Everything Co-op With Vernon Oakes

April 4, 2024 Vernon interviews Malik Kenyatta Yakini, Director of the Detroit Black Community Food Security Network (DBCFSN), and Lanay Gilbert-Williams, Board President of the Detroit People’s Food Co-op. Vernon and his guests discuss the Detroit Black Community Food Sovereignty Network and the Grand Opening of the Detroit Food Commons.  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. 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. Lanay Gilbert-Williams is a native Detroiter who

March 28, 2024 In honor of the 2024 Women's History Month theme of “Women Who Advocate for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion,” Everything Co-op concludes its commemoration with an interview with Jessica Gordon-Nembhard, Ph.D., Professor at John Jay College, and social justice advocate. Dr. Gordon Nembhard and Vernon recognize women cooperators who are working to improve Equity, Diversity and Inclusion. Author of Collective Courage: A History of African American Cooperative Economic Thought and Practice (2014) and 2016 inductee into the U.S. Cooperative Hall of Fame, Jessica Gordon-Nembhard, Ph.D., is a Professor at John Jay College, City University of NY. She is a political economist specializing in cooperative economics, community economic development, racial wealth inequality, Black Political Economy. She is a member of the Cooperative Economics Council of NCBA/CLUSA; the ICA Committee on Co-operative Research; an affiliate scholar with the Centre for the Study of Co-operatives, University of Saskatchewan;

March 21, 2024 In honor of the 2024 Women's History Month theme of “Women Who Advocate for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion,” Vernon interviews Renée Sattiewhite, President and CEO of the African-American Credit Union Coalition (AACUC). Vernon and Renee discuss the role AACUC plays in creating bridges between community-based organizations and consumer-focused initiatives designed to close the extensive racial wealth gap. In addition to serving as President/CEO of the AACUC, Renée Sattiewhite is also a certified diversity professional, credit union development educator, motivational speaker, executive coach, mentoring trainer, and recognized expert on marketing and branding. Renee has brought both her unique vitality and forward-looking vision in order to create one of the most dynamic organizations in the credit union movement. She has successfully propelled the organization forward to offer a credible voice that addresses today's dialogue on race, equity, and inclusion for all. In September 2022, Renée w

March 14, 2024 In honor of the 2024 Women's History Month theme of “Women Who Advocate for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion,” Vernon interviews Attorney Renee C. Hatcher. Vernon and Renee discuss how she has used the law to address issues related to Equity, Diversity and Inclusion. Renee Hatcher is a solidarity economy lawyer. She is an Assistant Professor of Law and the Director of the Community Enterprise and Solidarity Economy Law Clinic at UIC Law, a legal clinic that provides free legal support to grassroot organizations, cooperatives, and other solidarity economy enterprises. Daughter of the late civil rights activist and first elected Black mayor of a U.S. city, Richard Gordon Hatcher, Renee is committed to advancing the Black Freedom Movement through her work with co-ops and communities. Renee is a member of the leadership team for the Black Abolitionist Solidarity Economy (BASE) Fellowship, and a member of Law for Black Lives Movement Lawyering Squad. Renee also serves as a board member for the New

March 7, 2024 In honor of Women's History Month's 2024 theme of "Women Who Advocate for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion," Everything Co-op in collaboration with Co-op Leaders pay Tribute to a dear friend, Elizabeth (Liz) Carolyn Allen Bailey, who recently made her transition January 25, 2024. Liz Bailey, a native of Chippewa Falls, WI, grew up in an extended large, active and musically inclined family, many of whom, like Liz, firmly believed in improving each of the communities in which one lives and works. Liz served as the 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. She provided her clients the benefit of her career experience in strategic public policy that combined the private sector, the executive branches of state and federal governments, and extensive non-profit program management. For much of her professional career, Liz held leadership positions with

February 29, 2024 In honor of the 2024 Black History Month theme of African Americans and The Arts, Vernon interviews Lauren Ruffin, Director and Lead Strategist of the Art Program at Michigan Central. Vernon and Lauren will discuss her cooperative journey, and her feelings about how "African Americans and The Arts" impacts lives and history. Lauren Ruffin is Director and Lead Strategist of the Art Program at Michigan Central, a 32-acre Innovation Campus in the heart of Detroit. She is also Associate Professor of Worldbuilding and Visualizing Futures at Arizona State University where she explores the unprecedented and rapid political and social changes taking place in every facet of our lives, largely due to advances in technology. Her research centers on the best practices organizations and companies should embed to ensure that their platforms are safe, equitable, profitable, and joyful for all users, and particularly users from Black and Indigenous, disabled, and queer communities. Prior to these roles, L

February 22, 2024 In honor of the 2024 Black History Month theme of African Americans and the Arts, Vernon interviews Janet Bennett-Cox, Board member of Ebony Care Cooperative. Vernon and Janet discuss a program being sponsored by Ebony Care Cooperative, that brings elders and youth together to learn the art of Batik making, and how she feels this activity will impact lives of its participants. Janet is a motivated, energetic ‘idea-preneur,’ who enjoys the successes of collaborative projects. She taught for 27 years in elementary education with the Toronto District School Board, and is committed to serving her community as needs and opportunities arise. Janet was instrumental in the inaugural process of getting four Black, female owned and operated Worker Co-operatives, started under the umbrella of the Women’s Multi-Cultural Resource and Counselling Centre 1(WMRCC). She currently serves on the Board of Ebony Care Cooperative. A green enthusiast, she helps in the management of their family business

January 4, 2024 As the Cooperative Hall of Fame approaches the celebration of its 50th Anniversary in 2024, we at Everything Co-op celebrate our very own host, Vernon Oakes, who will be amongst this year’s inductees. Team members Justin Franks, Rob McClinton and Pat Thornton, share their thoughts about Vernon Oakes, including those shared with the Cooperative Hall of Fame selection panel shown below: "Vernon Oakes' boundless compassion for others and his unwavering dedication to personal growth and learning have set him apart as a shining example of empathy and continuous development within the cooperative community, making him a truly deserving inductee into the Co-op Hall of Fame. " Justin Franks — Web Development Digital Strategy Vernon Oakes is the embodiment of the seven co-op principles, living with a sense of fairness and justice, committed to equality, and evangelizing the values of cooperation among all humans. He makes me, and others, embrace the cooperative movement for no other reason than to

1-4-2024 Elizabeth Carolyn Allen Bailey pays tribute to Vernon Oakes, on the occasion of the announcement of his induction into the Cooperative Hall of Fame. For much of her professional career, Liz held leadership positions with the National Cooperative Business Association CLUSA International, including Interim CEO, VP for Public Policy & Cooperative Development, and almost eight years as Executive Director of the Cooperative Development Foundation, NCBA CLUSA's non-profit affiliate. Bailey held degrees from the University of Wisconsin and the LBJ School of Public Affairs at the University of Texas. After leaving the NCBA CLUSA, Liz remained active in the promoting of the cooperatives business model through her private consulting and as a member of Cooperation Works, and as a member of the board of a non-profit, Cooperatives Build a Better World, to raise public awareness of cooperatives. She consistently argued that those who support and build cooperatives spend too much time talking to each other rather

2-15-2024 In honor of the 2024 Black History Month theme of African Americans and the Arts, Vernon interviews Ashley Walden, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Unlock Creative. Vernon and Ashley will discuss the purpose and objective of In honor of the 2024 Black History Month theme of African Americans and the Arts, Vernon interviews Ashley Walden, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Unlock Creative. Vernon and Ashley will discuss the objective and purpose of the National Black Women Creative Cooperative, and how she has used "The Arts" to impact lives and history. Ashley is a proven leader, change agent, and visionary. She is a focused executive who effectively manages day-to-day operations of multi-layered organizations while keeping equity and inclusiveness at the forefront. Ashley has 18 years of experience in nonprofit management and community-based arts business administration. She is a diligent producer driven by authenticity and a love of people. Unlock Creative is a social enterprise whose

February 8. 2024 Allen Kwabena Frimpong, Co-founder and principal cultural designer with ZEAL,, discusses Cooperative Economic Alternatives that Enable Artists and Creatives to Thrive. Allen Kwabena Frimpong is a cooperative entrepreneur, cultural designer, and conceptual artist. In addition to being a co-founder of Zeal, he is a founder of several powerful and influential social entrepreneurship endeavors. He was a managing partner of AdAstra Collective, which is a boutique consulting co-op whose vision is to transform power through networked movement building for a just, democratic, and liberating world. AdAstra Collective also anchored the work of the Old Money, New System community of practice 2016-2020, that supported movement resource mobilization initiatives that strengthened social movement ecosystems. He also co-founded Liberation Ventures and was a former Senior Fellow at PolicyLink, creating a field-building organization that takes a networked approach in building a culture of repair towards winni

February 1, 2024 In honor of the 2024 Black History Month theme of African Americans and the Arts, Vernon interviews Kali Akuno, co-founder and Director and Cooperation Jackson. Vernon and Kali discuss new initiatives of Cooperation Jackson, and how the organization has used "the Arts" to inform and promote co-ops. Kali Akuno is an organizer, educator, and writer for human rights and social justice. He is also a co-founder and director of Cooperation Jackson, which is an emerging network of worker cooperatives and supporting institutions. Cooperation Jackson is fighting to create economic democracy by creating a vibrant solidarity economy in Jackson, MS that will help transform Mississippi and the South. Previously, Kali served as the Director of Special Projects and External Funding in the Mayoral Administration of the late Chokwe Lumumba of Jackson, MS. His focus was supporting cooperative development, sustainability, human rights and international relations. Kali is also the co-editor of "Jackson Rising

January 25, 2024 Vernon interviews Devin Fuhrman, Chief Agriculture and Sponsor Relations Officer at Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company. Vernon and Devin discuss the evolution of Nationwide, from its beginning as a part of the Farm Bureau through its partnerships and innovation techniques it relies on today, to maintain its commitment to be a "Customer Protection Company." Devin Fuhrman serves as the Chief Agriculture and Sponsor Relations Officer. In this role, Devin enables Nationwide business by managing several key agricultural relationships, including its 8 state Farm Bureaus, and serves as a connecting point to the breadth of resources Nationwide offers to its friends in agriculture. Several relationships date back to Nationwide’s founding in 1926, starting with the Ohio Farm Bureau. Devin has held numerous roles within Nationwide. He previously served as Associate Vice President (AVP) of West Regional Sales for Nationwide Agribusiness, leading his team in 11 states and supporting both Farm and Comm

January 18, 2024 Doug O’Brien, President and CEO of the National Cooperative Business Association CLUSA International (NCBA CLUSA) discusses his cooperative journey, and the 2024 initiatives for NCBA CLUSA. Doug O'Brien works with the cooperative community, both domestically and internationally, to deepen their impact and influence. NCBA CLUSA is the primary voice for cooperatives in the United States for using the cooperative business model to empower people in their businesses and communities. Doug has been with NCBA since 2016 and became president and CEO in January 2018. Before coming to NCBA CLUSA, Doug led the work of the White House Rural Council and served in top positions at the U.S. Department of Agriculture focusing on rural economic development. Doug has also worked in the U.S. Senate, U.S. House and for two Governors. O'Brien's experience in academia includes teaching and writing at the University of Arkansas Law School and Drake University Law School. O’Brien was raised on a diversified farm i

December 14, 2023 Everything Co-op continues to feature finalist from its Inaugural 2023 Holiday List, a thoughtfully curated list of products and services from the cooperative community. In this 3rd installment, Vernon will introduces his listeners to two of his picks for the "Body" & "Community". Nate Chittenden, Member/Owner at Cabot Creamery Cooperative, discusses the whole process of how the concept of "Farm-to-Table" plays out within his family farm, and other farmers, who are a part of Cabot; and Danielle Robidoux, organizer with Equal Exchange gives an inside account of how worker-owners fit within the structure of Equal Exchange, and the benefits being passed on to consumers. Nate Chi­ttenden grew up with a passion for cows, farming and family. He comanages the family’s 1,980-acre Dutch Hollow Farm in Shodack Landing, New York, with his parents and brothers. With about 1,500 cows, there is always plenty to do on the farm. Dutch Hollow welcomes thousands of visitors each year from schools, pre-school

12.7.2023 Christina Jennings, Christina Clamp. Michael Peck & Kevin O'Brien Share Products & Services for the Mind from Everything Co-op's 2023 Co-op Holiday List. Everything Co-op continues its Inaugural 2023 Holiday List, a thoughtfully curated list of products and services from the cooperative community. In this 2nd installment Vernon introduces listeners to three of his picks for your "Mind" and "Community". Christina Jennings, Executive Director of Shared Capital, Christina Clamp, Director of the Center for Co-operatives and Economic Development, Michael Peck, executive director and co-founder of 1worker1vote, and Kevin O'Brien, General Manager of Worx Printing, will share their products and services featured in the 2023 Holiday list. Christina Jennings is the Executive Director of Shared Capital Cooperative, a national CDFI loan fund that provides financing to support the growth and development of cooperatively owned businesses and affordable housing. Christina has more than 25 years of experience in

LaKeisha Wolf, Executive Director of Ujamaa Collective discusses how Ujamaa has used the collective cooperative business model to address Community problems, and create generational wealth. This interview features selections from Everything Co-op's 2023 Holiday List, a thoughtfully curated list of products and services from the cooperative community. The intention is to put into practice the principle of Cooperation Among Cooperatives. In this first installment Vernon introduces his listeners to one of his picks for your "Soul," with LaKeisha Wolf. LaKeisha Wolf is a co-founder and serves as executive director of a non-profit, Ujamaa Collective. She leads through the lens of creativity and community, working with artists and organizers to develop place-making strategies, models of equity for community resources, as well as local and global partnerships rooted in the values of fair trade entrepreneurship, mutual aid and wellness. Additionally, as a community cultural worker and teaching artist, LaKeisha provi

November 16, 2023 Everything Co-op continues its observance of National American Indian Heritage Month, with an interview of Josephine Foo, executive director of Indian Country Grassroots Support, and project attorney with the Diné Nihi Kéyah Project, and Raymond Deal traditional counselor with Diné Bá Álchíní Yił Ádaaní Navajo Family Voices. Vernon and his guests will discuss the role Lawyers and counselors play in representing tribal communities, and families in the Navajo Nation. Josephine Foo is executive director of Indian Country Grassroots Support and project attorney with the Diné Nihi Kéyah Project, which maps land base and local governance information and laws that impact community life on the Navajo Nation. She has served Diné communities since 2000 including eight years in the Navajo Nation Supreme Court, Office of the Chief Justice. She is a member of the Cooperative Professionals Guild webinar planning circle. Raymond Deal is a traditional counselor with Diné Bá Álchíní Yił Ádaaní Navajo Fami

November 9, 2023 Everything Co-op's kicks off its observance of National American Indian Heritage Month, with an interview of Eva Seidelman, associate at Chestnut Law Offices, and Kevin J. Fort, Executive Director and CFO of Regenerative Business Institute (RBI). Vernon and his guests will discuss the role Lawyers and accountants play in representing tribal communities, governments, businesses and non-profit organizations. Eva Seidelman is an associate at Chestnut Law Offices. Her practice includes cooperative formation, and other business, housing and community development legal service, as well as general counsel representation to tribal governments and organizations. Ms. Seidelman leads CLO’s partnership with Cooperative Catalyst to provide legal services to cooperatives throughout the Southwest and has practiced cooperative and community development law for almost a decade. Kevin J. Fort is the Executive Director and CFO of Regenerative Business Institute (RBI). RBI is a cooperative financial services f

October 12, 2023 Vernon interviews Angela Marie Sayles, CEO of Little Africa Food Collaborative. Angela. Vernon will discuss her efforts to address land and food rights, and the topic of Rethinking Market Studies for Black Led Cooperatives. Angela holds the position of CEO for the Little Africa Food Cooperative. She advocates for local food systems and cooperatives, lobbying within the Ag Noire Coalition and the National Cooperative Business Association. Angela’s work as research facilitator, with National Black Food & Justice Alliance Market Study Group, has produced a 40-page summary report on the topic of Rethinking Market Studies for Black Led Cooperatives. Most recently, Angela hosted the United Nations parallel event focused on Innovation and Technology in Land and Food Rights for Global African Women and Girls at the 67th Commission on the Status of Women. Angela is involved in local, national, and global projects addressing land and food rights, cooperative ownership equity, financial sustainabilit