Everything Co-op With Vernon Oakes

Mo Manklang, Communications Director at the U.S. Federation of Worker Cooperatives discusses the Federations response to the COVID-19 Pandemic, and feedback received from it members regarding how they are fairing. Mo also shares information regarding virtual offerings that are available to support cooperators including solidarity sessions, and worker cooperative information sessions. Mo Manklang is the Communications Director for the U.S. Federation of Worker Cooperatives. She leads policy efforts at the federal level, works with its membership on state and local initiatives, and heads up health benefits initiatives. She has been convening people in cooperatives and social impact for the past twelve years in a variety of roles, including five years with local news and events group Generocity.org. Mo is a founding board member of the Philadelphia Area Cooperative Alliance, the Media and Marketing Committee of the Kensington Community Food Co-op, the Policy Committee of the Sustainable Business Network. She is

For more than 4o years Ben Burkett has made his mark on his community and the world as a farmer, advocate and cooperative organizer for southern Black farmers. After graduating from Alcorn State University, he carried on his family legacy, and became a fourth-generation farmer in Petal, Mississippi. Vernon and Ben discuss his experiences as both a farmer, and advocate for farmers in the Black Belt. Ben Burkett has been a tireless activist, and visionary leader, who has helped farmers in rural Mississippi gain access to federal and state programs; expand their distribution; and gain access to technical assistance that allowed them to qualify for USDA farm programs. Ben also Organized neighboring farm families to expand markets denied them because of ingrained discrimination, and helped farmers preserve land ownership and optimize its agricultural use. While continuing to farm and serve as a local co-op leader, in 1978 Ben joined the staff of the Emergency Land Fund (ELF), a non-profit whose mission was

Christina Jennings, Executive Director at Shared Capital Cooperative, and Rachel Battles of Happy Earth Cleaning discuss how Shared Capital has helped it's cooperative members to navigate through the multilayered impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Christina has worked for 22 years in community development, finance and microfinance in the US and internationally. Since 2008, she 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 250 cooperatives in 35 states that borrow from and invest in the fund.

David Hincapie, Economic Development Specialist at U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA); John Holdsclaw IV, Senior VP of Corporate Affairs at National Cooperative Bank (NCB); and Esteban Kelly, Executive Director, and Mo Manklang, Communications Director with the U.S. Federation of Worker Cooperatives talk about COVID-19 response on Everything Co-op. Vernon and his guests will discuss loan programs available in response to COVID-19, and the role worker cooperatives can play as we work though and establish recovery plans. During the first segment David Hincapie discuss SBA's Economic Injury Disaster Loan, and Paycheck Protection Program updates. In the second segment John Holdsclaw IV and Esteban Kelly, share how their organizations are responding to the pandemic, and in the third segment Mo Manklang joins the discussion to talk about the communications strategies that have been implemented by the U.S. Federation of Worker Cooperatives to keep its members property informed.

Michael Alden Peck Discusses the Impact of COVID-19 and Next Steps for Recovery. From the paradigm shift that will inevitably occur in how we pay and view essential workers; to the revelations about the inequities that exist in our economy; to the consideration of the need to make the U S Postal Service a Worker Cooperative, and ultimately the resolution to abandon the trickle-down economic structure and create a Gusher-up (Bottom-up) economy. Michael is co-founder of 1worker1vote, and The Virtuous Cycle Collaboratory. In response to COVID-19, he became part of a team that is co-imagining/co-launching the People's Rising Sunshine Exchange (PRSE) - a digital platform for micro PPE purchases on behalf of front-line healthcare, home-care and emergency response workers - helping to save lives at risk of those saving others. Earlier this year, Michael co-founded The Virtuous Cycle Collaboratory (tvc2), a majority-minority, for-profit worker-cooperative domiciled in Alexandria/Virginia, that designs, launches and

Carmen Huertas-Noble, founding director of the Community & Economic Development Clinic (CEDC) at CUNY School of Law, and C0-founder of 1worker1vote, discuss her career in the cooperative movement and the role cooperatives have and can play in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Professor Huertas-Noble earned her J.D. from Fordham University Law School, where she was a Stein Scholar in Public Interest Law and Ethics and served on the staff of the Environmental Law Journal. Prior to joining the CUNY faculty, Professor Huertas-Noble was an Adjunct Professor at Fordham Law School where she supervised students in its CED Clinic. She also served as a senior staff attorney in the Community Development Project (CDP) of the Urban Justice Center (UJC). As part of CDP, she worked with neighborhood residents to form nonprofits as well as established organizing groups to create alternative institutions, such as worker-owned cooperatives (cooperatives). Professor Huertas-Noble has played a leading role in provid

Everett Dobrinski, Chairman of CoBank and a 2020 Cooperative Hall of Fame inductee discuss his career in cooperatives and future plans. As a third-generation grain and oilseed farmer, Everett recognized at an early age, the value of cooperatives in providing essential services that his family farm needed to compete in a global marketplace. Today, as he approaches his 50th anniversary of marriage to his wife Peggy, he can now enjoy his years of retirement knowing that he has passed on his family farm to yet another generation. He has the privilege of helping his son Darren, who has taken over the family farm. Everett first became active in Verendrye Electric Cooperative, eventually becoming Board Chair in 1990. He understood that the cooperatives needed to attract commercial business, such as the Minot Air Force Base, in order to maintain affordable, high-quality electric service for all customer-owners. Catering to the local community's needs, Everett's guidance was instrumental in financing a new d

David Hincapie, Economic Development Specialist with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) discusses updates to the SBA and CARES Act Loan programs in response to COVID-19. Vernon and David discuss the Economic Injury Disaster Loan, Paycheck Protection Program, and SBA programs that address disenfranchised populations. The Small Business Administration (SBA) has announced new programs created by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act, to support small businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic crisis. David shares updated information regarding the programs, the application process and reviews the eligibility requirements for cooperative businesses non-profit entities; and Self Employee and Gig-worker programs

Monica E. Mitchell, Vice President of Community Development at Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., discusses how her work has impacted communities throughout the Washington Metro Area, and her involvement in cooperative enterprises. Monica Mitchell has over 20 years' experience in banking and community development. In her role, Monica leads Corporate Philanthropy and Community Development work for the Maryland and Greater DC regions, responsible for affordable housing, workforce development, entrepreneurship and financial education efforts for low-to-moderate income communities, with a personal passion to address the intersectionality of these issues with public health outcomes. Monica is the founding President of the Board of the all-girls Lillie May Carroll Jackson Middle School in Baltimore City. She also serves on the boards of Junior Achievement of Central Maryland, LISC DC, Baltimore Community Lending and Associated Black Charities. She was a founding member of the United Way of Central Maryland's Emerging L

Sarah McKinley, Author and Manager of Community Development Programs for The Democracy Collaborative, discusses the value of establishing an ecosystem of interdependent cooperatives in major cities. Sarah also talks about case studies included in "Cites Building Community Wealth," a book she co-authored, and community wealth building strategies, such as; community development, finance institutions and cooperatives. Sarah McKinley is Manager of Community Development Programs for The Democracy Collaborative. She manages the Learning/Action Lab for Community Wealth Building, a multi-year initiative supported by the Northwest Area Foundation, assisting five organizations in Indian Country to create social enterprises and employee-owned companies. She co-authored Cities Building Community Wealth, The Anchor Dashboard: Aligning Institutional Practice to Meet Low-Income Community Needs, and Raising Student Voices: Student Action for University Community Investment. She has a background in community development and h

As we begin our celebration of Women's History Month, and focus on this year's theme of "Valiant Women of the Vote," we pay tribute to valiant women, who have impacted the cooperative movement. This week Vernon interviews Elizabeth (Liz) Allen Bailey. principal of The Bailey Group, Vernon and Liz recognize many valiant women who exemplify the values and principles of the modern day cooperative, in their work. Liz Bailey is Managing Principal of The Bailey Group LLC, a Washington DC-based consulting firm focused on economic and community development that includes member-owned cooperative business enterprises. Ms. Bailey provides her clients the benefit of her career experience in strategic public policy that combines the private sector, the executive branches of state and federal governments and extensive non-profit program management. For much of the past decade, Ms. Bailey held leadership positions with the National Cooperative Business Association CLUSA International, including Interim CEO, VP for Public P

Heather Gray, Activist, Journalist and Media Specialist Discusses 2020 Black History Month Theme: "African Americans and the Vote." Heather recounts her involvement in historical moment of the Civil Rights Movements, and shares how those experienced helped to shaped the trajectory of her lifework to address the inequities of those who are less fortunate. Heather is the founder and editor of the "Justice Initiative," and co-producer of the "Just Peace" program on the WRFG-FM (89.3FM), a community radio station in Atlanta, Georgia. She holds a Bachelor's Degree in Anthropology from Emory University and Georgia State University, and a Master's Degree in Sociology from Georgia State University. Heather has been involved in regional, national and international organizing work, research, advocacy and peace and justice issues since the 1960's.

Mike Mercer, former CEO of the League of Southeastern Credit Unions & Affiliates discusses how benefits credit unions create for its members. He also explains how credit unions help people to afford their lives, and empowers them to be free, and become more enthusiastic about life. Mike Mercer recently retired as the CEO of the League of Southeastern Credit Unions & Affiliates. In this capacity, he was responsible for providing leadership for trade association services across a three-state footprint to include Alabama, Florida and Georgia. Mr. Mercer represented the interests of credit unions in numerous ways for almost four decades. Mike came to Georgia in 1980 as President of Georgia Central Credit Union. He was named President/CEO of Georgia Credit Union Affiliates in 1985 and moved into his role as CEO of LSCU & Affiliates prior to his retirement. He studied economics at the University of Rhode Island and earned his master's degree in banking and finance at the University of Wisconsin. He has been th

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 Washington, DC discuss the "Poor Peoples Campaign," initially formed by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and its relevancy to the Association for the Study of African American Life and History's 2020 Black History Month theme: African Americans and the Vote. As we celebrate Black History Month, and focus on the different issues surrounding the importance of African Americans and the Vote, we are reminded of the need for the Poor Peoples Campaign, and the need to keep the issues of the campaign at the forefront of the political platform. Rev. Hagler, a co-chair the Washington, DC Chapter of the Campaign discusses the continued need for a campaign that represents the concerns of those who are without voice. Rev. Hagler has been deeply involved in civil rights activities from the beginning of his ministry up to the present. He is a graduate of Oberlin Col

During February, Everything Co-op celebrates Black History Month by focusing on ASALH’s (Association for the Study of African American Life and History) theme. The 2020 theme is African Americans and the Vote. Therefore, it was quite fitting to bring David Thompson, President of Twin Pines Cooperative Foundation back to Everything Co-op to discusses the efforts of cooperatives to prepare and register African Americans to vote. David Thompson has conducted extensive research for his upcoming book, Cooperatives and the Civil Rights Movement. Through his research for the book, he has learned a great deal of valuable information regarding the involvement of cooperatives in efforts to get African Americans registered. David traces early efforts of cooperative involvement in voter registration to the "Progressive Club," a cooperative that promoted voter registration, and trained local Black residents to pass the voter registration test. The co-op would ultimately share the proponents of its program with the High

Jim Schulman, AIA, Executive Manager of the Alliance for Regional Cooperation Appears on Everything Co-op. Vernon Oakes, host of Everything Co-op, and Jim discuss the need to reschale, and retool our local economy to become more sustainable, and the need to establish an ecosystem to achieve that goal. Jim plans to begin this process through the Cooperative Alliance, the first endeavor of the Alliance for Regional Cooperation. Through the Cooperative Alliance the organization plans to help all of the 250 cooperatives it has identified in the Washington Metropolitan Region to be able to help each other through the formation of a cooperative of cooperatives. Then, after the organization becomes established, it plans to open up the membership to small and mid-size businesses that are not cooperatives. Jim Schulman, AIA is a regional sustainability strategist, an environmentally-sensitive Architect, and a social entrepreneur. He is the Executive Manager of the Alliance for Regional Cooperation, a regional econ

Vernon interviews Brian Dahlk, Senior Manager at Wegner CPAs. Vernon and Bian discuss the personalized services, education, and knowledge that Wegner CPAs provides for its customers. Also, since it's the beginning of 2020, we know that many of you are ready to get an early start on preparing your taxes. Therefore, Brian also discussed the accounting services that are provided to cooperatives through his company's platform Brian Dahlk has been the Senior Manager at the accounting firm Wegner CPAs in Madison, Wisconsin for the past thirteen years. During this time he has provided audits, financial reviews, tax returns, and consulting services for hundreds of cooperative organizations all across the country. He received his master's degree in business in 1992 and his Certified Public Accountant designation in 2006. Prior to joining Wegner CPAs, he owned a business and worked as a financial manager for several nonprofits and cooperatives in Wisconsin and California. Brian also prepares tax returns for coope

Jack Barnett, Co-founder and President of the Northeastern Pennsylvania-based Clean Energy Co-op, discusses its formation and projects the organization has supported. Clean Energy Co-op was started in 2014 as a 'spin-out' from the local non-profit Sustainable Energy Education & Development Support (SEEDS), with a mission to develop clean energy resources for the benefit of its rural community and it's current 80+ members. Jack is a board member with SEEDS. He has been a solar advocate for decades, and past chair of a state chapter of the American Solar Energy Society. To date the Clean Energy Co-op has financed two commercial-scale solar system projects at farms and one on a non-profit community center. This Spring Clean Energy Co-op hopes to complete a fourth project with a local government entity, using cooperative capital, along with grant funding.

Courtney Berner, Executive Director of the Wisconsin Center for Cooperatives, discusses the Center's cooperative development efforts with Host Vernon Oakes. She highlights: programs that are being used to help communities establish worker cooperatives to address succession planning; research efforts that are targeted to explore the many facets of cooperative governance; and conferences, roadshows and other techniques that are being used to educate the community about the cooperative model. Courtney joined the University of Wisconsin Center for Cooperatives in 2011 and served as a cooperative development specialist until assuming the role of executive director in January 2018. Courtney develops research, outreach, and education programs on cooperatives and provides support to new and established cooperatives in a wide range of industries. Her areas of expertise include cooperative education, business development, cooperative finance and governance, and innovative uses of the cooperative model. Courtney also

Cathy Statz, Education Director of the Wisconsin Farmers Union (WFU), discusses its origins and history. She also discusses the many programs and initiatives of WFU. Cathy discusses the original efforts to organize farmers in the area that began in 1902, which came far before the official Charter was received in 1930. When speaking about why cooperatives are so unknown she recites a statement made by an advocate of cooperatives from the 1930s as follows; "People do not know about cooperatives because of two things. First, a lack of information concerning cooperation, and second, the fact that its principles are opposed to privilege." Thus, she further cites that "Cooperatives have two things working against it; ignorance and selfishness." In the role of education director, Cathy Statz facilitates cooperative education programs for Farmers Union members, youth and the general public, including Farmers Union's 80+ years old cooperative camp program. She has assisted with cooperative youth leadership dev