Ekvn-Yefolecv Indigenous Convening: The Power of Cultural Revitalization
Ekvn-Yefolecv Indigenous Convening: The Power of Cultural Resilience
By Christopher Audain, Ambitio US Program Officer; Cate Fox, Ambitio US Program Director, and Leeann Wallett, Ambitio US Program Officer
During the last week of October, Cate, Chris, and Leeann from the Ambitio US team attended a convening at Ekvn-Yefolecv (pronounced: Ee Gun Yee Fo Lee Ja), an intentional ecovillage community of Indigenous Maskoke people who have returned to their traditional homelands to practice linguistic, cultural, and ecological sustainability. Designed as a holistic decolonization paradigm shift, residents of the ecovillage are manifesting an off-grid, income-sharing community on 1,206 acres of land with natural building construction, renewable energy, and low-tech integrative regenerative systems. The three-day convening was the largest gathering to date at Ekvn-Yefolecv, and among the attendees were leaders and representatives from roughly 15 Indigenous delegations and four institutional groups, as well as the residents of the eco-village.
Ekvn-Yefolecv is located in Weogufka, Alamba, a city at the southern edge of the Appalachian range. The first day began with a traditional welcome ceremony where the team received some food, presented gifts, and expressed intentions for the visit. Marcus Briggs-Cloud, the co-director of the eco-village, welcomed people from far and wide to share in the preservation of the Maskoke ancestral land, language, and culture, while also supporting and learning from one another. The Maskoke hosts welcomed the team into their ancestral community along with the delegations, some of whom traveled great distances — from as far as Alaska and Hawaii to upstate New York, Mexico, and Ecuador — to share stories about their ancestral lands, cultural resilience, and hope for the future.
After the formal welcoming introduction, the team toured the expansive village, riding in the back of pickup trucks while learning about natural building and integrated systems; language and cultural revitalization; and regenerative agriculture.
Lake sturgeon are a culturally significant species to Maskoke People, but a combination of factors, including the erection of hydroelectric dams in the Coosa River, led to their extirpation. In 2017, residents of Ekvn-Yefolecv traveled to Anishinaabe homelands (what is colonially known as Ontario, Canada) to spawn the fish, and return embryos back to our homelands to be hatched and grown out. On Earth Day in 2020, we released the first group of sturgeon back into the Coosa watershed. ( Ekvn-Yefolecv Website )
The second and third days included deep storytelling and sharing of personal experiences from all the Indigenous attendees. Each group spoke about its own cultural practices and the importance of reimaging land and economic structures to create the conditions for cultural, linguistic, financial, ecological, and spiritual flourishing. Participants remarked on how important it is to share space and time, to learn about each other’s efforts to maintain traditional practices and languages, and pledged to be there for one another. Here are some of our team’s reflections:
Reflections from the Ambitio US Team
This three-day journey riding in the flatbed of a pick-up truck, through the long-needle pines and hills of Appalachia in rural Alabama and Ekvn-Yefolecv was not only a first, but also life-changing. The traditions and ceremonies I experienced solidified the importance of cultural survival and preservation, and how we must foster deep interpersonal relationships in this movement-based work. — Leeann Wallett , Program Officer, Ambitio US The opportunity to be in community with the most mindful, resilient, and intentional leaders has left a huge impact on me and how I understand what all communities need right now. One attendee reminded us that society is defined by how we treat one another — we need more intentional and community space that works to heal our planet and restore our shared humanity. Who better to learn from than Indigenous people who continue to overcome the impossible? To build and sustain new ecosystems, we must believe that anything is possible: and not just possible, but expected. — Christopher Audain , Program Officer, Ambitio US A number of attendees remarked that Ekvn-Yefolecv was like “a dream” that showed what is possible when homelands are rematriated, traditional ways are centered, and mutualistic economic structures are enacted. Sitting in a big circle around the closing fires, I was struck by the fact that even in its experimental building of its own model, Ekvn-Yefolecv has become vital infrastructure for a larger community of Indigenous peoples fighting for cultural, linguistic, ecological, and spiritual survival. Being there felt like the world was starting all over again in ways that gave me hope for the future of us and our planet.” — Cate Fox , Director, Ambitio US
This three-day journey riding in the flatbed of a pick-up truck, through the long-needle pines and hills of Appalachia in rural Alabama and Ekvn-Yefolecv was not only a first, but also life-changing. The traditions and ceremonies I experienced solidified the importance of cultural survival and preservation, and how we must foster deep interpersonal relationships in this movement-based work. — Leeann Wallett , Program Officer, Ambitio US
The opportunity to be in community with the most mindful, resilient, and intentional leaders has left a huge impact on me and how I understand what all communities need right now. One attendee reminded us that society is defined by how we treat one another — we need more intentional and community space that works to heal our planet and restore our shared humanity. Who better to learn from than Indigenous people who continue to overcome the impossible? To build and sustain new ecosystems, we must believe that anything is possible: and not just possible, but expected. — Christopher Audain , Program Officer, Ambitio US
A number of attendees remarked that Ekvn-Yefolecv was like “a dream” that showed what is possible when homelands are rematriated, traditional ways are centered, and mutualistic economic structures are enacted. Sitting in a big circle around the closing fires, I was struck by the fact that even in its experimental building of its own model, Ekvn-Yefolecv has become vital infrastructure for a larger community of Indigenous peoples fighting for cultural, linguistic, ecological, and spiritual survival. Being there felt like the world was starting all over again in ways that gave me hope for the future of us and our planet.” — Cate Fox , Director, Ambitio US
The powerful gathering served as both a source of inspiration for those attending and as a way to strengthen and protect the movement for Indigenous sovereignty and cultural survival. A new world is being built through the legacy of ancestors and the ingenuity of those willing to believe anything is possible.
This article was originally published on Medium. Read it on Medium →
Boston Impact Initiative Fund Manager Cohort Recap
By Cate Fox, Ambitio US Program Director
From November 6–8, Nyia and I were in Boston to attend a gathering of four cohorts of Boston Impact Initiative’s (BII) Emerging Fund Manager program. Ambitio US supported this convening because it offered us an opportunity to hear directly from leaders from community-led and governed place-based funds about their experiences and needs, which is valuable for our sectoral infrastructure work. The convening also connected and reconnected fund managers from all over the country with each other. Leaders from funds like Kheprw Institute located in Indianapolis, neighborbuilt located in Kansas City (MO), and Impact Ventures located in Dallas, often feel isolated in their work, so being together to process the election and its potential effects on structures like theirs and the communities they are working hard to serve felt timely.
Nyia and Ico-facilitated small working sessions on Thursday afternoon and joined the cohort for a joyful dinner at one of BII’s first investments — the Roundhead Brewing Company . At the dinner, I got to know the couple behind Kheprw (Imhotep Adisa and Pambana Uishi), which we have been watching for years; catch-up with Elaine Rasmussen of ConnectUp! Institute; and meet the team at EntrepreNorth (focused on Indigenous populations in Canada).
On Friday, we went to the Law Offices of Morgan Lewis , where funders and investors gathered to receive a State of the Cohort briefing based on the research conducted by Elaine Rasmussen. In her summary of the report, Elaine shared highlights and grounded them in her own experiences of the struggle of making a living and having a life while she builds infrastructure that will benefit so many.
In Ambitio US , we call a gathering like this relational infrastructure-building. Bringing people together, especially in person, reminds our builders that they are part of a larger movement that is full of wisdom and experience and that can help those building now and guide the next generation.
We left feeling inspired and hopeful about what is happening in communities all over the country. The time for investing in projects and people like these, in other words those building new systems, is right now. A true multiracial democracy is not going to build itself.
This article was originally published on Medium. Read it on Medium →
Power In Community
By Hannah Chua, Ambitio US Program Associate, and Cate Fox, Ambitio US Program Director
There are many dimensions to shifting capital, power, and ownership to cultural communities under threat, but at the core of making those important shifts is the underlying belief that those who are closest to the grassroots know best the opportunities and needs of their community and thus the value of community-informed and led funds. A number of years ago, Ambitio US Economic Trailblazer investee, Boston Impact Initiative (BII) , in addition to its own investment funds, launched the Emerging Fund Manager Cohort program. This program has successfully developed and equipped emerging fund managers from historically marginalized communities across the country with tools, infrastructure, and peer network that can help them navigate and thrive in the field of impact investing. After guiding four cohorts through its curriculum, BII is hosting an upcoming in-person convening for the first four cohorts of the Emerging Fund Manager program in November. Ambitio US is excited and grateful for the opportunity to attend and support this important gathering!
The lack of representation and high barrier to entry in the field of impact investing means that there is also a critical lack of perspectives–perspectives that are needed to create culturally responsive support systems that consider the historical and contemporary conditions of extraction and exclusion of marginalized communities in their fund administration. We need the lived experiences of BIPOC and women-identified fund managers to shift practices and make the field of impact investing accountable to the communities it aims to serve (thus shifting power). With less than 10% of the asset management industry comprised of people of color and women-owned firms controlling just under 1% of U.S. assets , BII’s Fund Manager Cohort program plays a critical role in diversifying the landscape, thereby increasing financial support for entrepreneurs from historically marginalized communities, and stimulating the local economies.
Since the program was launched during the pandemic, much of the coursework and activities of the program have been online. The virtual environment has had benefits, but it has also had serious drawbacks for community-building efforts. The upcoming three-day in-person convening, scheduled for November 6–8, 2024, is set to change that. It will feature collective discussions and a grounding in the Boston community (BII’s home), fostering deeper relationships among fund managers, where they can talk candidly about what is going well, what challenges remain, how the field is growing, and what is needed to support that growth.
For us at Ambitio US , 2024 has been a year of deep reflection on the power of relationships and collaboration in the face of systems that seek to divide and conquer. The upcoming gathering solidifies that our strength is in each other by creating a community of practitioners who can be sources of hope, ideas, and strength for one another.
It is incredible and beautiful to see that some of our first investments (e.g., BII , Boston Ujima Project , EB PREC , Ekvn-Yefolecv , and others) are shaping some of our strategies and organizing as Ambitio US begins to consider its sunset and closing investments over the next few years. Together, these trailblazers are not just imagining change — they are making it happen.
You can learn more about the Emerging Fund Manager Cohort program and its participants (including familiar faces from Ambitio US grantees neighborbuilt and Roanhorse Consulting ) here .
This article was originally published on Medium. Read it on Medium →
Podcast Launch: “The Soul of Capital: Models And Changemakers For A Just Economy”
By Nyia Hawkins, Ambitio US Fellow
We’d like to invite you to join us on “ The Soul of Capital ,” on Spotify and Apple Podcasts , as we dive into alternative economic models and hear directly from the changemakers leading them. We’ll also speak the capital stewards, working across philanthropy and impact investing, who are advocating for the initiatives. Creating a more inclusive, sustainable, and equitable economy for all is possible. These entrepreneurs, financial activists, and thought leaders provide insight into the challenges and opportunities those of us working in the field face in creating actionable strategies to build and invest in a world where everyone thrives.
Hosted and produced by Nyia Hawkins , Season 1 is presented in partnership with the Ambitio US initiative at the Center for Cultural Innovation.
Highlights from Recent Episodes:
Artist Turned Property Developer’s $50 Million Plan To Revitalize America’s First Black Neighborhood
Episode 101 features Executive Director of Memphis-based art gallery TONE Victoria Jones . She is part of the visionary property developer team behind a $50 million plan to redevelop Orange Mound Tower located in the first neighborhood built by formerly enslaved persons for Black Americans. They’re starting with the transformation of an abandoned 10-acre industrial site on the Southeast side of town into a mixed-use arts and live-work space.
How To Use the $30 Million Restoration of Clayborn Temple to Jumpstart a new Memphis Economy
Episode 102 features Memphis-based cultural strategist and entrepreneur Anasa Troutman . She is the Executive Director of the 130-year-old Historic Clayborn Temple , where she is leading a $25 million restoration of this National Trust for Historic Preservation-recognized National Treasure. Clayborn Temple served as the base of operations for the 1968 Sanitation Workers’ Strike for civil and labor rights. Her team is tapping into that history to create an anchor for a locally-based restorative economy.
How the Industrial Commons is Rebuilding the Rural Working Class Through Community Wealth
We most recently spoke with North Carolina-based entrepreneur Sara Chester for episode 103. Along with Molly Hemstreet , Sara is the Co-Founder & Co-Executive Director, of The Industrial Commons . They lead a cooperative incubator in rural North Carolina that is helping to rebuild a working class based on locally-rooted wealth. In a region that lost 85% of its textile jobs since 1990, they are leading an economic revitalization effort that empowers workers through ownership, democratic decision-making, and profit-sharing.
This article was originally published on Medium. Read it on Medium →
The Download on the Yale Innovation Summit
By Cate Fox, Ambitio US Program Director
As a cooperative of artists operating a venture studio that invests in other creative projects, Ambitio US investee Midnight Oil Collective (MOC) finds itself constantly challenging economic assumptions. For the second year in a row, MOC curated the Arts and Culture track of the Yale Innovation Summit. This year MOC invited me ( Ambitio US Director, Cate Fox, ) to moderate a panel, “Challenging Economic Assumptions in the Creative Economy”. So, on May 30, 2024, at the Yale School of Management, our panel took the stage to discuss economics, innovation, and creativity.
Jongnic Bontemps, Composer at Bontemps Per Minute , started the panel conversation by pointing out that traditional safety nets have holes that artists often slip through, and business practices (such as royalties and project fees) are getting squeezed. Artists are being expected to do more with less, and it is not sustainable. Emily Roller, Co-Founder of Midnight Oil Collective and Makerstate, Inc. , shared that artists are encouraged to refine and hone their artistic craft, but they are rarely formally taught about the business side of managing their artistic practice. Many artists would welcome the opportunity to learn about business practices and entrepreneurship. After all, business awareness can lead to more creative freedom. [Those interested in this topic can check out CCI’s popular Business of Art (BOA) workshop and book , which is having its last CCI-produced session as we train a new set of trainers outside of our organization to deliver this content.] David Blasher, Executive Director of the MAP Fund , finished our panel’s opening remarks by sharing that financial or market success does not always reflect artistic success. While there are cases that important artistic works (those that influence an artist’s own practice or movements or others in the field) are also financially successful, it can also be the case that creative work doesn’t show a market return but still has an enduring social value or is valuable to an individual (or community’s) practice.
From there we launched into a lively conversation about assumptions we wish people made about the creative economy (examples included the roles creatives can play in reimagining persistent problems and identifying possible solutions — and creatives can use any number of organizational structures, including but not limited to the 501(c)3 — to do their work). The audience had questions and comments on a wide range of topics. At one point, I was standing at the back of the room while the panelists at the front of the room were engaged in a debate and I could see the entire room leaning forward. The next time we asked for questions there were at least ten hands in the air. It was exciting to see how ready people were to be part of the conversation, and it was clear that 60 minutes was not enough time!
It was a rare experience for me to be part of a larger event that featured leading thinkers and investors in health, biotechnology, climate, technology, AND arts and culture. Innovation always includes creativity yet rarely are artists or culture bearers included in these kinds of gatherings. I’m glad the Yale Innovation Summit didn’t let this opportunity pass (and I hope they think about more ways to integrate these topic areas in the future.) Brilliant new ideas could be just around the corner! For this experience, I really appreciated getting a chance to know these amazing colleagues and the invitation from MOC to be part of the Summit.
You can find a full recording of our conversation on the Yale Innovation Summit’s YouTube channel (linked).
What economic assumptions would you challenge about the creative economy? How would you answer that question? Hit us up on the Center for Cultural Innovation LinkedIn with your thoughts!
This article was originally published on Medium. Read it on Medium →
From Erasure to Empowerment: Reflections on AmbitioUS’s Southern Immersive Learning Journey
By Nyia Hawkins, Ambitio US Fellow
During the first week of June, the Ambitio US team, along with 20 aligned funders, Economic Trailblazer grantees, and movement leaders, set out on an ambitious (pun intended) learning journey across two Southern states. Reflecting on the sixth year of the Ambitio US initiative, we embarked on an immersive learning journey to strengthen philanthropy’s relationship infrastructure by exploring the patterns of erasure and exploitation at the root of our economic systems and highlighting efforts to shift cultural and structural approaches toward course correction and repair. As capital stewards, it is crucial to remember our economic roots, both the celebrated and those in need of making amends, to reimagine and invest in our collective future.
Our journey began in Montgomery, Alabama, a pivotal site in Black history and the Civil Rights Movement. On the first night, we gathered over a warm Southern dinner, setting intentions for the transformative journey ahead. The next day, we traveled to the ancestral lands of the Maskoke people at the Ekvn-Yefolecv eco-village. They shared their journey of reclaiming their environmental stewardship role by building a technologically innovative, culturally rich, and ecologically conscious community. We hopped into the back of pickup trucks, watched bison lumber through pastures, and sat down for farm-to-table meals. Many of the attendees described it as a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
The next morning, we visited the Equal Justice Initiative (EJI), often called The Lynching Museum. We explored The Legacy Museum, The National Memorial for Peace and Justice, and the newly opened Freedom Monument Sculpture Park. This part of the tour helped provide historical context and a stark reminder of the enslavement of African peoples and the displacement and genocide of Native Americans, which are at the root of our economic system and the prison-industrial complex.
On Thursday morning, we took an 8-hour bus trip to North Carolina. Here, we toured several sites that are part of The Industrial Commons, a cooperative incubator in a rural area of Appalachia, that is helping to rebuild a working class based on locally rooted wealth. In a region that lost 85% of its textile jobs since 1990, they are leading an economic revitalization effort that empowers textile workers through ownership, democratic decision-making, and profit-sharing.
There are too many lessons and experiences to share. So, here are just a few takeaways:
The Importance of Being Present : Participants who stayed for the entire journey said they had the most fruitful experience. The immersive nature of the trip, combined with the structured learning agenda, created a profound impact that verbal or written descriptions cannot fully capture.
Relational Infrastructure : The emphasis on relationship-building was a key element of the learning journey. The curated group of funders, grantees, and movement leaders, along with the programming, helped break down power dynamics and foster genuine connections.
Making an Impact Through Philanthropy : The journey underscored that philanthropy is most effective when it follows the lead of grassroots movement leaders. Participants discussed the importance of humility, openness, and willingness to learn in supporting financial self-determination and a more equitable economy.
This immersive experience showed that economic systems extend far beyond financial success to include environmental and community well-being. We hope all the attendees can use this experience to build bridges with frontline movement leaders and within their organizations, connecting aligned work and foundation goals that are often hard to establish in an office environment. The Ambitio US team looks forward to our next learning journey, inspired by our grantees, their work, and the lessons we learn together.
This article was originally published on Medium. Read it on Medium →
At the Nexus of Change: Nexus Community Partners and the City of Saint Paul Launch the LOCAL Fund
By Jonathon Freeman, Ambitio US Program Officer
Nexus Community Partners is building on its rich 20-year history of fostering engaged and empowered communities of color with an exciting new partnership. This Ambitio US Economic Trailblazer grantee has been selected by the City of Saint Paul as the partner to launch the LOCAL Fund , a transformative initiative that will bolster worker and real estate investment cooperatives, uplift local communities, and promote economic resilience. Nexus will administer the LOCAL Fund in collaboration with the City of Saint Paul Office of Financial Empowerment. The LOCAL Fund, consisting of two key programs — Worker Ownership and Community Ownership — boasts a substantial investment of $2.5 million. It is exciting and relatively rare to see government entities supporting worker and community power in this way.
Studies have shown the significant positive impact of employee-owned businesses and real estate cooperatives, including increased household net worth, higher wages, and longer job tenure. The LOCAL Fund seeks to harness these benefits for the betterment of Saint Paul. Through the Worker Ownership and Community Ownership programs at Nexus, grants and technical assistance will be provided to support cooperative startups, conversions, and property development. The initiative promises to enrich the community by building wealth, preserving local jobs, and fostering an ownership culture that benefits current and future generations of Saint Paul residents.
The City is right to have confidence in Nexus. Its powerful combination of capacity building, funding support, and community organizing has been recognized and supported by other organizations and foundations as well. Last year, it received a $50,000,000 grant from the Bush Foundation to launch the Open Road Fund, a program that addresses long-standing wealth disparities caused by historical racial injustices. Nexus Community Partners has been able to demonstrate that real impact is possible, especially when resourced appropriately.
The partnership between Nexus Community Partners and the City of Saint Paul to carry out the LOCAL Fund initiative signifies an exciting and important collaborative effort to create a more equitable and prosperous future for Saint Paul. With Nexus at the helm, the journey towards community empowerment has never been more promising. You can learn more about the LOCAL Fund at an upcoming informational session hosted by the Shared Ownership Center on May 30th.
This article was originally published on Medium. Read it on Medium →
Unpacking the Impact: Insights from our ‘Participatory Investing 101’ Workshop
By Nyia Hawkins, Ambitio US Fellow
Earlier this month, Ambitio US hosted its first public convening of the year, “Participatory Investing 101: Moving from Principles to Practice,” marking a significant milestone for the initiative and for me personally as the moderator. We were fortunate to have the expertise and insights of Katheryn Witt, Independent Consultant & Lead for the Participatory Investing Action Lab , and Leslie Lindo, Managing Director of the Olamina Fund at Candide Group . Their expertise and authenticity were invaluable as we explored how personal and professional perspectives on money can profoundly influence investment strategies.
The interactive workshop was designed to unpack the complexities of participatory investing, a strategy that seeks financial returns while championing community engagement and empowerment. Our interactive format, featuring real-time polls and an engaging Q&A session, fostered a lively exchange of ideas and experiences.
I am particularly grateful to Leslie and Katheryn for their openness in sharing their personal relationships with money. These discussions reminded us that behind every financial decision is a person with unique experiences and perspectives. By recognizing and valuing these personal narratives in our professional discussions, we not only humanize financial processes but also strive to create investment practices that genuinely reflect and respect the diverse communities we aim to support.
Leslie shared insights into the initial challenges of shifting mindsets necessary for this work, noting, “… you have to be willing to do it.” Katheryn added to this, highlighting the importance of acknowledging preconceived notions: “One of the things that we’ve talked about in some of the groups I’ve worked with is the power of just identifying and acknowledging what those preconceived notions are and what the culture is that you are working under. Sometimes even just the power of naming it allows folks to dig into it a little bit more.”
As we move forward, I am encouraged by the enthusiasm and engagement that the “Participatory Investing 101” workshop sparked. I hope this event serves as a stepping stone towards a deeper understanding and more impactful investment practices. The momentum is indeed building.
Thank you to everyone who participated, contributed, and supported this event. Your involvement is crucial as we continue to shape a brighter, more inclusive future in philanthropy and finance. Let’s keep this journey going, learning from each other and amplifying our collective impact. The workshop recording will be posted on the Center for Cultural Innovation and Ambitio US websites soon, so stay tuned!
This article was originally published on Medium. Read it on Medium →
Reflections from the 2024 Just Economy Conference
By Nyia Hawkins, Ambitio US Fellow
I recently had the profound pleasure of attending the 2024 Just Economy Conference hosted by the National Community Reinvestment Coalition in Washington, DC. This dynamic gathering brought together 1,200 leaders from community organizations, policymakers, and professionals, all dedicated to fostering equitable economic development. The energy was palpable, with sessions filled to standing-room-only by attendees eager to translate discussions into actionable change.
One of the highlights for me was “The New CRA 101,” a session that delved into the recent updates to the Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) , introduced in late 2023. These significant changes have the potential to redefine how financial institutions can collaborate with us as funders to support and grow our communities substantially. Banks are now encouraged to form partnerships with non-profits and community groups, gaining deeper insights into the needs of the communities they serve. This shift is a game-changer for those of us in the philanthropic sector, as it means our on-the-ground knowledge and experience can now directly influence where and how bank investments are made.
One particularly memorable part of the session was the discussion of historical practices like redlining and community disinvestment that underscored the necessity for modernizing the CRA. Understanding the history of community reinvestment is crucial for anyone looking to drive positive societal change through investment. This knowledge is essential for developing more effective and empathetic investment strategies that genuinely meet the needs of these communities.
The Just Economy Conference was more than just an event — it was a powerful reaffirmation of our shared values and commitments to creating a just economy. I left inspired and motivated, ready to leverage the insights gained to enhance our philanthropic efforts and ensure that our investments make a meaningful impact on those who need it most.
This article was originally published on Medium. Read it on Medium →
The Industrial Commons: Work for the Common Good
By Jonathon Freeman, Ambitio US Program Officer, with contributions from The Industrial Commons
The Industrial Commons is a 501(c)(3) founded in 2015 with a mission to rebuild a diverse working class based on locally rooted wealth. They accomplish their mission by founding and scaling employee-owned social enterprises, creating industry networks, and delivering a suite of workforce development and youth engagement programs.
The Industrial Commons has developed a Rural Wealth Blueprint resulting in the creation of 77 direct quality jobs, 271 businesses supported, and $44 million in total revenue and assets generated for their community in, Western North Carolina. As a cooperative ecosystem development organization, The Industrial Commons takes a holistic and systemic approach to their community’s economic development. They create quality jobs that give workers voice, agency, and dignity, teach job skills for worker success, and organize industrial sectors to bring companies together, thus transforming their rural community through equity, environmental stewardship, and economic opportunity.
TIC’s work has led to a worker-led economic revival that is both local and national. They are now redeveloping a 28-acre site in Morganton to create an Innovation Campus, a hub for textile and furniture manufacturing. The campus will offer shared services and spaces for small and midsize firms. Collectively, they are building upon the region-wide cooperative models in Mondragon, Spain, and Emilia-Romagna, Italy.
They have also created opportunities for people to learn about Morganton’s diverse and complicated history, such as the 1929 Loray Mill Strike, the 1990s poultry workers’ organizing, and the 2000s influx of Latino migrants.
We at Ambitio US are proud to support and learn from The Industrial Commons in their efforts to create a fair and diverse working class that builds local wealth. They have a visionary goal of promoting social enterprises and industrial cooperatives that their employees own, demonstrating that cooperative models can be effective, practical, and scalable ways for communities to strengthen their local economies. If you are interested in more information about The Industrial Commons, be sure to take a look at their wonderful website or better yet, sign up for one of their open house ecosystem tours taking place every other month, with the next one just around the corner on April 10.
This article was originally published on Medium. Read it on Medium →