The importance of cooperatives empowering the Black population in America through group economics is critical.

Today, I will explain to you and give some additional examples of cooperatives.

Cooperatives are businesses or organizations that are owned and operated by a group of individuals who share a common goal. By pooling their resources and working together, members of a cooperative can achieve their shared objectives.

Here are some examples of cooperatives in the United States:

Agricultural Cooperatives: These cooperatives are owned by farmers and ranchers who work together to market and sell their products. Some examples of agricultural cooperatives include CHS Inc., Dairy Farmers of America, and Land O’Lakes Inc.

Consumer Cooperatives: These cooperatives are owned by consumers who use their services or buy their products. Some examples of consumer cooperatives include REI, UW Credit Union, Willy Street Co-op, and Adams-Columbia Electric Cooperative.

Worker Cooperatives: These cooperatives are owned and operated by their employees. Some examples of worker cooperatives include Black Star Co-op Pub and Brewery, Equal Exchange, Isthmus Engineering & Manufacturing, and Weaver Street Market.

Housing Cooperatives: These cooperatives are owned by their residents who work together to manage and maintain their housing. Some examples of housing cooperatives include Capitol Hill Babysitting Co-op and Central Iowa Power Cooperative.

Service Cooperatives: These cooperatives provide services to their members, who are also their owners. Some examples of service cooperatives include childcare co-ops, health care clinics, and funeral services.

As you can see, we need layers upon layers of cooperatives in the Black community to be self-reliant economically. The major players in industry are not corporations they are cooperatives. In this instance for the Power Through Peace and Unity Initiative, I’ve taken the liberty to start building the platforms while awaiting the other Divine Nine to come join me. One day it will be more of us building but today, I am seeking the Divine Nine come together with me to implement change.

The first modern cooperative was documented as being established in Rochdale, England in 1844. The cooperative movement spread to the United States in the late 19th century, and today there are over 30,000 cooperatives in the country. However, it is important to note many other countries and cultures participated in cooperative agreements prior to the European documentation and continue on today.

To start a cooperative, a group of ten individuals who share a common goal must come together and develop a business plan that outlines their goals, strategies, and financial projections. They must then register their cooperative with their state government and obtain any necessary licenses or permits. Finally, they must raise capital and launch their cooperative.

Cooperatives are a powerful tool for the Black community in America to achieve economic empowerment through group economics. By working together and pooling our resources, we can create businesses and organizations that are owned and operated by the community. With the right planning and execution, cooperatives can be a key driver of economic growth and prosperity for the Black community.

It is my heart’s desire that you will build a cooperative with me. I ask the Universe for one of the Nine, to read this and we will be two, together building and preparing for the remaining eight.

Will you build a cooperative with me?

-Faith Hope

Building While Black