Everything Co-op with Vernon Oakes

Vernon Oakes, host of Everything Co-op, and Dr. Sutton discuss her research on "Cooperative Cities," and proven strategies to educate legislators on the potential impact of cooperatives on economic development. Stacey Sutton is Assistant Professor of Urban Planning and Policy in the College of Urban Planning and Public Affairs (CUPPA) at the University of Illinois Chicago. Her research focuses on community economic development, economic democracy and equitable development. In a forthcoming study, Stacey examines "Cooperative Cities," specifically how city governments create enabling environments for the development and sustainability of worker-owned cooperatives, as well as potential limits of local state involvement in the cooperative movement. Stacey has also published research on race and gentrification, commercial revitalization, and the disparate impact of punitive city policies, such as tickets, fines and fees. Stacey holds a Ph.D. in Urban Planning and in Sociology from Rutgers University, a MBA from New York University, and a BA from Loyola University in Baltimore

Helen Rosenthal, Council Member for the 6th District of the New York City Council appears on Everything Co-op on October 11, 2018. Vernon and Ms. Rosenthal will her advocacy in support of worker cooperatives on the New York City Council, and the steps that were taken to ensure that legislation that was passed was enforced. Helen Rosenthal represents New York City's 6th Council District, encompassing the upper West Side in the New York City. She is a leading voice on issues of accessibility, civic engagement, affordable housing, pedestrian safety, the environment, and gender equity. She has also been a strong advocate for leading the city council to provide funds to support worker owner cooperatives. As Chair of the Contracts Committee from 2013 to 2017, Helen fought successfully to increase funding for the hundreds of nonprofit social service providers who serve 2.5 million New Yorkers, yet are chronically underpaid. Helen also played a leading role in the recent passage of 19 bills that provide greater protections for tenants against harassment and unsafe conditions. This includes Helen's groundbreaking legislation creating an "Office of the Tenant Advocate" within the NYC Department of Buildings. In 2018, Helen was named Chair of the City Council's Committee on Women. She is also co-chair of the Manhattan Delegation, and a member of the Council's Budget Negotiating Team. Helen serves on the following Council Committees: Civil and Human Rights; Contracts; Economic Development; Finance; and Housing and Buildings.

Co-op Festival

Steve Dubb, senior editor at The Nonprofit Quarterly, (NPQ) by Everything Co-op

Members and Affiliates of The Federation of Southern Cooperatives and the 51st Anniversary Meeting by Everything Co-op

This Broadcast of Everything Co-op, a National weekly show, features interviews from the first "On the Road" interviews recorded at National Cooperative Bank's recent Board meeting, which was held at the flagship REI store in Seattle, Washington. Vernon joined Chuck Snyder, NCB President, Martin Lowery, NCB Board Chair, and a host of Board members for the organization's Board Meeting. NCB has sponsored Everything Co-op since its inception. Vernon Oakes, and the staff of Everything Co-op are proud to be affiliated with such a purposeful organization. National Cooperative Bank provides comprehensive banking products and services to cooperatives and other member-owned organizations throughout the country. What makes NCB unique is that the bank was created to address the financial needs of an under served market niche, --people who join together cooperatively to meet personal, social or business needs, especially in low-income communities. NCB's customers are cooperatives, such as grocery wholesaler co-ops, food co-ops, purchasing co-ops, credit unions or housing co-ops. Other customers share in the spirit of cooperation, driven by democratic organizing principles. They may be Native American enterprises, which by their very nature, are member-run and member-owned. Others may be community health centers or nonprofit organizations driven entirely by community needs. What they all have in common is a single fundamental principle - they have joined together cooperatively to meet personal, social, and/or business needs.

Vernon Oakes takes the show on the road to the Federation of Southern Cooperatives/Land Assistance Fund's 51st Annual Meeting. Vernon interviews Cornelius Blanding, Executive Director of the Federation, and Bruce Harold. Vernon and his guests discuss initiatives and accomplishments of the organization, initiatives that have been spearheaded by the federation to help its members, and the contributions of Ralph Paige, long-time advocate and former Executive Director of FAS/LAF, who made his transition on June 28, 2018. Blanding assumed the position of Executive Director in March of 2015, and has worked with the Federation for the past 20 years. He has worked in various program and leadership capacities to propel the organization and its membership forward. Immediately prior to his appointment he served as the Federation's Deputy Director. Mr. Harold is the outreach specialist for Louisiana. The Federation of Southern Cooperatives/Land Assistance Fund (FAS/LAF) will hold its 51st Annual Meeting and 17th Estelle Witherspoon Life Achievement Award Dinner beginning in Birmingham, Alabama on August 16 and ending in Epes, Alabama on August 18. The FAS/LAF has worked for more than half a century to reverse the trend of African American land loss and spur land-based economic development. At this year's event a special tribute will be presented in honor of Ralph Paige, former Executive Director and long-time advocate of the FSC/LAF.

Vernon Oakes and John Holdsclaw honor the memory of Ralph Paige, with many listeners, who call into the Everything Co-op to pay tribute to this tireless Civil Rights leader. Mr. Paige was the former director of the Federation of Southern Cooperatives. He was a consummate advocate for disenfranchised farmers, worked tirelessly to keep families and farmers on their land, and constantly promoted a more just system of agriculture. Mr. Paige played a major role in creating cooperatives encompassing many sectors, including: credit unions, agricultural, housing and worker cooperatives and alternative agricultural development for minority farmers. He worked for the Federation for more than 45 years from 1969, and served as Executive Director for thirty years from 1985 to 2015. Initially, Mr. Paige worked as a field organizer developing cooperatives among family farmers and rural residents in Georgia and throughout the South. He led measures to secure new public and private resources to support cooperative development, and in the 1970s, he served as director of the Federation's Business Development Office. From 1977-1981, Mr. Paige served as director of the Federation's VISTA project involving over 100 volunteers at 60 cooperative and credit union sites. He then became the national field director of the Federation/LAF. During his leadership, the Federation received the Martin Luther King, Jr., Humanitarian Award; a United Nations award for significant contribution of shelter to the poorer segments of the community; and the first Fannie Mae "Excellence in Low Income Housing Development Award." Mr. Paige studied extensively at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He received his bachelor's degree in education from Fort Valley State University in Georgia. Mr. Paige retired as Executive Director of the Federation of Southern Cooperatives on February 28, 2015. Shortly after his retirement he received the 'Stanley Dreyer- Spirit of Cooperation Award' from the National Cooperative Bank (NCB) at their annual meet in in Washington, D. C. This is the highest award conferred by NCB for a person with a lifetime of achievement with cooperatives. Certainly his contributions shall be felt in the cooperative world for many years to come.

Malik Kenyatta Yakini, Director, Detroit Peoples Black Community Food Security Network is interviewed by Vernon Oakes, host of Everything Co-op. Vernon and Malik discuss initiatives of the Detroit Peoples Food Co-op, and the journey his organization has taken to establish a food cooperative, while raising funds to purchase the building for the co-op and serving as the developer for the building Malik Kenyatta Yakini is an activist and educator who is committed to freedom and justice for African people in particular and humanity in general. Yakini is a co-founder and the Executive Director of the Detroit Black Community Food Security Network, which operates a seven-acre farm in Detroit and spearheaded efforts to establish the Detroit Food Policy Council, which he chaired from December 2009 - May 2012. He served as a member of the Michigan Food Policy Council from 2008 - 2010. From 2011 - 2013 he served on the steering committee of Uprooting Racism Planting Justice. He is a co-founder and on the leadership team of the National Black Food and Justice Alliance. Malik has an intense interest in contributing to the development of an international food sovereignty movement that embraces Blacks farmers in the Americas, the Caribbean and Africa. He views the "good food revolution" as part of the larger movement for freedom, justice and equality. To that end, he has sought opportunities to educate the public and currently serves as the C.E.O. of Black Star Educational Management.

Stuart Reid, Executive Director of Food Co-op Initiative (FCI), appears on Everything Co-op. Vernon and Stuart discuss how FCI works with communities to establish food Cooperatives in diverse neighborhoods, and other programs and initiative spearheaded by FCI. Stuart Reid has been working in the grocery business for more than 40 years, and has been part of FCI since its earliest years. He began his career in grocery as a carry-out and stock clerk for the Windom, Minnesota Hy-Vee store back in 1972. Since then he has volunteered, co-managed, managed and served on the boards of many food co-ops, worked for the co-op-owned DANCe warehouse, and helped open the Just Food Co-op in Northfield as their first general manager. FCI aims to increase the number, success, and sustainability of new food cooperatives delivering access to healthy food in diverse communities across this country. It provides information, training, and technical assistance, as well as seed capital, and engages in research, to blaze, maintain and improve the development path for new food coops.

Gary Pittsford, CFP®, President of Castle Wealth Advisors, appears on Everything Co-op. Vernon and Gary discuss succession planning, the transition from individual ownership to worker owned businesses, and the world of purchasing co-ops. Castle Wealth Advisors is a private wealth management firm based in Indianapolis, IN. For 45 years, Gary has worked with hundreds of family business owners in all 50 states, helping them with retirement and estate planning strategies to protect their businesses and their net worth, as well as providing one on one business consulting, business valuations and succession planning. Gary is deeply involved with the National Cooperative Business Association in Washington, D.C. and is a member of the US Chamber of Commerce Small Business Council. Over the years Gary has worked with dozens of co-op organizations and he continues to help them by providing convention speeches, monthly newsletters, webinars, educational videos, and most recently a book titled "Your Family Business, Your Family Net Worth," available on Amazon.com.

Vernon Interview Roger Green, one of the key organizers of "The Coalition to Transform Interfaith," formerly know at the "Save Interfaith Coalition." The Coalition's work has resulted in a multi-hospital network in underserved communities self-transforming into worker and union cooperative facilitating, regenerative institutions. It has been predicted that the Vital Brooklyn movement will bequeath a transformational healthcare template that will unsettle America's healthcare sector. The Coalition is a group of community members and health care union representatives, participated in the drafting of Northwell's transformation plan. Vernon and Roger discuss the components of the plan, and economic innovations that were implemented to ensure that a portion of the $40 Billion of consumables and services are supplied by businesses within the local community. Roger previously served in the NY State Assembly for over 25 years and was the campaign chair for Jesse Jackson's Presidential campaigns. He also has been a distinguished president at Medgar Evers college, part of the CUNY (City University of New York) system, and is a strong supporter of economic democracy.

Sheella Mierson, a founding member of The Sociocracy Consulting Group is interviewed by host of Everything Co-op, Vernon Oakes. Vernon and Sheella discuss sociocracy, a whole systems approach to collaborative decision-making, and how it creates more inclusive and effective organizations, where no voice can be ignored. Sheella specializes in helping companies and organizations unleash their creativity and increase productivity. She helps organizations implement Sociocracy in support of their strategic goals, and to create adaptive and effective organizations where all members' voices matter. In addition to being a Sociocracy Consultant, she is a Certified Facilitator for the Blueprint of We Collaboration Process, used to build trust, creativity, effortlessness, and resilience in relationships. Sheella draws on broad experience as a teacher, business trainer, facilitator, and organizational consultant. Initially trained as a biophysicist, she became skilled at fostering collaborative teamwork in both research and classroom environments and has published articles on highly interactive methods of teaching in academic and business settings. After a career in science, she shifted from laboratory research to the people skills that deeply impact the outcomes of scientific ventures. Sheella incorporated Sociocracy into her consulting practice as the most effective method for making decisions and for creating cultures that support strong collaborative skills. She has worked with clients across several continents in the pharmaceutical, insurance, financial, apparel, service, and health care industries, as well as in education, government, and the nonprofit sector. Find out more about Sheella, and The Sociocracy Consulting Group at www.sociocracyconsulting.com

Marla Bilonick, Executive Director; and Karina Mendoza, Small Business Coach, of the Latino Economic Development Center, (LEDC), appear on Everything Co-op. Vernon, Marla and Karina discuss how LEDC's programs comport with the cooperative business model. They also discuss how the Center works cooperatively within their communities to help Latinas and other underserved populations build wealth.

Vernon Oakes, host of Everything Co-op shares a commentary on Cooperative events and conferences that occurred during the week of the 2018 Cooperative Hall of Fame Awards Ceremony. He also discusses the cooperative principles and values. Vernon Oakes is President of Oakes Management Inc. As President, he has renovated and managed his own properties, and those owned by other entities since 1985. Vernon is the immediate Past President of the National Association of Housing Cooperatives, and serves on several boards to advance the interests of cooperatives. He formerly served as coordinator of the MBA program at Howard University, and is an MBA graduate of Stanford University. Vernon has used his business acumen to benefit the community by providing quality housing across all populations, and is a consummate advocate for cooperatives.

On May 17, 2018, Vernon Oakes, host of Everything Co-op interviews Rudy Hanley, retired President and CEO of SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union, and 2018 inductee to the Cooperative Hall of Fame. Vernon and Rudy discuss how he became involved in the cooperative movement, and how credit unions can impact communities. Mr. Hanley began his illustrious co-op career as an attorney for the Credit Union National Association (CUNA), where he became an advocate for the co-op model, successfully defending credit unions' tax-exempt status. Hanley continued to defend credit unions throughout his career, both on Capitol Hill and in the California Statehouse. Following his work at CUNA, Hanley lead the research and development department of the California Credit Union League. He joined SchoolsFirst FCU in 1982. For 31 years, Hanley led SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union, which grew under his direction from a single location with $150 million in assets into the largest U.S. credit union for school employees, with 45 branches in California, $10 billion in assets and 600,000 members. Hanley embraced innovative technologies, bringing ATMs and other electronic services to the membership and co-founded an organization to research and develop technology solutions for credit unions. On May 2, 2018, Rudy Hanley was inducted into the Cooperative Hall of Fame, the most distinguished honor in the cooperative community.

In honor of Paul Bradley’s Inductee into the 2018 Cooperative Hall of Fame, five of ROC USA’s Association Directors appeared on Everything Co-op on May 3, 2018. Lois Parris, Colleen Preston, Natividad Seefeld, Kim Capen and Lorie Cahill discussed how programs and projects implemented by ROC USA have impacted their manufactured communities. They also discussed the value, importance and difference that being a cooperative has had on both their lives and their homes.

During March Everything Co-op celebrates Women's History Month by focusing on the theme selected by the National Women's History Project. The theme for 2018 is, "Nevertheless She Persisted: Honoring Women Who Fight For All Forms of Discrimination Against Women." This week Vernon honors Carla Decker, President/CEO of DC Federal Credit Union. Carla Decker joined District Government Employees (DC) Federal Credit Union as President/CEO in 2001. Chartered as an employer-based credit union, DGEFCU later acquired a community charter intended on serving the Latino population in Washington, D.C. Carla advanced DGEFCU's community charter through ACCESO, an innovative collaborative and credit union service organization that linked multiple credit unions in addressing the financial needs of the local immigrant and under-served community. Under her leadership, DGEFCU attained the designations of Low Income Credit Union and Community Development Financial Institution. Prior to joining DGEFCU, Carla held various financial and operational management posts in tenures with PAHO/WHO Federal Credit Union and Transportation Federal Credit Union. Carla currently serves on the boards of the National Federation of Community Development Credit Unions, the Cooperative Development Foundation, and the National Cooperative Business Association & Cooperative League of the U.S.A. (NCBA/CLUSA). She is the U.S.A.'s delegate to the Board of the Co-operatives of the Americas, a Region of the International Co-operative Alliance (ICA). Carla also designs and delivers curriculum to the Caribbean Credit Union Development Education program.

Vernon interviews Rosemary Mahoney, Principal of Mahoney Consulting, LLC, and 2018 inductee to the Cooperative Hall of Fame. Vernon and Rosemary will discuss best practices in cooperative development, and her 30-year career as a co-op developer. Ms. Mahoney is Principal of Mahoney Consulting, LLC, where she works as an independent consultant on cooperative development and community projects. She is the former CEO of CoopMetrics, and has worked as a consultant on international cooperative development projects and cooperative business development projects. She was a founding partner of MainStreet Cooperative Group, LLC, director of New Venture Development for Cooperative Solutions, LLC, executive director of Cooperative Development Services (CDS) and Regional Director for Volunteers in Overseas Cooperative Assistance in the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Hungary. Mahoney has long advocated the community development potential of 'hybrid' cooperatives and was the founding chair of CooperationWorks! Board. She helped launch Blue Hawk Distributor Cooperative, which serves independent heating and air conditioning businesses, and for several years coordinated the Purchasing Cooperative Conference with the support of the National Cooperative Bank and NCBA CLUSA. Mahoney continues to serve as a senior advisor at CoMetrics and has served on or is serving on more than 13 boards, including The Cooperative Foundation, NCBA CLUSA, Capital Impact Partners, National Cooperative Bank, dotCoop and CooperationWorks!.

​Vernon Interviews Marilyn, Retired Manager of CDS Consulting. Vernon and Marilyn discuss best practices for forming co-ops, CoMetrics, the Co-op Management Institute, her experience as a cooperator, and her upcoming induction into the Cooperative Hall of Fame. Marilyn Scholl has played a prominent leadership role in nearly every major development in the U.S. food co-op sector since she took her first co-op job at Gordon Park Cooperative in Milwaukee in 1978. Working at the University of Wisconsin Center for Cooperatives, Scholl organized education programs and conferences for co-ops. Focusing on the challenges of business sustainability, membership care and strategic planning, Scholl helped create the Cooperative Management Institute. She later led a food co-op consulting team that became CDS Consulting Co-op, a group of 38 people dedicated to helping co-ops reach their full potential. Seeing the need for systematic governance at food co-ops, Scholl and her CDS CC colleagues developed the Cooperative Board Leadership Development program to provide ongoing support for effective governance and built the 4 Pillars of Cooperative Governance model. With the help of National Cooperative Bank and the National Co+op Grocers, Scholl's team created a small grants program for start-ups that became Food Co-op Initiative, a non-profit supporting the opening of more than 130 new food co-ops. She was one of the creators of the food co-op development model 4 Cornerstones in 3 Stages. In 2004, Scholl led the project team that developed the reorganization plan for the National Cooperative Grocers Association. Today National Co+op Grocers represents 148 co-ops operating more than 200 stores in 37 states. Recently retired as manager of CDS Consulting Cooperative, Scholl continues to be a member and consultant at CDS CC; she also serves on the boards of Cooperative Fund of New England and Food Co-op Initiative.

Christina Jennings has worked in community development finance and microfinance in the US and internationally for twenty years. Since 2008, Christina has been Executive Director of Shared Capital Cooperative, a national CDFI loan fund that works to build a democratic economy by investing in cooperative businesses and housing. Based in Minneapolis-St. Paul, Shared Capital was founded 40 years ago and operated under the name Northcountry Cooperative Development Fund until 2015. Shared Capital is cooperatively owned and governed by more than 225 cooperatives in 35 states that borrow from and invest in the fund. To learn more about Shared Capital Cooperative visit their website at www.sharedcapital.coop

Frankie Harris, Member of Ujamaa Collective, is Interviewed by Everything Co-op Host, Vernon Oakes by Everything Co-op

Marjaana Saarikoski, Director of Cooperative Affairs and Partnerships at SOK Corporation, and Vice Chair of The Alliance Gender Equality Committee, is interviewed by Vernon Oakes, host of Everything Co-op in honor of Women's History Month. Ms. Saarikoski has been with S Group since 1983 in various leadership positions in sales, marketing, chain/ concept management and its customer loyalty program. She has wide business experience of retailing and cooperation with various stakeholders, and is currently a member of on the International Co-operative Alliance, (ICA) Board of Directors. Ms. Saarikoski has received several honors and acknowledgements in the Cooperative sector. She states: “I believe that the cooperative movement is a flourishing business model for the future, and in working together more deeply in new ways we are able to build a better world.”

In observance of Black History Month, Vernon Oakes, host of Everything Co-op discusses the revitalization of the poor peoples campaign, originally introduced by Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King. He discusses the 10 Reasons that people should join the campaign today, as written by Rev. Theoharris, who is the Co-Chair of todays campaign with Rev. William Barber.

Jessica Gordon Nembhard, Ph.D., Professor of Community Justice and Social Economic Development, and author of Collective Courage: A History of African American Cooperative Economic Thought and Practice discusses the her book and upcoming projects with host, Vernon Oakes on Everything Co-op. During February, Everything Co-op celebrates Black History Month by focusing on the Association for the Study of African American Life and History's Theme. This year's theme is "African Americans in Times of War." Given the extensive research that Dr. Gordon Nembhard has conducted on the involvement of African Americans in Cooperatives in the Post Civil War Era, it was quite appropriate to have her return to Everything Co-op to discuss her findings and future projects. Dr. Gordon Nembhard, is a cooperative ambassador, economist and community economic development expert. 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. Her research has focused on community and asset-based economic development and democratic community economics; cooperative economics and worker ownership; racial and economic wealth inequality and wealth accumulation in communities of color, and alternative urban economic and youth educational development strategies. Her future research and policy analyses will connect community-based economic development, asset building, and economic justice strategies with community-based approaches to justice.

Everything Co-op, is a radio show that airs on WOL, Radio One's premiere talk show station. The show features people who have influenced or participated in the advancement of the cooperative business model to change lives and/or help people to leverage cooperation, for the betterment of others.

Everything Co-op, is a radio show that airs on WOL, Radio One's premiere talk show station. The show features people who have influenced or participated in the advancement of the cooperative business model to change lives and/or help people to leverage cooperation, for the betterment of others.

Everything Co-op, is a radio show that airs on WOL, Radio One's premiere talk show station. The show features people who have influenced or participated in the advancement of the cooperative business model to change lives and/or help people to leverage cooperation, for the betterment of others.

Everything Co-op, is a radio show that airs on WOL, Radio One's premiere talk show station. The show features people who have influenced or participated in the advancement of the cooperative business model to change lives and/or help people to leverage cooperation, for the betterment of others.

Everything Co-op, is a radio show that airs on WOL, Radio One's premiere talk show station. The show features people who have influenced or participated in the advancement of the cooperative business model to change lives and/or help people to leverage cooperation, for the betterment of others.

Everything Co-op, is a radio show that airs on WOL, Radio One's premiere talk show station. The show features people who have influenced or participated in the advancement of the cooperative business model to change lives and/or help people to leverage cooperation, for the betterment of others.

Everything Co-op, is a radio show that airs on WOL, Radio One's premiere talk show station. The show features people who have influenced or participated in the advancement of the cooperative business model to change lives and/or help people to leverage cooperation, for the betterment of others.

Everything Co-op, is a radio show that airs on WOL, Radio One's premiere talk show station. The show features people who have influenced or participated in the advancement of the cooperative business model to change lives and/or help people to leverage cooperation, for the betterment of others.

Everything Co-op, is a radio show that airs on WOL, Radio One's premiere talk show station. The show features people who have influenced or participated in the advancement of the cooperative business model to change lives and/or help people to leverage cooperation, for the betterment of others.

Everything Co-op, is a radio show that airs on WOL, Radio One's premiere talk show station. The show features people who have influenced or participated in the advancement of the cooperative business model to change lives and/or help people to leverage cooperation, for the betterment of others.

Everything Co-op, is a radio show that airs on WOL, Radio One's premiere talk show station. The show features people who have influenced or participated in the advancement of the cooperative business model to change lives and/or help people to leverage cooperation, for the betterment of others.

Everything Co-op, is a radio show that airs on WOL, Radio One's premiere talk show station. The show features people who have influenced or participated in the advancement of the cooperative business model to change lives and/or help people to leverage cooperation, for the betterment of others.

Everything Co-op, is a radio show that airs on WOL, Radio One's premiere talk show station. The show features people who have influenced or participated in the advancement of the cooperative business model to change lives and/or help people to leverage cooperation, for the betterment of others.

Everything Co-op, is a radio show that airs on WOL, Radio One's premiere talk show station. The show features people who have influenced or participated in the advancement of the cooperative business model to change lives and/or help people to leverage cooperation, for the betterment of others.

Everything Co-op, is a radio show that airs on WOL, Radio One's premiere talk show station. The show features people who have influenced or participated in the advancement of the cooperative business model to change lives and/or help people to leverage cooperation, for the betterment of others.

Everything Co-op, is a radio show that airs on WOL, Radio One's premiere talk show station. The show features people who have influenced or participated in the advancement of the cooperative business model to change lives and/or help people to leverage cooperation, for the betterment of others.

Everything Co-op, is a radio show that airs on WOL, Radio One's premiere talk show station. The show features people who have influenced or participated in the advancement of the cooperative business model to change lives and/or help people to leverage cooperation, for the betterment of others.

Everything Co-op, is a radio show that airs on WOL, Radio One's premiere talk show station. The show features people who have influenced or participated in the advancement of the cooperative business model to change lives and/or help people to leverage cooperation, for the betterment of others.

Everything Co-op, is a radio show that airs on WOL, Radio One's premiere talk show station. The show features people who have influenced or participated in the advancement of the cooperative business model to change lives and/or help people to leverage cooperation, for the betterment of others.

Everything Co-op, is a radio show that airs on WOL, Radio One's premiere talk show station. The show features people who have influenced or participated in the advancement of the cooperative business model to change lives and/or help people to leverage cooperation, for the betterment of others.

Thanksgiving Day is a national holiday celebrated in Canada, in the United States, in some of the Caribbean islands and in Liberia. It was originally celebrated as a day of giving thanks for the blessing of the harvest and of the preceding year. On Thanksgiving, Vernon hosted Everything Co-op's first Open Mic, to give cooperatives, and the public a chance to give Thanks for their Cooperative Blessings. Several listeners called in to talk about their appreciation as consumers of cooperative businesses. However, Vernon took the opportunity to actually give an overview of the seven guiding principles of cooperatives. So, if you ever wanted to take a Co-op 101 course, then look no further. You only have to listen to this show. Vernon Oakes is President of Oakes Management Inc. As President, he has renovated and managed his own properties, and those owned by other entities since 1985. Mr. Oakes is the immediate Past President of the National Association of Housing Cooperatives, and serves on several boards to advance the interests of cooperatives. He formerly served as coordinator of the MBA program at Howard University, and is an MBA graduate of Stanford University, who has used his business acumen to benefit the community by providing quality housing for all populations. Vernon is a consummate advocate for cooperatives. Everything Co-ops staff wishes Everyone a wonderful holiday season, and we Thank You for your support!

Vernon and Joe discuss the origins of GreenStar; the structure of the business, and its road to success. They also discuss Greenleaf's conversion to solar energy and many, the prospective opening of their new store, and the importance of participating in the upcoming Presidential election. Joe Romano has been the Marketing Manager at GreenStar Natural Foods Market for over a decade. Before his tenure at GreenStar, Joe worked in film and television in NYC for 20 years. Before that, he taught English Literature and Creative Writing at the City University of New York. He has a wife, a daughter and two cats, (in that order), and currently resides in Ithaca, NY. GreenStar Natural Foods Market was created by its members to successfully operate stores with a triple bottom line. The company holds profit, people and our planet as its primary concerns. The company supports the principles of fair wages and fair trade. Employees are paid fair wages and offer health benefits to employees who work 20 or more hours. Many of the goods and products that are sold are purchased locally and farmers and partners are paid fair wages. GreenStar is also committed to: cooperative principles and cooperation with other co-ops keeping prices as low as reasonable, community involvement and education, and cooperation with other co-ops and like-minded organizations are the guideposts we follow as cooperators.

Vernon Oakes, Host of Everything Co-op, continues his evaluation of the 2016 Presidential Candidates as it relates to cooperative values and principles. Vernon takes the grades that were assigned to candidates during the previous discussion, and extends his evaluation based on the actions and platforms of the 2016 Presidential Candidates.

Gina Schaefer Co-Founder & CEO of 11 ACE Hardware Stores appears on Everything Co-op. Vernon and Gina discuss the evolution of her business, how she and her husband Marc have integrated cooperative principles into their business practices, and how they have been able to open 11 stores in several markets in twelve years. 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 240 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 the Ace Hardware Corporation and CCA Global Partners, Inc. Board of Directors and is a member of the Ace Center for Excellence. She also serves on the non-profit boards of House of Ruth, Jubilee Jobs, and the Institute for Local Self-Reliance.

Vernon Interviews Nikki Thompson and Judy Davis, Managers of GLUT Food Cooperative Vernon interviews Judy, a manager at GLUT Food Co-op. Vernon and Judy will discuss the structure of the cooperative, the value it brings to the community, and the area of the store she manages. Judy has been managing the Health and Beauty section of the store for more than 35 years. She orders everything from Essential Oils, Shea butter and Zuresh body cleansers to shampoo and Eco-friendly household cleaners. Nikki has been around Glut for a while. She orders a wide variety of snacks, cookies, crackers, pasta (including bulk pasta), chocolate, cereal, and packaged grains and mixes. Her section has a large number of flavors and options that our customers like, which are rotated depending price variations. Judy is joined by 11 other collective members each of whom manages a different section of the store. GLUT is a not-for-profit charitable trust, democratically managed by a collective. However, everyone is welcome to shop at GLUT Food Co-op, no membership or special card is required! The store carries quality vegetarian foods that are sold at reasonable prices. Among the store's specialties are organic and local produce, cheese and bulk department, where you will find grains, beans, nuts, seeds, dried fruit, baking supplies, granola, coffee, herbs and spices, pasta and more. The store also offers environmentally friendly health and beauty products, food supplements, vitamins and sundries. The Collective supports local and/or organic enterprises over conglomerates and agribusiness whenever possible. Glut has also traditionally supported peace, environmental and social justice movements.