National Cooperative Bank's Western Office. He specializes in funding the capital needs of cooperative housing, and the nonprofit and cooperative development sectors. He was inducted into the Cooperative Hall of Fame in Washington D.C. in May 2010, and continues to work with cooperatives. An excerpt from Cooperatives and the Civil Rights Movement At the epi-center of the cooperative movement in Harlem was a housing cooperative called the Dunbar Apartments. Filling an entire city block, this 511-unit housing cooperative was funded by John D. Rockefeller, Jr. as the first black housing cooperative in the country. When it opened in 1928, on the eve of the Great Depression, the Dunbar was the first home ownership opportunity for blacks in New York City. If the members paid the carrying charges for 22 years, they would own the apartment outright. Those who lived at the Dunbar were a virtual Who's Who of Black America: Countee Cullen, W.E.B. DuBois, Mathew Henson, Langston Hughes, A. Philip Randolph, Paul Robeson, Bill "Bojangles" Robinson, and others.

Mike Houston, General Manager of TPSS Co-op, discusses how the food co-op supported its members throughout the recent Government shutdown. Mike has been the General Manager of TPSS since August of 2018. Prior to joining the Co-op, Mike was Store Manager at Dawson’s Market in Rockville for six years. Not only does Mike have many years of management level experience in the natural food industry, he brings a passion and strong commitment to environmental stewardship. Under his leadership, Dawson’s was awarded the outstanding Leadership in Environmental Practices from the Rockville Mayor and City Council in 2017. Mike also brings a commitment to community and to supporting local suppliers. Dawson’s also received a Community Partnership award in 2015. We believe that Mike will be a great General Manager and are excited to have him on board.

Anthony Demangone, COO of NAFCU (National Association of Federally-Insured Credit Unions) discusses how NAFCU members supported its members throughout the Government shutdown. He also talks about the benefits of co-ops, and invites listeners to consider co-ops as an option for their banking needs. Anthony Demangone is executive vice president and chief operating officer at the National Association of Federal Credit Unions (NAFCU). Demangone oversees day-to-day operations and manages the association’s education, membership, human resources, building facilities, finance and information technology functions. He also authors NAFCU’s executive blog, Musings from the CU Suite. Before assuming the COO position, Demangone served as NAFCU’s vice president of regulatory compliance, where he led a staff of compliance attorneys and managed the day-to-day affairs of NAFCU’s compliance assistance program.

Reverend Graylen Scott Hagler, co-chair of the Washington DC chapter of the Poor People's Campaign, and senior minister of Plymouth Congregational Church in Washngton, DC is interviewed by Vernon Oakes. Vernon and Rev. Hagler discuss the similarities between the Poor People's Campaign and the cooperative movement. They also discuss the history of the Poor Peoples Campaign, how people can become involved in the movement, "Jammin for Justice," "the Bacon Revolt," his arrest for praying on the steps of the Supreme Court on the day that the Court ruled to allow Ohio to purge voters from its voter roles, and how "The People are the Revolution of tomorrow".

Cornelius Blanding, Executive Director, Federation of Southern Cooperatives, Discusses the Impact Government Shutdown on Farmers on Everything Co-op with Vernon Oakes. Unfortunately there are multi-layered effects of the Partial Government Shutdown. Many Black farmers in the Southern Belt stand to possibly even suffer the loss of their land. For those farmers who need to process loans through USDA, PLEASE NOTE that USDA was reopened on January 17, and will be open until January 22, to handle urgent matters. Click on the link to follow for more info: https://www.usda.gov/media/press-releases/2019/01/16/usda-reopen-fsa-offices-limited-services-during-government-shutdown Vernon and Cornelius discuss support that the Federation of Southern Cooperatives Land Assistant Fund, (FSC/LAF)affords to farmers in the states that they represent. The Federation of Southern Cooperatives/Land Assistance Fund, assists limited resource farmers, landowners, and cooperatives across the South with business planning, debt restructuring, marketing expertise, and a whole range of other services to ensure the retention of land ownership and cooperatives as a tool for social and economic justice. The overall mission is to reverse the trend of black land loss and be a catalyst for the development of self supporting communities via cooperative economic development, land retention and advocacy.

Michael A. Peck, Executive Director of 1worker1vote, Pat Conaty, Associate of Co-operatives UK, and Dr. Julian Manley, Chair of the Preston Cooperative Development Network are interviewed on Everything Co-op on January 10, 2019. Vernon and his guests discuss cooperative development in the UK, Belgium and Italy, and the role unions can play in the establishment of cooperatives.

Doug O'Brien, President/CEO; John Torres, VP Public Relations and Communications; and Val Roach, CFO of NCBA CLUSA Discuss Tragic Bus Accident in Uganda on Everything Co-op with Host Vernon Oakes Wednesday, December 19, a bus accident in Uganda claimed the lives of 18 project staff members from InterAction member organization NCBA CLUSA, and three other individuals. Fifteen staff members survived the crash and are receiving medical treatment. The staff worked on NCBA CLUSA's Youth Empowerment Through Agriculture (YETA) project. Co-op would like to express our deepest sympathies to all staff and families of NCBA CLUSA affected by this devastating loss. On Thursday, January 3rd, Everything Co-op dedicated a show to focus on the important work thatis being done in Uganda by NCBA CLUSA, the disaster relief efforts underway, and what the public can do to support those efforts. For anyone wishing to support efforts underway to assist the families of those whose lives were lost, a contribution can be made to the Cooperative Development Foundation's Disaster Recovery Fund. CDF's Disaster Recovery Fund assists cooperatives, families and communities when they are most in need of help. To Donate, Visit CDF at: https://interland3.donorperfect.net/weblink/weblink.aspx?name=E332248&id=38

Jamila Medley, executive director of the Philadelphia Area Cooperative Alliance (PACA)is interviewed on Everything Co-op on December 13, 2018 on Everything Co-op. Host, Vernon Oakes and Jamila discuss how PACA has used the cooperative business model to support businesses, and grow the cooperative economy. They also discuss the structure of PACA and how the organization continues to uncover ways to support their cooperative members organically, as their needs surface. Jamila Medley is a passionate advocate and educator for the advancement and growth of the cooperative economy. Her career has been devoted to supporting mission-based organizations in the nonprofit and cooperative sectors that serve diverse constituencies. In her work with existing and start-up co-ops, she provides support for leadership development, cooperative economics education, navigating group dynamics, and creating adaptive systems to support group process and learning. Medley has been a presenter at several conferences and events, such as: CommonBound, Co-op Impact Conference, and the Sustainable Business Network of Greater Philadelphia's Best Practices Forum. She has presented on a range of topics, including the intersections of race, class, displacement and food co-ops; creating and sustaining democratic workplaces; and building an analysis around relationship-centered cooperative development. Jamila holds a M.S. degree in Organizational Dynamics from the University of Pennsylvania and earned her B.A. degree in Urban Studies from Connecticut College. She is the Philadelphia Community Fellow for the 2018 Shared Economics in Equitable Development Fellowship, serves on the board of directors for Media Mobilizing Project, and also works as a consultant with CDS Consulting Co-op. To learn more about PACA, CDS Consulting Co-op or Jamila Medley visit https://philadelphia.coop/about-us/staff/

Appointed Deputy Mayor for Strategic Policy Initiatives in February 2018, Deputy Mayor Thompson is responsible for spearheading a diverse collection of priority initiatives. He oversees New York City's signature Pre-K for All program, which provides free, high-quality pre-kindergarten to 70,000 four-year olds each year, and the continued expansion of the nation's first-ever 3-K for All. He will also ensure the continued success of the Community Schools, Young Men's Initiatives and ThriveNYC, the nation's most comprehensive approach to mental health. Additionally, the Deputy Mayor has been charged with expanding the city's investment in minority and women-owned businesses, leading the Mayor's comprehensive strategy to encourage greater voter participation and improve the way the city carries out elections, DemocracyNYC. Deputy Mayor Thompson's agency portfolio includes the Department of Youth and Community Development; the Department of Small Business Services; the Commission on Human Rights; the Department of Veterans' Services; the Mayor's Office of Immigrant Affairs; the Mayor's Office for People with Disabilities; the NYC Public Engagement Unit; and the Mayor's Office of Workforce Development. Deputy Mayor Thompson has an extensive background in New York City Government. In 2003 and 2010 he served as an expert on the NYC Charter Revision Commission, and before that served in the Dinkins Administration as the Deputy General Manager for Operations and Development, where his portfolio included the New York City Housing Authority. Before that he had roles as the Director of the Mayor's Office of Housing Coordination as well as the Mayor's Liaison to the NYC Districting Commission. He also served previously an advisor and assistant to the chief of staff in the Manhattan Borough President's Office. Deputy Mayor Thompson received a B.A. in Sociology from Harvard University in 1977, a Masters in Urban Planning from Hunter College in 1986, and a PhD from the City University of New York Graduate Center in 1990.

William Spriggs, Economic and Cooperative Development Director at the Bermuda Economic Development Corporation, is interviewed by Vernon Oakes on the Nationally broadcast radio show, Everything Co-op. Vernon and William discuss his plans to educate the Government and constituents of Bermuda about the value of cooperatives in all sectors. Mr. Spriggs is responsible for a wide range of small and medium sized business socio-economic development projects and programs. He is also responsible for designing the foundational framework for cooperatives to develop and thrive within Bermuda, and is a relative neophyte to the cooperative development space. The British territory island nation that supports some 65,000 people and resides within the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, currently has only 1 true cooperative in the likes of the Bermuda Credit Union. Personally, William enjoys designing study groups to support Bermuda's administrative professionals with passing the Certified Administrative Professional or CAP exam, offered bi-annually by the International Association of Administrative Professionals out of Kansas City, MO; his innovative study strategies to master the IAAP CAP exam body of knowledge have minted 26 new Bermuda CAP awardees to date. William is a Certified Management Accountant and a Certified Administrative Professional.

Vernon Oakes, host of the nationally broadcast radio show Everything Co-op, hosts the show's second Open Mic, to give listeners a chance to give Thanks for their Cooperative Blessings. Since the Spirit of Thanksgiving is all about showing gratitude for a person's good fortune and giving to those who are less fortunate. Listeners were encouraged to "Pay it Forward," and call-in to share how cooperatives have: improved their quality of life; saved them money; improved their financial literacy, standard of living or access to healthy food; provided greater access to products and services, or taught them the principles of living cooperatively. Several callers chimed to discuss how cooperatives have improved their lives.

Vernon Oakes, host of Everything Co-op Interviews Audrey Dickerson, a participant at the National Association of Housing Cooperatives (NAHC) 58th Annual Conference, Lighting the Way: Build for the Future. Each year, NAHC's Annual Conference brings together peers, colleagues and industry experts in cooperative housing to discuss issues and learn how to strengthen cooperative housing. The conference is a premier opportunity to network with Cooperative Board Members, Professional Cooperative Managers, and Industry Professionals such as lawyers, CPAs and leaders who service the housing cooperative community. The National Association of Housing Cooperative's mission is to support and educate existing and new cooperative housing communities as the best and most economical form of home ownership.

Mark Winston Griffith, Executive Director of the Brooklyn Movement Center BMC), and Board member of the Cooperative Economics Alliance of New York City (CEANYC) is interviewed by Vernon Oakes on Everything Co-op. Vernon and Mark discuss the role cooperatives have played in both economic development and ensuring economic justice in Central Brooklyn. They also discuss cooperative strategies he has used to "trap" Black money to keep the dollars spent within the communities for a longer period of time. Mark Winston Griffith is the co-founder and Executive Director of the Brooklyn Movement Center (BMC), a membership-based, community organizing group serving Bedford-Stuyvesant and North Crown Heights. BMC is a multi-issue organization currently building campaigns around public education, food sovereignty, sexualized street harassment and police accountability. Mark currently teaches a graduate course in community organizing at the Murphy Institute. In the early nineties, Mark co-founded the Central Brooklyn Partnership, a community organizing group that focused on economic justice issues, and was co-founder of Central Brooklyn Federal Credit Union, which at the time was the nation's largest black-run, community-based, financial cooperative. Mark currently serves on the leadership boards of the Central Brooklyn Food Coop, the Brooklyn Cooperative Federal Credit Union, the Cooperative Economics Alliance of New York City, the National Black Food and Justice Alliance, the New York City Environmental Justice Alliance, Communities United for Police Reform and Free Speech TV. The Cooperative Economics Alliance of New York City strengthens and expands community-led, democratically-controlled initiatives - from worker, financial and consumer co-ops to community land trusts and gardens, mutual housing, and low-income housing co-ops. The goal of CEANYC is to build an economy based on values of social and racial justice, ecological sustainability, cooperation, mutualism, and democracy.

John Torres, VP of Public Relations and Communication for NCBA CLUSA is interviewed by the host of Everything Co-op, Vernon Oakes on September 27, 2018. John and Vernon discuss NCBA CLUSA's upcoming events: the 2018 Co-op IMPACT Conference and the 2018 Co-op Festival on the National Mall, and the Impact cooperatives have had on the economy. John currently serves as the Vice President of Communication and Public Relations for the National Cooperative Business Association CLUSA International. (NCBA CLUSA) serves as the primary voice in the U.S. for people who use cooperatives to build a better world. NCBA CLUSA provides cross-sector education, support, and advocacy that helps co-ops thrive, with an international development portfolio of over $48 million in active programs in 20 countries. John is a proven strategic communicator with more than 20 years of experience in corporate communication planning and development, crisis communication, and multimedia and social content development. An experienced traveler, John has worked in multi-cultural environments conducting various communication efforts in more than 30 countries. This is a very informative engaging interview that will help people understand the role cooperatives have played in helping to solve many community problems.

Hnin W. Hnin, Executive Director of Cooperative Food Empowerment Directive (CoFED) appeared on Everything Co-op on September 13, 2018, a weekly Nationally broadcast radio show. Vernon and Hnin discussed how CoFED is building the leadership of young people of color at the intersection of food systems change, solidarity and cooperative economics. Hnin W. Hnin is a storyweaver, educator, and facilitator who is guided by the ancestors and mother earth to transform systemic injustices into compost for collective liberation. As the current Executive Director of Cooperative Food Empowerment Directive (CoFED), they design and facilitate transformative experiences where young people of color (un)learn cooperative values and economics through food and land. Rooted in the movements for food justice, solidarity and cooperative economics, and just transitions, Hnin is a 2018 Movement Voices Fellow with New Economy Coalition. They have written for Grist and Civil Eats, been interviewed by Colorlines and Synergy Airwaves, and presented at conferences including Just Food, CommonBound, and Vegan Praxis of Black Lives Matter. Before CoFED, Hnin worked with World Learning as a global human rights educator and held national positions at Slow Food USA and Restaurant Opportunities Centers United, building power to transform the food system. They previously served on the Board of Advisors at CoFED and Southeastern African American Farmers Organic Network (SAAFON). Hnin graduated from Williams College with a degree in Political Economy and International Studies. CoFED partners with college students and administrators to start or scale campus food co-ops with a triple bottom line of food sovereignty, sustainability and social justice. Since 2011 the organization has developed 11 new cooperative projects, trained over 500 students on over 60 campuses, and cultivated a community of nearly 4,000 supporters. CoFED forefront's racial and economic equity at the core of cooperative development.

Cecile Green, co-founder of Round Sky Solutions, and Communications Wizard, Rebecca Fisher-McGinty discuss how the implementation of a collaborative organizational process can impact an organization. Cecile Green, co-founder of Round Sky Solutions, is a visionary, entrepreneur, experiential philosopher, and farmer with a passion for assisting mission driven organizations achieve their visions. As an integral scholar practitioner and life-long learner, she holds a B.S. in Community Supported Agricultural Systems and has over two decades of experience in entrepreneurial environments. She has participated in nearly a dozen organizational launches and built from the ground up four successful businesses. As the innovator of a cutting edge, rapid culture change tool kit, Collab, which effectively converts all kinds of organizational challenges into fuel for the organization, she has been researching and experimenting with questions of power, systems of decision-making, and efficient operations for over 20 years in both academic and experiential arenas. Cecile is the author of the book "Collaboration that Works: A Ruthlessly Practical Handbook for a Generative World," a training manual which summarizes her research and introduces these tools for practical application in organizations. Rebecca Fisher-McGinty, the Communications Wizard, entered the cooperative movement to manifest and better understand her vision for economic justice. She's always had a sense that our current economy and direction is dehumanizing for us all. She completed her bachelors of science in environmental policy at University of California, Berkeley in 2013 and jumped into non-profit work. However, that work simply didn't satisfy the desire to analyze and work toward systemic change. Thus, she is committed to building up, participating in, and depending on "new economy" structures starting with her dedication to her own worker cooperative. She recently began deepening her study and understanding of cooperatives through St. Mary's University Masters of Cooperative Management. She's currently rooted in New Orleans, Louisiana, where she spends her time community organizing for racial justice, participating in cooperative structures (Time Bank & Participatory Budgeting), playing volleyball, and dancing Argentine Tango. Round Sky Solutions works with leaders, aspiring leaders, and organizations that value and want to improve their democratic and collaborative processes in their teams and hone in on their leadership potential. Round Sky is a cooperative that helps teams work more efficiently and inclusively together so they can do the work of their missions. Throughout its learning process, leaders are supported through the intensive and remote Collaborative Leadership Certification Program, coaching, and team based trainings, grounded in the collaborative operating system and processes which are called Collab