From Cincinnati to Mondragon

Getting Ready to Tour Influential Co-op Association in Spain

We're gearing up for a transatlantic trip! From April 23-27, we're leading a delegation of civic leaders from Greater Cincinnati on a tour of the Mondragon cooperative business association in Spain.

A group of 40 will tour Mondragon, our North Star, an international benchmark for cooperation, and the largest industrial association of cooperatives in the world. Mondragon has transformed a region with a similar population size as Greater Cincinnati, reducing economic inequality while fostering long-term growth.

The diverse delegation includes business, philanthropic, and faith leaders; worker-owners from Co-op Cincy’s network of cooperatives; and representatives from Co-op Cincy’s sister organization in Dayton, Co-op Dayton.

We initially planned to take this trip before the pandemic; we're thrilled it's finally happening.

For more on why this trip is important, check out this 1-minute video. If you want to donate to help a group of 6 worker-owners join the trip, you can do so here.

We'll keep you posted on how everything goes! 

2023 Union Co-op Symposium Registration Opens

From Dream to Action: The Transformative Power of Co-ops, Labor, and Community

We're excited to announce our 6th biennial Union Co-op Symposium, From Dream to Action: The Transformative Power of Co-ops, Labor, and Community, which will take place in-person on Oct 20 and Oct 21 in Cincinnati, Ohio.

The Symposium will focus on combining the best of the co-op and union movements to forge a new economy rooted in connection. The event will be dynamic and inspiring, waking us up to the possibilities of being networked in meaningful ways. Activities will highlight equity, labor, community wealth-building, and care for the earth and ourselves.

Property Management Co-op Joins Network

E Team became our newest co-op last month after Martin Eisen (one of 3 co-op members) signed the articles of incorporation last month! 👏👏👏

E Team is a property management and repair company that emerged from our Construction Co-op U. Stay tuned for more news on them!

Queen Mother's Market Included in Congressional Funding Request

Queen Mother’s Market was one of the 15 local projects that Congressman Greg Landsman put forward for federal funding! 

Landsman's request was for $2 million of the expected $5 million cost for QMM's co-op grocery store. From his description: “The Queen Mother’s Market Establishment project would establish a brick-and-mortar grocery store in Walnut Hills. The new grocery store would primarily benefit seniors and vulnerable community members who have lacked nearby access to quality food options since 2017.”

Watch a short video of the announcement on Instagram.

Sustainergy Offers Free Assessments

Sustainergy, the 2nd oldest co-op in our network, is offering a free residential energy assessment: "Considering the 30% federal solar tax credit, as well as brand new rebates and incentives for insulation, there has never been a better time to explore improving your home energy performance!" Contact Sustainergy at 513-667-6900 or www.sustainergy.coop.

Queen City Commons Nears Half A Million Pounds of Compost

In a few months, Queen City Commons will hit a half a million pounds of scraps diverted for composting since starting operation in 2020! Check out their newest community drop-off bin at Cincinnati Recycling & Reuse Hub in Lower Price Hill.

Co-ops and Boot Camp Featured in Spectrum News

Spectrum News Ohio highlighted some of the worker co-ops in our network, along with our co-op business boot camp! 💜💜💜

A Touch of TLC Home Care and Queen City Commons were both interviewed for the article, as was our Co-Director Ellen Vera.

“We want to build an economy that’s equitable and inclusive — an economy that works for all,” Vera said.

Business Legacy Fund Builds Off Success

After 2 successful acquisitions in 2022, the Business Legacy Fund is looking to acquire 3-4 businesses in 2023!

Chris Bennet, the BLF Acquisitions Manager, will be presenting "Leave an Enduring Legacy: The Benefits of Selling Your Business to Your Employees" at Maple Knoll Auditorium on the campus of Maple Knoll Village from 11 am-1 pm on Wed 5/17.

Board Convenes for Retreat

We had a great time at our board retreat last month! 💫

We visited 3 of the worker-owned businesses in our network: Our Harvest, Sustainergy, and Shine Nurture Center. We also deepened connections while conducting strategic planning. Thanks to our board members for making it so special and for helping us launch and support worker-owned businesses!

Movement

  • Rutgers School of Management and Labor Relations has developed a free online program to help minority and female business owners learn about employee ownership strategies for business succession planning. The program will help business owners assess the relevance of establishing an ESOP or worker co-op.

  • An article in Next City highlights the efforts to build community wealth through worker ownership on both sides of the Atlantic. The article spotlight’s Cleveland’s Evergreen Cooperatives, Colorado’s Center for Community Wealth Building, and the UK’s Centre for Local Economic Strategies.

  • Some news from the wave of unionizations happening around the country: “by an overwhelming majority vote, workers at REI, Inc. in Beachwood, Ohio, a suburb of Cleveland and the only REI location in the greater metropolitan area, have voted to join the RWDSU, making this the third unionized REI store in the nation.” 

  • WePower is hiring a Vice President of Community Wealth Building.

  • Belén Marco and Tori Kuper of the New Economy Coalition reflected on the cooperative and economic democracy movements from Barcelona in Nonprofit Quarterly.

Uplifting women

Did you know that 66% of the individuals in our co-op network are women? So are 62% of our staff members, including both our co-directors. At Co-op Cincy, we strive to build an economy that’s equitable and inclusive – an economy that works for all. 

As worker-owner Julia Marchese of Queen City Commons said in our 2022 blog post for Women's History Month, this month offers an opportunity for women in business to “be recognized and appreciated and just seen as legitimate actors in the field.”

Here are some local women-led co-ops in our network that you can support during and after Women's History Month:

Long-Standing Supporter and Board Member Passes

With a heavy heart, we inform you that Don Barker, a long-standing Co-op Cincy supporter and the father of Co-Founder Kristen Barker, passed away on March 1.

Here's a message from Co-Founder Ellen Vera about Don's impact and life:

Don was an amazing individual. Not only did he raise a phenomenal daughter—our fearless, compassionate, and visionary Kristen—but he was intricately involved in the success of our co-op network. He served on the Board from our inception (2011) until he first became sick in 2019 as our Fundraising Chair and provided countless hours of mentorship, outreach, and financial support to our non-profit and several of our initial co-ops. In his roles with Co-op Cincy, Don was a steadfast supporter; a team player; a business-savvy mentor that provided clear, helpful advice (especially when we needed it most); and an eternal optimist though he never hesitated to point out hard truths. He will be sorely missed by all. 

You can read Don's obituary in the Cincinnati Enquirer. A few lines from the obit: "He was inordinately kind and very funny. He was a man who never knew a stranger and could relate to anyone.... In lieu of flowers, he would be thrilled to have you contribute, in his memory, to Co-op Cincy, where he served on the fundraising committee."

Virtual Co-op Business Boot Camp Starts 3/21

Benefit From Mentorship and Training

Starting on 3/21, we're offering our Co-op U, a 14-week boot camp that helps teams develop and launch a worker-owned business! 

Are you a team of 2 or more who are interested in starting a business? Apply now!

Know a team who might be interested? Forward this email!

Participants will develop a successful business plan of their own, benefit from hands-on training by professionals, and more!

We're offering Co-op U in partnership with Co-op Dayton and Cleveland Owns! 

Cooperative Management Certificate Course Pushed Back to 3/15

Applications are still open for our Cooperative Management Certificate.

The 12-week, virtual course explores the power of cooperative structures to make our businesses profoundly accountable to workers, environments, and communities! It's offered in partnership with Xavier University.

Participants acquire a detailed understanding of how to structure and run businesses that implement cooperative and democratic organizational models, from worker cooperatives to companies with Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs).

Apply by 3/14!

1st Co-op Tour of 2023 is March 10

The free tours are part of our efforts to spread awareness about the co-op business model and how it’s taking off in Cincinnati. 

Our first tour of the year is Friday March 10 from 10 am to noon. We'll meet at Sustainergy Cooperative and go from there!

We'll be offering tours monthly through October.

Black Co-op 101 Recording Available

A recording of our 1st-ever Black Co-op History 101 is now available on YouTube.

In the course, Cynthia Pinchback-Hines, our Racial Justice Educator & Co-op Developer, discussed the history of Black cooperativism. 

Co-op Members Raising Money for Mondragon Trip

A group of 6 co-op business owners in our network is still raising money to tour the Mondragon Cooperative Corporation in Spain next month and learn from a proven economic model. Can you contribute or share? 

Here's a video from Trisha Webster, worker-owner of Shine Nurture Center, explaining why she wants to visit Mondragon. 

If you can support Trisha and the 5 other worker-owners, please do!

Movement

  • Seed Commons is hiring a Development Director

  • Yessica Holguin and Jason Wiener highlight lessons from Colorado's bold support for employee ownership in Nonprofit Quarterly

  • The Invest Appalachia Fund has launched with $19 million for community-first impact investment in central Appalachia

  • Registration is open for the 2023 National Conference on Black Cooperative Agenda

  • From Cleveland's The Land: “Evergreen Cooperative Laundry, an employee-owned company, is planning a $1 million, 6,500 square foot expansion of its Glenville laundry facility in order to serve growing demand for its commercial laundry services.”

  • In Medium, Ra Criscitiello, Deputy Director of Research at SEIU UHW, discusses how "cooperatives have the ability to strengthen unionized workplaces by furnishing additional tools for organizing and building power."

  • From Nonprofit Quarterly: “After seven years of kitchen-table and Zoom organizing, a multi-stakeholder, cooperative, community-owned grocery store is taking shape in Louisville, KY."

Events

Black Co-op Success: Stories of Progress and Despair

A message from Cynthia Pinchback-Hines, Racial Justice Educator & Co-op Developer for Co-op Cincy, to mark Black History Month

Three amendments to the U.S. Constitution paved the way for collective cooperation in the African American community during Reconstruction, the period following the abolishment of slavery. The 13th Amendment, ratified by Congress in 1865, abolished slavery. The 14th Amendment, ratified by Congress in 1868, granted citizenship rights to all individuals born and naturalized in the United States. Finally, the 15th Amendment, ratified by Congress in 1870, gave Black men the right to vote and accelerated progress and wealth in the Black community. 

Zebulon Elijah (1836 or 1838 to 1910) became a state legislator and government official in Florida after having been enslaved. He was born in Santa Rosa County, Florida.

During Reconstruction, 16 African Americans served in the U.S. Congress, more than 600 more were elected to the state legislatures, and hundreds more held local offices across the South. Political power provided space for Blacks to plant seeds of prosperity. Black communities practiced collective cooperation, which helped them to make a modest living. 

From a historical perspective, Black collective cooperation has gone through cycles of prosperity and despair, and each cycle has coincided with a significant era: Reconstruction, the Civil Rights Movement, and the post-Obama presidency. Whenever African Americans made progress and contributed to a hopeful historical narrative, there was a subsequent regression, creating a counternarrative of despair.

Reconstruction

Enslaved Africans arrived on the shores of Virginia in the 1600s, and many possessed knowledge, skills, and customs that they relied on for survival. Whether raising livestock, cultivating rice fields, introducing a cooking style, or smelting iron, enslaved Africans were forced to work for free, which generated wealth throughout the South for slave owners. After the Emancipation Proclamation (1865), many Blacks chose to remain in effective servitude to their owners because they were afraid of losing the means to take care of their basic needs. Others left their slave masters and chose to “labor faithfully for reasonable wages.”

A sharecropper in Montgomery County, Alabama in 1937.

After 1865, Blacks seeking work did not need a résumé. They had proven their worth picking cotton, harvesting tobacco and sugar cane, planting and harvesting rice, building railroads, driving coaches, weaving, butchering, preserving, cooking, etc. White business owners welcomed hiring a skilled Black workforce for low wages, but this led to a discontented poor white population that was fearful of losing their livelihood to freed Blacks. Fear turned into anger and anger into terrorism and violence targeting Black men and women. The Ku Klux Klan became the first official terrorist group to attack Black people and their businesses as punishment for creating a white underclass.

A grocery store in Washington D.C. owned by a Mr. J. Benjamin on a Saturday afternoon in 1942.

Other freed Blacks chose a different path for survival. Instead of being at the mercy of white business owners, they banded together to form Black-owned mutual aid societies, grocery stores, and other businesses. Collective cooperation was key to owning land, buildings, and houses. Each day of working together brought Black businesses closer to realizing the American dream. However, they too encountered violence from angry whites who destroyed whole communities and struck fear in Black people. Forced to rely on white business owners, thousands of Blacks turned to sharecropping and menial jobs to get by.

A hotel after the 1921 Tulsa massacre.

The plunder and destruction hit the Black community of Greenwood in Tulsa, Oklahoma, particularly hard. On June 1, 1921, "Black Wall Street", one of the wealthiest Black communities, was attacked. Thirty-five blocks were looted and burned, destroying 190 businesses and leaving 10,000 people homeless. What triggered the attack was a white woman accusing a Black man of touching her shoulder when he tripped and fell in the elevator.

Jim Crow laws were put in place to squelch any progress for Blacks. Their political power had diminished, their personal freedoms had declined, and their protections had disappeared or were not enforced. At the time, lynchings were commonplace throughout the South.

The Civil Rights Movement

The 1963 March on Washington.

The Civil Rights movement ushered in an era of pride in the Black community. Attempts to quiet the cries of “freedom and justice” failed. The 1963 March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom spotlighted injustices, and President Johnson signed the Civil Rights Act of 1964, outlawing racial segregation in public accommodations, including hotels, restaurants, theaters, and stores, and making employment discrimination illegal. The Civil Rights Act, along with the Voting Rights Act of 1965, opened doors to economic opportunities for African Americans. Affirmative action policies designed to “even the playing field” were enforced, increasing diversity in the workplace at all levels. As a result, the number of Black-owned businesses grew exponentially. A devastating blow to the progress was the tragic loss of four beacons of hope, all within a span of five years: President John F. Kennedy, Malcolm X, Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and Robert Kennedy. Striking down each of these icons in the prime of life sent shockwaves throughout the nation and produced stagnation within the African American business community.

Post-Obama

President Barack Obama in 2010.

Barack Hussein Obama was the first United States president to hold a national briefing on cooperatives at the White House. Vernon Oakes, former President of the National Association of Housing Cooperatives (NAHC) and recent graduate of Co-op Cincy’s Power in Numbers: Black Co-op U, attended the briefing and reported, “I felt that they heard us and they will do what they can. The responsibility for promoting the cooperative business is ours. We have to create our own database and promote with and through them. I met some new friends in the co-op world.” Vernon is co-founder of Everything Co-op, a weekly radio broadcast that promotes African American cooperatives.

The team behind Hopes Fulfilled Farm 2 Table Co-op.

President Obama also signed the Global Food Security Act, which was intended to help cooperatives like Hopes Fulfilled, Queen Mother’s Market, and Growing Black Power end food insecurity in marginalized communities in Cincinnati and across the world.

Sadly, forces that systematically seek to deny economic justice to African Americans will continue, creating discouraging counternarratives. The good news is that African Americans are successfully pressing forward, creating hopeful narratives of progress. 

A Visionary Lays the Foundation for Black Cooperation

A post from Cynthia Pinchback-Hines, Co-op Cincy’s Racial Justice Educator & Co-op Developer, to honor Black History Month

W.E.B. DuBois, one of the most celebrated Black cooperators and outspoken scholars of the 20th Century, devoted much of his life to promoting economic cooperation. In fact, he claimed that economic cooperation was among his most important post World War I activities. He argued “that cooperatives would provide economic opportunities denied to African Americans and would allow Blacks to serve the common good rather than be slaves to market forces,” according to Jessica Gordon Nembhard’s Collective Courage.

Furthermore, DuBois asserted that Blacks were a consumer class which necessitated a plan for creating racial economic cooperatives, starting with neighborhood groups buying wholesale from white-owned factories until they could “form their own large-scale wholesale and manufacturing organizations.” This would involve local Black-owned stores stocking food, clothing, and household goods. Stores would raise money by selling stocks at low cost, and each shareholding member would have one vote, guaranteeing fixed interest on shares and returns from profits on the amount of purchases. 

“W.E.B. Dubois argued ‘that cooperatives would provide economic opportunities denied to African Americans and would allow Blacks to serve the common good rather than be slaves to market forces.’ ”
— Collective Courage by Jessica Gordon Nembhard

Cynthia Pinchback-Hines, Racial Justice Educator and Co-op Developer for Co-op Cincy

During his life, DuBois advocated for various active cooperatives, including for church denominations, educational purposes, and mutual aid societies, to name a few.  After the stock market crash of 1929, DuBois imagined African Americans at the forefront of the country’s new economic structure. Instead, the African American community remains locked in today’s consumer economy.  Black wealth is an elusive proposition, with the average white family having eight times the wealth of the average Black family and five times the wealth of the typical Latino family, according to the Federal Reserve.

Mona Jenkins, co-founder of Queen Mother’s Market (QMM), has taken a giant step toward reversing the fortunes of African Americans. Mona is seeking solutions to dire situations affecting her community, with food insecurity being one of her greatest concerns.   

Mona’s neighborhood of Walnut Hills lost its only grocery store in 2017, leaving many residents with limited access to healthy, nutritious, and affordable food. In the wake of the grocery store’s closure, residents participated in a survey and community engagement sessions, exploring solutions to their food dilemma. They decided on the short-term solution of a food delivery service with ride shares. For a long-term solution, they wanted to create a food cooperative. This led to the creation of QMM, which was founded by three Black women: Mona Jenkins, Theresa Martin, and Krista Greenlee.

The team behind Queen Mothers’ Market

According to Mona, QMM “will operate an 11,700 square-foot, full-service grocery store that will provide healthy and affordable staples and perishable food to Walnut Hills, the other nearby underserved and food insecure communities of Avondale and Evanston, and surrounding Cincinnati neighborhoods. [It] will be easily accessible by public transit and walkable for many low-income residents who lack vehicles currently needed to drive to the next nearest grocery store.”

No doubt, DuBois would have commended the founders of QMM for addressing a need in their own neighborhood through cooperative means. Local, Black-led businesses like A Touch of TLC, Hopes Fulfilled, Body by Bodji, and Heritage Hill have learned lessons from the DuBois playbook of promoting economic freedom and joined the ranks of cooperative worker-owners who are building community and, as Heritage Hill would say, “making their ancestors proud.”

Co-op Cincy plays an important role in developing and supporting Black-led co-ops through training, coaching, fundraising, and other wrap-around services.  Aligned with DuBois’s views on economic cooperation, Co-op Cincy’s mission is “creating an economy that works for all.”

Looking forward and backward: an update at the start of 2023

A Message from Co-Director Kristen Barker

The experiment of Co-op Cincy has now lasted 11 years. We have learned from successes and setbacks in developing a network of worker-owned businesses, and we have distilled structures that increase our co-ops’ chances of success. We bring these insights into this moment as we continue to learn and grow. 

We have a foundation to build on. Since our founding, our network has grown to 13 co-ops employing more than 100 people, of which 75% are people of color and 66% are women. This last year, Cincinnati was ranked #4 in the country among the top 25 cities for employee ownership by Certified EO! In Greater Cincinnati, there are currently about 5,000 workers employed in businesses with 100% employee-owned ESOPS (employee stock ownership plans).

Co-op Cincy continued our work of building community wealth in 2022. In the area of affordable housing, network member Renting Partnerships made big strides. Renting Partnerships is pioneering an exciting renting model to combat gentrification while providing opportunities for low-income households to build wealth through participation in affordable, community-owned housing. At the end of 2022, Renting Partnerships closed on a new duplex and expanded their staff to identify new properties. As 2023 begins, they are looking for mission aligned partners. One possible avenue is to partner with congregations in transition. 


At Co-op Cincy, we are determined to collectively create an economy that works for all, especially for those who have been historically excluded. We envision having 80,000 worker-owned jobs in this region in 50 years. We imagine thriving communities where everyone has access to affordable housing. We picture people creating the world we all want to see, a world based on solidarity that recognizes in our bones what Rev Dr. Martin Luther King Jr says so beautifully: “We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality tied in a single garment of destiny.” 

How can this come to be? What gives us hope and a blueprint for action? Several things:

Mondragon serves as a guiding light and a proven example of what is possible, showing us how an interconnected community of worker-owned co-ops can truly move the needle on poverty, unemployment, and inequality. This was highlighted in a recent Bloomberg article and podcast titled, "How a Worker-Owned Business Model in Spain Is Keeping Inequality in Check."

U.S. history points to what is doable, to how cooperatives can solve significant problems and scale! Rural electric cooperatives, owned by rural residents, electrified 75% of the United States! Member-owned credit unions, which offer affordable financial services, have more than 110 million members! They have specialized in making affordable financial services available to all income levels, with a particular focus on those with low incomes. 

Additionally, there is a remarkable, centuries-old history of collective and cooperative mutual aid efforts among African Americans, one detailed by Jessica Gordon-Nembhard in her book Collective Courage. This history has led to important opportunities for people who have been excluded, enabling them to create structures for participation, problem-solving, education, training, and wealth-building. 

Collective action is alive and well. Movements for civil rights, labor, environmental, and social justice are helping to remove structural barriers and open up new possibilities. Here are two articles about just a few of the victories from 2022. This one focuses on climate victories.

At the moment, Co-op Cincy has 4 strategies to move the needle on poverty and inequality, broaden ownership, and create thriving communities:

1. Help business owners sell their businesses to their workers

Around 2/3 of all private businesses are owned by baby boomers, many of whom are in the process of retiring or are nearing retirement. As a result of this wave of retirements, 80 percent of these businesses are at risk of shutting down. This could be a significant opportunity to transfer wealth and broaden ownership.

Through our Business Legacy Fund, we have partnered with Seed Commons, a national network of non-extractive loan funds, to create a multimillion-dollar fund for small- and mid-sized businesses. In 2022 we transitioned 2 companies: Shine Nurture Center, whose owner was ready to move on to their next adventure while preserving their legacy, and Heritage Hill, a Black apparel company whose founder wanted to expand ownership while continuing to work in the business. In 2023, we expect to transition many more businesses. 

How you can help: Do you know any business owners retiring who would like to receive fair-market value for their company while selling to their employees and preserving their legacy? Or business owners who would like to continue working but also to expand ownership and further distribute responsibilities and rewards while receiving a fair price for the business? More info on our Business Legacy Fund here.

2. Support start-up co-ops

Over the years, we have upped our game in helping start-ups verify their assumptions while defining viable business models and shared ownership structures. Last year, several new co-ops came into existence or restructured themselves in impactful ways as a result of our 14-week Co-op U experience. This year we will be releasing our Co-op U Manual as a resource. We will also be working with 10-20 new teams of people who are seeking to bring a co-op business to life. 

How you can help: Do you have a desire to think creatively and problem-solve? To give feedback and mentor new co-ops, helping them become the most impactful and feasible version of themselves? Connect with us if this sounds interesting to you! You can email kristen@coopcincy.org.

3. Support our existing co-op network

Worker-ownership can grow with the co-ops in our network. We provide support for culture building, financial literacy, business analysis, and business planning for the 13 worker-owned co-ops in our network. We also help worker-owned co-ops solve challenges, access financing, and grow. In addition, we offer them training via our Cooperative Management Certificate, which is provided in partnership with Xavier University’s Leadership Center. 

How you can help: We have so many innovative co-ops confronting a variety of challenges. Do you want to help two BIPOC-led co-ops solve food distribution to underserved areas experiencing food insecurity? Do you want to support new worker-owners in building their tech skills? Do you like to document systems? There are an infinite number of volunteer opportunities with our existing co-ops! 

Consider how your purchases can support an inclusive economy where everyone shares in ownership. Consider patronizing our co-ops. You can find them via our Co-op Overview page, which includes a Co-op Directory. A helpful guide to local Black-owned businesses can be found here. 

4. Supporting policy, network, & social movements

Policy can enable a more inclusive and equitable economy–or thwart it. Legislation led to the flourishing of rural electric co-ops and credit unions. Climate-smart, democracy-enhancing legislation for shared ownership and equity can make a difference.

Similarly, participation with networks of co-ops of all kinds–and to social movements, including labor–synergistically multiply our efforts. 

How you can help: Do you have a passion for policy? Do you enjoy serving as a bridge between different movements and efforts? Do you like to organize convenings that break down silos and deepen connection and collective power? Reach out and connect with us! You can email kristen@coopcincy.org.

To move the needle on poverty and wealth inequality in Cincinnati, we need your help! Collectively we are powerful!

10 Teams Successfully Complete Power in Numbers and Co-op U

Congrats to Growing Black Power, an emerging farming and food supply co-op whose business plan took 1st place during the Pitch Night for our 3rd Power in Numbers!


Congrats also to the other co-op business teams who participated and made it such an exciting program: Everything Co-op, PVD (Providence) Flowers, and Local Farm Cooperative.

Power in Numbers is a course that supports Black-led teams of entrepreneurs as they develop and launch co-op businesses. The 4 teams who participated pitched their co-op business plans at our final meeting this month.

Special thanks to our Pitch Night judges: Mike Strode of Kola Nut Collaborative, Emmy Allison of LIFT Economy, Jill McCauley of the Greater Cincinnati-Northern Kentucky African American Chamber of Commerce, and Brian Griffin of the Cincinnati AFL-CIO Labor Council (and a board member of Co-op Cincy).

We're planning to offer another Power in Numbers later this year. You can learn more at coopcincy.org/power-in-numbers.

Congrats to Third Ward Cooperative Community Builders, an emerging shared services co-op whose business plan took 1st place during the recent Pitch Night for our Construction Co-op U!


Congrats also to the Carpenters and Drywall Co-op, which took 2nd place, and to our other teams, who put together exciting co-op business plans: Co-op Dayton Sustainergy Expansion, Junction Economic Transformation Center, Arizmendi Repair Services Cooperative, and Cincinnati Property Management Cooperative.

Our Construction Co-op U is an intensive, 14-week co-op business boot camp that helps teams develop a worker-owned business in a construction-related field. The 6 teams who participated pitched their co-op business plans at our final meeting last month.

Special thanks to our Pitch Night judges: Austin Williams of Sustainergy, Co-op Cincy Board Member & Treasurer Tyree L. Fields, and Rob McLane of TSF Solar.

Co-op U and Cooperative Management Certificate Courses Start in March

Starting March 21, we're offering a general Co-op U in partnership with Co-op Dayton and Cleveland Owns. 

Our Co-op U is an online training and support program that helps teams develop a worker-owned business.

Applications are also open for our Cooperative Management Certificate, which explores the power of cooperative structures to make our businesses profoundly accountable to workers, environments, and communities!

The 12-week, virtual course starts 3/1 and is offered in partnership with Xavier University.

Participants acquire a detailed understanding of how to structure and run businesses that implement cooperative and democratic organizational models, from worker cooperatives to companies with Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs).

Staff and Supporters Meet with Newly Elected Congressman Landsman

We had a great time meeting with newly elected Congressman Greg Landsman yesterday about bolstering co-op development at the local and national levels!

Said Congressman Landsman: “I’m a BIG fan of worker-owned businesses. Great for workers, highly effective business practice, and amazing for the economy.”

Thanks for meeting with us, Congressman Landsman!

Forthcoming Book Features Chapter by Co-op Cincy Founders

Humanity @ Work & Life, which will be published later this year, explores how Mondragon-inspired cooperative ecosystems transform “humanity at work” both globally and locally.  

Our very own Co-Directors Kristen Barker and Ellen Vera contributed a chapter about Co-op Cincy's efforts to bring Mondragon's model of interconnected, worker-owned businesses to Greater Cincinnati.

You can preorder the book here.

Co-op Business Owners Organize GoFundMe to Visit Mondragon

A group of co-op business owners in our network has organized a GoFundMe campaign to join the tour of Mondragon. Their goal: learn from the largest industrial cooperative in the world. Can you contribute to their campaign? Or share? 

Here’s their GoFundMe.

The group of 8 is trying to raise $20,000 in total. They’ve already secured $6,400 from the Haile Foundation. They hope to take home lessons from the democratic, resilient economic model developed by Mondragon. 

If you can support them, please do!

New Team Members

We're excited to welcome a new staff member and a new member of our Board of Directors. 📣🎉💫

Zachary Dutton brings over 15 years of experience with groups and organizations in strategic planning, team building, and organizational change. 

Ashley Schleicher completed her MBA concentrating in Human Resources and Organizational Leadership and Change at Northern Kentucky University in December 2022 and is currently the Executive Assistant and Office Manager at the Cincinnati AFL-CIO Labor Council.

Co-op Directory Now Online

Co-op Tour Dates Announced

Curious about our co-ops? We are gearing up for another round of co-op tours this spring, with the 1st on Fri 3/10 from 10 am to noon.

The tours are free (though donations are appreciated)! Get your spot now! See coopcincy.org/events.

The tours are part of our efforts to spread awareness about the co-op business model and how it’s taking off in Cincinnati.

Participants will tour some of the co-ops in our network, which includes more than 10 businesses ranging from an energy-efficiency and solar power company to an urban farm.

Renting Partnerships Closes on Duplex 🏡

At the end of 2022, Renting Partnerships purchased a new 2-unit home in the College Hill neighborhood with the help of Seed Commons!


As with their housing in the Avondale neighborhood, Renting Partnerships will use a renting model designed to fight gentrification and help tenants build long-term wealth.

The units will be leased to low-income residents at below-market rates, and tenants will earn financial credits while participating in the maintenance of the building.

Renting Partnerships is seeking to expand. If you are a nonprofit, business, religious organization, or individual wanting to sell or help Renting Partnerships acquire property, email contact@rentingpartnerships.org!

If you are a prospective resident, you can attend an informational meeting at noon on January 21, February 18, or March 18 at CAIN (4230 Hamilton Ave 45223).

 

The new Renting Partnerships property 

 

Our Harvest Celebrates 10 years 🚜

Our Harvest, the first co-op in our network, celebrated their 10th anniversary at Bahr Farm in 2022!


During the year, they deepened their outreach in the community, working with volunteers from City Gospel Mission and students from Aiken High School and Cincinnati State.

Also in 2022, Cardinal Land Trust got to work repairing infrastructure and bringing the old farm up to date!

Our Harvest's 10-year anniversary celebration 

1st Transitions to Worker-Ownership 🛠️

At the start of the year, we completed our very 1st transitions of traditional businesses to the worker-owned model!


Shine Nurture Center, a nature-focused childcare center, became worker-owned in Januaryafter we helped the departing owner sell the business to 4 of her employees, all women.

Then, in February, Heritage Hill, an apparel company focused on Black culture, also adopted the worker-owned business model. The founder, Brandon Z. Hoff, expanded ownership to a team of 3, all of whom are Black. He was looking for a way to "participate in capitalism without being predatory."

More recently, Heritage Hill’s ‘I’m Bout Making My Ancestors Proud’ pan-African sweatshirt made an appearance on the NPR Tiny Desk Concert for Lion King the musical.

Curious about our transitions program? See becomeworkerowned.org.

Other Co-ops Grow 🌱

  • Sustainergy, the 2nd oldest co-op in our network, grew 30% and made substantial strides in expanding their solar arm. They also welcomed 3 new worker-owners. Sustainergy currently provides family-sustaining jobs to 11 full-time workers.

  • A Touch of TLC Home Care is logging more hours after being approved for Ohio's PASSPORT Medicaid waiver program, which helps Medicaid-eligible older Ohioans get the long-term services and support they need. They also secured a $40K line of credit. 

  • Queen City Commons continued to grow in 2022, collecting 235,789 pounds of food scraps during the year! They now have 180+ drop-off members and 20+ Cincy orgs and businesses who compost.

  • Cincy Cleaning Co-op now has a team of 5 who are working 6 days a week.

  • Massage for the People is now using the Dillard Center for appointments. They formed a Board of Directors. They also had a bodywork workshop in September.

  • Queen Mother's Market has continued to fundraise to launch a brick-and-mortar co-op grocery store in the Walnut Hills neighborhood. Meanwhile, their buyer's club has been providing access to healthy, affordable foods, including to seniors. Said customer Betty Cooper: "Please continue this program! We like the good quality of the fruit and vegetables! And it’s especially nice in the winter to get produce delivery here so us seniors don’t have to fight the snow."

Movement

  • Help make Cincinnati more sustainable by taking a look at the 2023 Green Cincinnati Plan and offering your comments! You can see the draft plan at greencincinnatiplan.org. Public comment is open from 1/17-2/8.

  • Attorneys, organizational leaders, accountants, and others gathered at the 3rd Biennial Ohio Cooperative Law Conference in Columbus on Jan 24 & 25. Co-op Cincy Co-Director Kristen Barker was a panelist, as were Margery Spinney and Carol Smith of Renting Partnerships.

  • The U.S. Congress has passed legislation that would give $50 million in funding for employee ownership! Woohoo!

  • Workers at an electric vehicle battery plant in Ohio voted to unionize!

  • A worker-owned masa co-op that launched in Philadelphia about a year ago is looking to test its concept on a larger scale in 2023.

Events

The new world can't wait. Help us build an economy that works for all!

Building Community Wealth by Supporting Worker-Ownership

During the past year, we have accelerated our efforts to help businesses adopt the worker-owned model. This is a model that broadens wealth and supports family-sustaining jobs.

We are so grateful for the generosity of our donors who make this work possible.

Please consider making a tax-deductible donation to empower more worker-owners in the coming year.

Preserving a Childcare Center:
A Worker-Owner Story

Mary Wilder, a worker-owner at Shine Nurture Center, cares for one of the children enrolled in the childcare center.

Mary Wilder and other worker-owners participate in a coaching session with Ellen Vera, the Director of Co-op Organizing at Co-op Cincy.

“I like the democratic idea of a co-op. I love that we all get to make decisions about our everyday work life.”
— Mary Wilder, worker-owner at Shine Nurture Center

When the founder of Shine Nurture Center initiated the process of selling the business to her employees, Mary Wilder knew nothing about the worker co-op model. The idea of shared ownership appealed to her.

"I never wanted to own a daycare by myself," Mary explained. "Then the opportunity with worker-ownership came along with Shine. And it wasn’t just me."

Shine now has 4 worker-owners, including Mary, who run the business together. Co-op Cincy supported them as they took ownership of Shine in February of 2022, helping finance their purchase of the business and assisting them in ongoing management through our coaching program.

"There were so many things we didn’t know about being a business owner. Ms. Ellen was like, 'I’m going to help you guys. I’m going to train you guys and give you the resources you need,'" Mary said, referring to Ellen Vera, our Director of Co-op Organizing, who helps run our program to transition businesses to the worker-owned model.

Shine's workers celebrate the transition to the shared ownership model in February with Ellen Vera, Director of Co-op Organizing at Co-op Cincy.

With Co-op Cincy's ongoing support, Shine has flourished. The worker-owners purchased the building in October of this year.

"I like the democratic idea of a co-op," said Mary. "I love that we all get to make decisions about our everyday work life."

Why did Mary decide to become a worker-owner?

"I made this decision for my kids," she said. "I want to be able to leave them something.

Please consider making a donation to empower more worker-owners like Mary.

Family-Sustaining Jobs

Worker-ownership increases the wealth of working families. Overall, worker-owners have a 33% higher median income, according to one study. Lower-wage workers who become worker-owners have a 17% higher median household net worth, while worker-owners of color have a 79% higher median household net worth.

As you plan your year-end giving, please donate to help us empower more worker-owners, building a more equitable and resilient local economy here in Greater Cincinnati! 

If you become a new monthly donor of at least $15, we'll give you a Co-op Cincy t-shirt as a thank-you! We'll also send you a t-shirt if you've been an existing monthly donor of at least $15 for one year!

The t-shirts, which were printed by a union worker-co-op, are available in white and purple.

 
 

Please consider making your donation recurring

Thank you, and have a safe and happy new year!

We had an amazing time at our annual event & fundraiser!

We had a wonderful time at last month's dinner and fundraiser! 💜💜💜

We were grateful to have so many partners and supporters present, including representatives from the City of Cincinnati, the Greater Cincinnati Foundation, and other local organizations!

Here are some photos:

Special thanks to our awardees, who we recognized for their outstanding support:

  • Cincinnati Vice-Mayor Jan-Michele Kearney and Cincinnati Council Member Greg Landsman for their leadership in successfully advocating for City funding to strengthen the co-op movement in Cincinnati.

  • Ellen M. Katz, Robert Killins, Jr., Rasheda Cromwell, & Rosie Polter of Greater Cincinnati Foundation for long-term, game-changing grants and partnership, especially for using their convening power to strengthen the co-op movement in Cincinnati.

  • Advisory Board Member Robert LaMothe for going above and beyond to strengthen our Business Legacy Fund, which transitions existing businesses to worker-ownership.

Also, thanks to our sponsors!

More good news: we reached our $10K goal for our October-November donation drive!

After our annual event, we have $5K left to reach our last-quarter goal of $30K!

Thank you to the people who gave during our October-November donation drive. We exceeded our goal of $10,000!

After our annual event, we have only $5,000 left to reach our last-quarter goal of $30,000!

If you would like to help us meet our last-quarter goal, you can donate at coopcincy.org/give.

Donations fund our work, enabling us to provide training, technical assistance, and loans to businesses owned by people from historically marginalized groups!

If you become a new monthly donor of at least $15, we'll give you a Co-op Cincy t-shirt as a thank-you! We'll also send you a t-shirt if you've been an existing monthly donor of at least $15 for one year!

The t-shirts are available in white (pictured) and with a purple background and white logo/lettering.

Special trip to tour Mondragon in Spain

We're excited to announce a special trip to tour the Mondragon Cooperative Corporation in Spain from April 23-28 of 2023!

Since being established in 1956, Mondragon has become a network of 100 worker-owned businesses employing more than 80,000 people worldwide.

We are leading a delegation of Cincinnatians to see firsthand how worker co-ops can be a powerful strategy for economic transformation.

Participants will tour a variety of co-ops, meet with leaders of the Mondragon network, and see how these worker-owned businesses can create a more resilient and equitable economy.

The trip will be an in-depth learning experience. It should also be a lot of fun.

Pricing starts at $2,600.

For more info, or to reserve your spot, contact Ellen Vera at ellen@coopcincy.org or 513.807.3898.

Co-op Cincy happenings

Here's what else we've been up to!

Power in Numbers

Our 3rd Power in Numbers (our co-op development course for Black-led teams) is wrapping up. We have 5 teams participating. They’re developing businesses ranging from a farming and food supply co-op to an electrical vehicle charging co-op. We invite you to attend the virtual Pitch Night, which is from 6-8 pm on Jan 10.

Construction Co-op U

Our 1st Construction Co-op U (our co-op development course for construction-related businesses) is also nearing completion. Six teams are participating. We invite you to attend the virtual Pitch Night, which is from 6-8 pm on Dec 21.

Business Legacy Fund


We recently finished a campaign to find businesses to transition to the worker-owned business model through our Business Legacy Fund. Businesses who are interested can still contact us.

Ohio Worker Ownership Network


We had an energizing meeting of the Ohio Worker Ownership Network at Gem City Market in Dayton. Co-ops and co-op developers gathered from around the state to connect and build skills.

New staff member


And we're in the final stages of bringing on a full-time Office & Project Manager to help our growing network thrive.

Co-op updates

Sustainergy 'brings inclusive capitalism'

Sustainergy was profiled in the Cincinnati Business Courier!

From the article: “Beyond its focus on saving energy, Sustainergy is building wealth among its employees. The company is a worker cooperative, a business model built on the idea of inclusive capitalism, which allows every worker to become an owner. The company provides fair compensation, health insurance, a collective bargaining agreement, bonuses, short-term loans with no interest and vacation time.”

Sustainergy was featured as one of the winners of the 2022 CLIMB (Cincinnati Lifts Inclusion and Minority Business) Awards from the Courier and the Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber!

A Touch of TLC Home Care is hiring

A Touch of TLC Home Care is looking for a Home Health Aide. The position is part-time, with the possibility of full-time. To learn more, phone 513-601-8455 or email atouchoftlchealthcare@gmail.com.

Movement news

Events

What we're thankful for this holiday season

Our Annual Event & Fundraiser is Around the Corner!

We Also Have Other Exciting News!

Our annual event and fundraiser is almost here!

We are celebrating from 6-8 pm on Thu Nov 17 at a new venue, the beautiful Karrikin Spirits event space (located at 3717 Jonlen Drive, Cincinnati, OH 45227)

We invite you to have dinner, connect with us, and support our work to build an economy that works for all!

$35 tickets include delicious tapas. Drinks and spirits will be available for additional purchase.

At the celebration, you'll hear about our network's recent accomplishments, meet our co-op members, and get a glimpse of how we plan to achieve our long-term goal: 80,000 worker-owned businesses in Greater Cincinnati by 2072! 

Don't wait. Get tickets now!

Other Co-op Cincy News

Deadline for Companies to Apply to 2022 Business Legacy Fund is Nov 15

The Nov 15 deadline for businesses to apply to the Business Legacy Fund is coming up fast.

The Fund helps businesses become employee-owned, expanding ownership and building community wealth. There are 2 main ways the Fund does this:It helps retiring business owners sell their companies to their employees, saving jobs while securing their retirement.It enables business owners to broaden ownership to their employees while continuing to work with their business.Financing is accompanied by technical assistance to ensure the company flourishes.

Know a business owner who might be interested? Let them know about the Fund.

This year's expansion of the Fund was recently covered in the Business Courier.

“The Business Legacy Fund is an innovative way for retiring business owners to sell their businesses for fair-market value and preserve local jobs, but more importantly, the Fund will help create a more resilient and stable economy for our city’s future.”
— Aftab Pureval, Mayor of the City of Cincinnati

Co-op Cincy is Hiring an Office & Project Manager!

We are looking for a full-time Office & Project Manager to help our growing network thrive.

See the full job description here.

Salary: $45,000 with 20 paid vacation days and 11 paid holidays. 

Timeline: We plan to begin reviewing applications by late November.

Apply by sending a cover letter outlining your qualifications, a resume, and 3 references to kristen@coopcincy.org.

Can You Help Us Meet Our Fall Donation Drive Goal?

We’ve raised 80% of our $10,000 goal for our 6-week donation drive! We are fundraising to support another 4-5 worker-owned businesses in the coming year.

We’re so grateful for the generosity of our supporters, who power our work. Through their gifts, we can provide business ownership opportunities to historically marginalized groups, including people of color, low-wage workers, and women.

Please consider donating at coopcincy.org/give or sharing our donation request to help us reach our $10,000 goal. We cannot do this without you!

If you become a new monthly donor during our donation drive, or increase your monthly donation by $10, we'll give you a Co-op Cincy t-shirt as a thank-you!

The t-shirts are available in white (pictured) and with a purple background and white logo/lettering.

2 Co-op Courses Making Progress 

We are currently working with 11 teams in 2 different courses designed to support them as they develop and launch co-op businesses!

One of those courses, Power in Numbers, is designed specifically to support Black-led teams.

The other, a version of our Co-op U, helps teams develop a worker-owned business in a construction-related field.

Here's a picture of our construction-related Co-op U:

High School Students Graduate from Agriculture & Co-op Business Course

At the end of September, we celebrated the end of a 9-month course designed to help refugee youth learn how to apply the co-op business and agricultural models here in Greater Cincinnati!

Thanks to our partners Our Harvest, Refugee Connect, Catholic Charities of Southwestern Ohio, and Aiken High School!

After receiving a new 3-year grant from the federal government, we are gearing up to offer additional agricultural and co-op business training to refugees in Cincinnati, helping them improve their livelihoods.

Ohio Network Meets on Nov 12 in Dayton

We’re excited for the Nov 12 meeting of the Ohio Worker Ownership Network at Gem City Market in Dayton! The event is FREE, with lunch available for purchase. Worker co-ops and co-op developers in Ohio will have a chance to connect and build skills.

Learn more and register here.

Blog Post: Save Local Jobs & Build Community Wealth Through Worker-Ownership

For National Co-op Month, Ellen Vera, our director of development and co-op organizing, wrote about why business and government leaders should embrace worker-ownership.

"Worker-ownership is a proven economic strategy, with a long history," Vera writes. "In the Basque region of Spain, which has a population size similar to Greater Cincinnati, the Mondragon network of worker-owned businesses has produced long-term growth and stability."

Read her blog post.

Mona Jenkins Wins Bob Maxwell Peace Builder Award

Congrats to Mona Jenkins, the recipient of the Intercommunity Justice and Peace Center's 2022 Bob Maxwell Peace Builder Award!

As our Cooperative Food Justice Coordinator, Mona works with residents to address food insecurity. Mona is also the Co-Founder of Queen Mother’s Market.

Updates From Our Co-op Network

Shine Nurture Center Buys Building! 

Congrats to Shine Nurture Center, which closed on purchasing their own building in October! Pictured are Bethany Heeg, one of Shine’s worker-owners, and Ellen Vera, our director of development and co-op organizing, at the title company!

Shine was able to purchase their building, located in the Mount Airy neighborhood, with the support of our loan fund and our partner Seed Commons!

Shine is part of our growing network of cooperatives. They transitioned to the worker-owned model at the beginning of the year after the owner sold the business to 5 female employees. We supported them through and after that transition as part of our Business Legacy Fund (described above).

Sustainergy Wins 2022 CLIMB Award!

 
 

Congrats to Sustainergy, one of the winners of the 2022 CLIMB (Cincinnati Lifts Inclusion and Minority Business) Awards from the Cincinnati Business Courier and Cincinnati Regional Chamber!

CLIMB, now in its fifth year, “honors individuals and organizations in Greater Cincinnati that have helped our region achieve greater heights of success through building a diverse workforce, championing equitable practices and developing inclusive cultures.”

Here’s what the Chamber had to say of Sustainergy: “The organization focuses on practicing inclusive capitalism and building a more equitable local economy.”

Read more about Sustainergy and the other honorees here.

Our Harvest Holds 10-Year Celebration

Our Harvest had a memorable 10-year celebration in October, raising more than $4,000!

Our Harvest was the first co-op in our network. They provide access to healthy, local food in a way that honors land and labor.

Queen City Commons Partners with City of Covington

Queen City Commons continues to grow and has partnered with the City of Covington to collect compost!

"Ultimately, Covington wants to do a better job of reducing its collective impact on the water, air, and the earth," said Sheila Fields, the City’s Solid Waste & Recycling manager.

Heritage Hill Seeking New Space

Heritage Hill is looking for a new warehouse space to rent that has the following characteristics:

  • Approx. 1,500-3,000 sq. ft.

  • Access to a loading dock

  • Located within the City of Cincinnati

  • Temperature control

  • Office space Have a space?

Contact Brandon Hoff at brandonz@heritagehill.co or 513.237.0240.

2 Co-op Members Named National Fellows

Congrats to Bethany Heeg of Shine Nurture Center and Victoria Russell of A Touch of TLC Home Care for being named in the 2022-2023 cohort of the Worker Ownership State Advocacy Fellowship by the U.S. Federation of Worker Cooperatives! The Fellows are advocating to increase worker ownership in their home states. Learn more here.

Co-op Cincy in the News

Movement News

  • Cincinnati was ranked #4 in the country for the top 25 cities for employee ownership! According to the Cincinnati entry in the article by Certified EO: “Cincinnati is home to 32 employee-owned companies, including Al. Neyer, Intrust IT, Ohio Valley Electrical Services, Parallel Technologies and The Motz Corporation.”

  • The California Employee Ownership Act is now law! The act will work to “increase awareness and understanding of employee ownership among stakeholders, assist business owners and employees in navigating available resources, and streamline and reduce barriers to employee ownership.” Read more.

Events

Save Local Jobs & Build Community Wealth Through Worker-Ownership

By Ellen Vera

To build an equitable economy in Greater Cincinnati and save jobs from an upcoming wave of business-owner retirements, business and government leaders should embrace worker-ownership, a proven economic strategy.

Shine Nurture Center, a local childcare center, officially became worker-owned in 2022.

As in the rest of the country, Greater Cincinnati faces an unprecedented wave of retirements by baby-boomer business owners, a shift known as the “silver tsunami.” More than 40% of the country’s 30.7 million small business owners are 55 and older. These owners are in search of ways to ensure their retirement and legacy. Their businesses provide important products, services, and–importantly–jobs. To let them close would have a devastating and unnecessary economic impact.

In addition to these retirements, our local economy faces severe inequality, according to Building Legacies, a report from the Ohio Employee Ownership Center. Since 1973, top earners in Ohio have accounted for nearly 86% of all income gains. In contrast, the bottom 90% have seen negative income growth. 

The Covid-19 pandemic and recession have only exacerbated these challenges. To save local jobs and make our economy fairer and stronger, we should turn to worker-ownership. And to do that, we should help retiring business owners sell to their employees. 

“Worker-ownership is a proven economic strategy, with a long history.”

Why worker-ownership? Worker-ownership is a proven economic strategy, with a long history. In the Basque region of Spain, which has a population size similar to Greater Cincinnati, the Mondragon network of worker-owned businesses has produced long-term growth and stability. In the U.S., worker-ownership is already a significant part of the economy. About 12% of the U.S. workforce is employed at worker-owned enterprises, according to the Harvard Business Review. The worker-owned model is flexible and has variations, from employee stock ownership plans (ESOPs) to worker cooperatives.

Research shows that worker-ownership offers worker, company, and community benefits, including higher wages, greater business stability, and even better productivity. All of this makes logical sense. If you give a worker a stake in the company, they will do a better job.

Co-op Cincy is working to address the challenge of business-owner retirements and economic inequality by helping local businesses become worker-owned. Our multimillion-dollar Business Legacy Fund enables retiring or departing business owners to sell their companies to their employees, preserving jobs while securing fair-market value for their business. Having a diverse set of business models can build resilience and stability in our local economy. Having worker-owned businesses offers that stability. Our Fund, now in its 3rd year, is searching for new businesses to transition to worker-ownership. Applications are due by November 15.

“There are more than 65 worker-owned businesses in Greater Cincinnati, and that number is growing. ”

There are more than 65 worker-owned businesses in Greater Cincinnati, and that number is growing. This year, our Business Legacy Fund helped two local businesses adopt the worker-owned model, and we are in discussions with more firms. The recent transitions show how this model can broaden ownership to individuals from historically marginalized groups. 

Heritage Hill, an apparel company that celebrates Black culture, officially became worker-owned in 2022.

One of the businesses we transitioned, Shine Nurture Center, is a nature-oriented childcare center. Five female employees purchased the business from the departing owner, helping preserve this important resource for the community. The other, Heritage Hill, sells apparel that celebrates Black culture. The founder broadened ownership to a team of three worker-owners, all of whom are Black.

The new worker-owners have a stake in the business, which has opened the door to wealth-building for their families. “If I plan on being here for 10 years, why not be an owner?” said Mary Wilder, a worker-owner at Shine Nurture Center. Brandon Hoff, the founder of Heritage Hill, said he transitioned the business because he was looking for a way to "participate in capitalism without being predatory." He added, “I really want people who work in the company to have an opportunity to benefit from the company.”

“Brandon Hoff, the founder of Heritage Hill, said he transitioned the business because he was looking for a way to ‘participate in capitalism without being predatory.’”

Worker-ownership can bring big economic rewards to Greater Cincinnati. By embracing this viable economic model, business and government leaders will help build wealth for local families, preserve jobs in the face of business-owner retirements, and anchor businesses in the community. 

 Ellen Vera has organized people from diverse backgrounds to improve their workplaces for more than a decade. She co-founded Co-op Cincy to develop a more sustainable model of wealth-building with marginalized communities.

Can you help us support another 4-5 worker-owned businesses?

The power of community

Donations from our supporters power our work. Through these gifts, we can offer ownership opportunities to historically marginalized groups, including people of color, low-wage workers, and women.

This October, to mark National Co-op Month, we're launching a 6-week donation campaign with the goal of raising enough to support another 4-5 worker-owned businesses.

Each business will offer family-sustaining jobs and create a more equitable local economy here in Greater Cincinnati.

Will you make a donation to help us achieve our goal?

*Check 'Make it Monthly' to become a sustaining partner

How do we support the worker-owned businesses in our network?

We provide training, technical assistance, and access to loans. In this 2-minute video, you can listen to worker-owners talk about our support:

Here are some examples of what your donation will finance:

  • $30 provides 2 workers with printed Worker-Owner Workbooks to help build their co-op business culture, knowledge, and skills.

  • $50 provides 1 session of financial literacy training to a worker co-op team.

  • $100 provides 2 weeks of co-op business training to a worker co-op team.

  • $250 provides an informal valuation as part of transitioning a traditional business to worker-ownership.

*Check 'Make it Monthly' to become a sustaining partner

Scaling our impact

Since our founding in 2011, our network has expanded to 14 worker-owned businesses ranging from a residential energy efficiency firm to an urban farm.

Our network employs more than 100 people, of which 75% are people of color and 66% are women.

Since 2018, in partnership with other organizations, we have provided access to more than $1 million in loans to the worker-owned businesses in our network.

Please donate today and enable us to support another 4-5 worker-owned businesses!

*Check 'Make it Monthly' to become a sustaining partner

With your gift, you will help us build an economy that works for all!

2022 Business Legacy Fund Launches on Sep 15

The multi-million dollar Fund enables business owners to secure their retirement while saving jobs and broadening ownership

On Sep 15, we launched the 2022 Business Legacy Fund, which helps broaden business ownership in 2 different situations.

First, the Fund can help retiring business owners sell their company to their employees, saving jobs while securing their retirement.

Second, it can enable business owners to broaden ownership to their employees while continuing to work with their business.

Benefits to business owners include selling for fair-market value while gaining tax advantages. Community benefits include broadening ownership and creating long-term business stability.

Businesses can apply to participate in the Fund by Nov 15 at becomeworkerowned.org.

“The Business Legacy Fund is an innovative way for retiring business owners to sell their businesses for fair-market value and preserve local jobs, but more importantly, the Fund will help create a more resilient and stable economy for our city’s future.”
— Aftab Pureval, Mayor of the City of Cincinnati

A growing wave

This year, our Fund helped 2 local companies become worker-owned: Shine Nurture Center, a nature-oriented childcare center; and Heritage Hill, an apparel company that celebrates Black culture.

They're not alone. Businesses around the country are becoming worker-owned.

Testimonial

“We were concerned about what would happen when we eventually retire.… This is a structure that allows the company to continue forward into the future.”

— Tom Ewing and Tim James, founders of Ewing Controls in Greenfield, MA, which became worker owned in 2017

Our Harvest celebrates 10th anniversary with local food and music festival

Join Our Harvest in celebrating their 10-year anniversary!

Our Harvest has spent the last decade creating access to healthy, local food in a way that honors land and labor, all while training the next generation of farmers!

Support them by registering for their 10th anniversary celebration, which includes local, fresh, nutrient-dense food straight from their farm and partners, as well as locally sourced drinks, a farm tour, and music!

The celebration will be 5-8 pm on Saturday, October 1 at Bahr Farm in Finneytown.

Making new connections at Worker Co-op Conference

Staff traveled with members of our co-op network to the Worker Co-op Conference, held in Philadelphia on Sep 9 and 10.

The conference inspired new co-op strategies and collaborations, influenced our approaches as co-op developers and members, and connected us with workers from co-ops around the country!

Here's a photo of some of us at the conference with our friends from Co-op Dayton!

Co-op tours continue

We've got more free co-op tours coming up! Dates:

  • Fri Sep 16 from 9-11 am

  • Fri Oct 14 from 1-3 pm

Movement news

Mondragon in The New Yorker

In case you missed it, The New Yorker put a spotlight on the Mondragon network of co-ops, the largest in the world! Check out the article.

Mondragon’s network of co-ops, which was provided long-term growth and stability in the Basque region of Spain, is an inspiration for our own co-op network.

From our History page: “Mondragon’s durable business model is the foundation for our efforts to create competitive enterprises, foster social and economic justice, and empower worker dignity by creating jobs accountable to workers and communities.”

Also, the Basque region of Spain has a similar population size to Greater Cincinnati…

Business for Democracy Launches

The American Sustainable Business Network has launched Business for Democracy, a national campaign to raise the trusted voice of small business on the need to strengthen and protect American democracy.

Learn more at businessfordemocracy.us.

Upcoming events

  • Fri Sep 16 from 9-11 am: Co-op Cincy co-op tour. To learn more and sign up, see this questionnaire.

  • Fri Sep 23-Sun Sep 25: Massage for the People has their first workshop for massage therapists. Called Discovering Integrative Craniosacral Therapy, it will be at SHI Integrative Massage School and will be led by Matthew Howe, an NCBTMB-approved provider. Learn more and register.

  • Sun Oct 1 from 5-8 pm: Our Harvest 10th anniversary celebration & music festival. Learn more and register.

  • Mon Oct 10 from 6-7:30 pm at McKie Recreation Center: Meeting 2 of the Green Cincinnati Plan’s Buildings and Energy Subcommittee. At the meeting, the public can provide recommendations to guide goals, strategies, and actions for our City in the coming years. Flequer Vera from Sustainergy Cooperative is part of the steering committee.

  • Thu Oct 13 & Fri Oct 14: 3rd Biennial Cooperative Law Conference, which features Kristen Barker, executive director of Co-op Cincy, as a speaker.

  • Fri Oct 14 from 1-3 pm: Co-op Cincy co-op tour. To learn more and sign up, see this questionnaire.

2022 Co-op Appreciation Fest

We had such a great time at our Annual Co-op Appreciation Fest on Saturday, August 27! A big thanks to everyone who attended and to our co-ops for participating! It was an inspiring event, and we couldn’t have organized it without such an amazing community of people. 🤩🤩🤩

The annual Fest was an opportunity for people to meet our 14 co-op teams, learn about their products, & connect with other Co-op Cincy supporters. There was music and food.

Want to learn more about our network of co-op businesses? See coopcincy.org/co-ops-overview

Co-op Cincy in the media

New academic study

We’re grateful to be the subject of a new academic study, “Breaking New Ground: Social Movement Theory and the Cincinnati Union Co-ops,” in the Employee Responsibilities and Rights Journal.

Big thanks to the author, Ariana R. Levinson! We hope the article helps grow the union co-op movement!

The study is currently behind a paywall, but you can read the abstract here.

Article on city funding published in Nonprofit Quarterly

We were beyond thrilled to receive $100,000 from the City of Cincinnati earlier this year—the very first time we've received funding from the City. The money will directly help us build community wealth and preserve family-sustaining jobs in Cincinnati.

In Nonprofit Quarterly, 3 of our staff members wrote about our multi-year effort to secure funding from the City, which was aided by testimonials from board members, co-op members, staff, and our network of supporters, as well as by support from our friends on the City Council.

We hope the article can help other co-op incubators and nonprofits secure government funding! Read the article.

Program news

Co-op tours continue

We've got more free co-op tours coming up! Dates:

  • Fri Sep 16 from 9-11 am

  • Fri Oct 14 from 1-3 pm

2022 launch for Business Legacy Fund 

Get ready — we're initiating our 3rd Business Legacy Fund cohort on Sep 15! Register now for our online launch.

The multimillion-dollar Fund helps retiring or departing business owners transition their business to worker-ownership, saving jobs and maintaining legacies while securing fair-market value for their company.

Through the Fund, we finished transitioning 2 businesses to worker-ownership earlier this year, and we're in ongoing discussions with others.

Business Legacy Fund testimonial:

“Co-op Cincy has been very helpful…. They came with a ready-made template.”

— Brandon Z. Hoff, founder of Heritage Hill, which became worker owned in 2022

Other updates

Goodbye to Shontelle

Thanks to Shontelle Johnson for an amazing summer! She interned with us through the Xavier University Summer Service Internship Program.

During her time with us, she gathered testimonials from worker-owners and completed other important work.

Here she is with Kristen Barker, our Executive Director, and Cynthia Pinchback-Hines, our Racial Justice Educator & Co-op Developer, at a final ceremony.

Best of luck, Shontelle, on whatever's next!

Co-op updates

Hopes Fulfilled now has a food truck

Hopes Fulfilled now has a food truck! Check out the website of their subsidiary, Jamerican Eats, which serves traditional Jamaican food.

Hopes Fulfilled will be providing food for our Co-op Appreciation Festival this Saturday.

Massage for the People organizes workshop for massage therapists

Massage for the People has organized their first workshop for massage therapists.

Called Discovering Integrative Craniosacral Therapy, it's scheduled for Friday Sep 23 to Sunday Sep 25 at SHI Integrative Massage School and will be led by Matthew Howe, an NCBTMB-approved provider.

15 spaces are available, and there is a $245 early-bird special through the end of August.

Movement news

  • The worker co-op model is growing in Spokane, Washington! Spokane Workers Cooperative, a holding company owned by workers that belong to the cooperative, currently has 5 companies under its umbrella. See the article in the Spokane Journal of Business.

  • $2 million is being invested to support the development of co-op businesses in British Columbia, according to a government press release! “Co-operatives are value-driven organizations that play an important role in our communities, supporting pressing social priorities such as employment, child care and housing,” said Selina Robinson, Minister of Finance. “This investment will help expand their impact.”

  • In The Nonprofit Quarterly, Geoff Gusoff wrote about how worker-ownership could transform low-wage healthcare: “This model centers frontline workers rather than outside investors and has important benefits in addressing health, economic, and racial inequities.”

Upcoming events

  • Aug 27 from 4-6 pm: our annual Co-op Appreciation Festival at Our Harvest's urban farm in College Hill (969 W North Bend Rd.), located on the beautiful, historic Bahr Farm. With music and food. Register now.

  • Sep 9 & 10: Worker Co-op Conference. To learn more, see the conference website.

  • Sep 15: Business Legacy Fund 2022 online launch. Register now.

  • Fri Sep 16 from 9-11 am: Co-op Cincy co-op tour. To learn more and sign up, see this questionnaire.

  • Fri Oct 14 from 1-3 pm: Co-op Cincy co-op tour. To learn more and sign up, see this questionnaire.

July 2022 Update: Summer greetings! 🌞

Registration now open for co-op festival

A reminder: Our annual co-op appreciation festival is planned for Saturday, Aug. 27. We'd love to see you there!

The festival is free and will be from 4-6 pm at Our Harvest's urban farm in College Hill (969 W North Bend Rd.), on the scenic Bahr Farm.

Meet our 14 co-op teams, learn about their products, & connect with other Co-op Cincy supporters. There will be music & food!

Co-op Cincy & Mondragon business model featured in Bloomberg

Bloomberg News published an article and podcast on Mondragon’s cooperative model and how it's gaining attention in the US and elsewhere!

The article and podcast included interviews with Co-op Cincy and our co-op Shine Nurture Center!

Check out the article and podcast.

You can listen to the podcast on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

A few quote highlights:

  • “The objective of the cooperative is not to produce rich people, it’s to produce rich societies.” - Igor Herrarte, engineer at Mondragon Assembly

  • "Interest in worker co-ops tends to increase in times of crisis." - Mike Palmieri, researcher at the Ohio Employee Ownership Center

  • “Mondragon is our North Star.” - Kristen Barker, Executive Director of Co-op Cincy

Worker Co-op Conference in September

This year, the Worker Co-op Conference is being held from Sep. 9-10 in Philadelphia.

The conference is a national event where worker-owners from across the United States gather to learn and build power together. We're excited to attend!

Learn more at conference.coop.

Program news

New co-op tour dates

We’ve added new summer and fall dates for our free co-op tours! Come learn about the co-ops in our network! Upcoming dates:

  • Fri Aug 12 from 1-3 pm

  • Fri Sep 16 from 9-11 am

  • Fri Oct 14 from 1-3 pm

2022 launch for Business Legacy Fund 

We're getting ready for our 3rd Business Legacy Fund cohort!

The multimillion-dollar Fund helps retiring or departing business owners transition their business to worker-ownership, saving jobs and maintaining legacies while securing fair-market value for their company. Financing from the Fund is accompanied by technical assistance to ensure a successful transition.

Through the fund, we finished transitioning 2 businesses to worker-ownership earlier this year, and we're in ongoing discussions with more businesses interested in becoming worker-owned.

Business Legacy Fund testimonial:

“Co-op Cincy and Ellen Vera in particular really walked this business through all the stages that were required to make this transition a success…. That support system was there. We could not have figured out how to do this without the help of Co-op Cincy.”

— Katie McGoron, founder of Shine Nurture Center, which became worker owned in early 2022

Construction co-op training program nears 🛠️

Our Construction Co-op U starts in September. The online training and support program helps teams develop a worker-owned business in a construction-related field.

Other updates

Enock named Global Fellow

Enock Sadiki, who participated in our co-op agriculture and business training course for refugee youth, has been named the World Affairs Council summer Global Fellow with the Camp Covington Program!

A refugee from Uganda, Enock is currently a senior at Aiken High School. Congrats Enock!

Shontelle attends gun legislation event at White House

Our amazing intern, Shontelle Johnson, visited the White House with other activists this month to celebrate the passage of the Safer Communities Act, the biggest gun violence prevention legislation enacted in decades.

The bill enhances background checks for potential gun buyers, in addition to other measures. Cincinnati Mayor Aftab Pureval was among the attendees.

Shontelle said: "For me, this legislation is a step in the right direction. As President Biden said, it does not do everything I want, but it pushes America further. This law represents all the families and friends that have lost loved ones to gun violence who say, 'Not one more'. It is not the end all be all, but it helps me have faith that things will get better."

Worker-ownership explained

People have been coming to us with questions about worker-ownership and the co-op business model, and so we decided to write a quick explainer!

Check it out: coopcincy.org/workerownership

Co-op updates

Heritage Hill receives grant

Heritage Hill was 1 of 36 minority-owned businesses to receive grants from the Lincoln and Gilbert Initiative. Heritage Hill received the maximum amount of $15,000.

See the coverage in WKRC-TV Channel 12.

A Touch of TLC approved for Ohio program

A Touch of TLC Home Care officially was approved for Ohio's PASSPORT Medicaid waiver program, which helps Medicaid-eligible older Ohioans get the long-term services and support they need.

Queen City Commons continues growing

Queen City Commons has been busy! Recently they have:

  • implemented their 6th community drop-off bin, opening one at Redden Fine Meats and Seafood in Madeira

  • welcomed Brown Bear Bakery, Ditsch pretzel manufacturers, and the Schoolhouse Lofts as composters

  • begun piloting a composting program with a 200-unit condo building in Oakley

Visit Queen City Commons at the Northside and Madeira farmers markets the first week of every month!

Movement News

  • "Worker-Owned Apps are Redefining the Sharing Economy" in Wired

  • "NC’s Industrial Commons Creates Thriving New Communities from the Ashes of Old Industries" in Shareable

Upcoming events

  • Fri Aug 12 from 1-3 pm: Co-op Cincy co-op tour. To learn more and sign up, see this questionnaire.

  • Aug 27 from 4-6 pm: our annual co-op appreciation festival at Our Harvest's urban farm in College Hill (969 W North Bend Rd.), located on the beautiful, historic Bahr Farm. With music and food. Register now.

  • Fri Sep 16 from 9-11 am: Co-op Cincy co-op tour. To learn more and sign up, see this questionnaire.

  • Fri Oct 14 from 1-3 pm: Co-op Cincy co-op tour. To learn more and sign up, see this questionnaire.

June 2022 Update: Annual co-op festival! And more news!

Our annual co-op appreciation festival is Aug 27! 

We're planning our annual co-op appreciation festival for Saturday, Aug. 27. We'd love to see you there!

The festival will be held from 4-6 pm at Our Harvest's urban farm in College Hill (969 W North Bend Rd.), located on the beautiful, historic Bahr Farm.

Come meet the teams behind our 14 co-ops, learn more about their products, & connect with other Co-op Cincy supporters. There will be music & free food!

Register now so we can get a head count:

Photos of our last annual festival

City approves $100K for Co-op Cincy

The new budget from the City Council of Cincinnati includes $100,000 in funding for Co-op Cincy! This is the first time we've received direct financial support from the City!

Half of that money will go to our loan fund, enabling us to help new and existing worker-owned businesses access financing. The other half will fund our technical assistance program, enabling worker-owned businesses to develop a solid foundation and grow. This money will directly help us build community wealth and preserve family-sustaining jobs in Cincinnati.

In addition to awarding Co-op Cincy $100,000 in funding, the City Council designated Queen Mother's Market (QMM) as a priority for surplus spending. QMM is working to start a Black- and women-led co-op grocery store in Walnut Hills, a food desert. You can donate to support their grocery store here.

Big thanks to all the City Council members for their support, and special thanks to Council Member Greg Landsman and Vice-Mayor Jan-Michele Kearney for advocating for us.

We'd also like to thank all the people who spoke at the city's budget input forums in June.

Interested in donating to our loan fund and technical assistance program? You can do so here.

Ellen Vera, our Director of Development and Co-op Organizing, speaking with her daughter at the last city budget input forum

Documentary begins shooting 

This month, award-winning filmmakers Mark Dworkin and Melissa Young of Moving Images began shooting a documentary exploring Co-op Cincy's work and our efforts to build an economy that works for all. Dworkin and Young spoke to staff, co-op members, partners, and community representatives.

We're grateful for their work and very excited to see the results. One of their many previous documentaries, Shift Change, told the story of co-ops and worker-ownership in the United States and Spain.

Other updates

Deadlines near for Power in Numbers & Construction Co-op U

Power in Numbers applications due July 8


Beginning in September, we’re offering another Power in Numbers, our co-op business boot camp for Black-led teams!

The free, 14-week course helps Black-led teams of entrepreneurs work through the process of launching a co-op business and build wealth for the long term.

As a co-op business incubator, we support participants in the process and offer ongoing technical assistance after they launch their co-op business.

Applications are due by July 8 – apply today! Know someone who might be interested? Share this message!

Construction Co-op U now starts in September


Our Construction Co-op U is an online training and support program that helps teams develop a worker-owned business in a construction-related field.

Originally planned for the summer, the course's start date has been pushed back to September.

Participants will:

  • Adapt a proven, replicable business model and develop a successful business plan of their own

  • Benefit from weekly trainings, 1-on-1 mentorship, and technical assistance, as well as hands-on training by professionals

  • Receive assistance incorporating and structuring your business

  • Have an opportunity to access financing

New board members

We recently welcomed two new members to our wonderful Board of Directors!

Big thanks to Clement Tsao and Adrienne Wiley for helping support worker-ownership and create an economy that works for all! A bit about them:

Clement is a labor and employment attorney at Branstetter, Stranch & Jennings, where he represents labor unions in all aspects of labor relations and provides counsel on matters involving contract negotiations, grievance arbitrations, and organizing.

Fun fact about him: He still watches Grey's Anatomy.

Adrienne is the Executive Director of the Healing Center, a non-profit organization aimed at helping individuals and families gain and maintain economic, social, emotional, and spiritual well-being.

Fun fact about her: There is currently artwork inspired by Adrienne hanging in the Cincinnati Art Museum.

For our full board, see https://coopcincy.org/staff-and-board

Shontelle starts summer internship

We’re thrilled to have Shontelle Johnson interning with us this summer!

Shontelle is a rising sophomore at Xavier University majoring in Political Science and minoring in Economics, and she’s the chair of the Student Rights and Identity Committee of the Student Government Association. This summer she’s helping us get testimonials from co-op members and program participants.

Fun facts about her: She really likes Beyoncé and she cannot dance. She’s originally from metro Atlanta.

Co-op updates

Farm stand at Our Harvest

Our Harvest now has a farm stand at Bahr farm (969 West North Bend Rd.) in College Hill from 4-6 pm on Thursdays. Come meet the farmers, pick up a harvest box, and browse their weekly selection of locally grown vegetables! EBT payment available!

Also, Fox19 talked to Farm Lead Alex Otto for a short segment at the farm! We are still tracking down a link.

Queen Mother's Market receives $200K grant

Queen Mother's Market was awarded a Healthy Food Funding Initiative Grant of $200,000!

With 294 applications, we are beyond grateful to HFFI for believing in QMM's plan to launch a Black- and women-owned co-op grocery store in the Walnut Hills neighborhood.

QMM is still raising money with the goal of opening a brick-and-mortar store by 2024. Want to support them? You can donate here.

This month, QMM also presented during the Midwest Regional Sustainability Summit as part of the Food Secure Community panel.

Heritage Hill celebrates Juneteenth

Heritage Hill hosted a Juneteenth celebration at their Arlington Heights warehouse with music, Black food vendors, and special Juneteenth clothing.

The event, mentioned in the Cincinnati Enquirer and Cincinnati Magazine, was "about celebrating the resilience of a people to overcome," said Brandon Z. Hoff, Founder and CEO.

"We recognize that the bondage and brutality of slavery in this country destroyed lives and families. Juneteenth celebrates those last enslaved people in Gavelston, Texas, who were finally told that slavery had been abolished.”

Queen City Commons presents at conference

Queen City Commons presented during the Midwest Regional Sustainability Summit as part of the Resilient Composting panel.

Co-op Cincy mentions

  • Common Future examined some of the issues with childcare in this country and how to work toward solutions. Their article discussed organizations who have tried combining the cooperative model and childcare and featured our recent transition of Shine Nurture Center to worker-ownership.

Movement news

  • Apple workers at Maryland store voted to unionize, a first in the U.S.

  • In “The Radical Root of CSAs,” Jared Spears explains why the “CSA model of funding and sustaining locally-rooted agriculture has grown exponentially around the globe over the past four decades.” Our Harvest, which uses the CSA model, is part of this wave.

Solidarity

Ellen Vera, our director of development and co-op organizing, spoke at the Labor Notes conference in Chicago with Flequer Vera, CEO of Sustainergy.

Upcoming events

  • July 8 from 12-3 pm: Co-op Cincy co-op tour. To learn more and sign up, see this questionnaire.

  • Aug 27 from 4-6 pm: our annual co-op appreciation festival at Our Harvest's urban farm in College Hill (969 W North Bend Rd), located on the beautiful, historic Bahr Farm. With music and food. Register now.

May 2022 Update: Free Workbook & More

Electronic Worker-Owner Workbook Now Free! 📘

Good news – we’ve made the e-book version of our Worker-Owner Workbook freely available on our website!

The book is the end product of 5 years of development. It's designed to help teams develop co-op businesses and worker-ownership culture. It also explores the power of union co-ops and deeply integrated co-op networks.

Access the e-book at https://coopcincy.org/resources

If you’d prefer hardcopies, print versions are available for purchase.

The Workbook teaches the nuts and bolts of running a co-op business, from business financials to conflict management to team building.

It also contains essential information about the co-op movement, labor movement, and the Mondragon cooperative network of Spain.

Co-op Network Builds Connections

In April, we had our 1st co-op network meeting of the year!

Many of the members in our network of co-op businesses came. They had great conversations and made powerful connections. Big thanks to everyone who joined!

For more on our co-op network, see https://coopcincy.org/co-ops-overview.

Sustainergy CEO Chats with U.S. Labor Secretary

Sustainergy CEO Flequer Vera (in orange, below) discussed the advantages of the worker co-op model with US Secretary of Labor Marty Walsh (on the far left, below) on May 13 while speaking on a panel for the Good Jobs Initiative.

The panel explored how private sector employers can recruit, retain, and strengthen their workforce through improved job quality.

Panelists included American Sustainable Business Network President David Levine and small business leaders.

Watch the recording on YouTube.

And here’s coverage in CNN.

Other Updates

Refugee Youth Visit Our Harvest

We had a great time visiting Our Harvest urban farm with students from Aiken High School at the start of May – this was their first day learning about farming on site!

We are teaching a 12-week course designed to help refugee youth learn how to apply the co-op business and agricultural models here in Greater Cincinnati. 🌼

Thanks to our partners Our Harvest (our oldest co-op), Refugee Connect, Catholic Charities of Southwest Ohio, and Aiken High School!

Deadline for Power in Numbers Nears

Beginning in September, we’re offering another Power in Numbers, our co-op business boot camp for Black-led teams!

The free, 14-week course helps Black-led teams of entrepreneurs work through the process of launching a co-op business and build wealth for the long term.

As a co-op business incubator, we support participants in the process and offer ongoing technical assistance after they launch their co-op business.

Applications are due by July 8 – apply today! Know someone who might be interested? Share this message!

Co-op Tours Continue

We offered our second co-op tour on May 13. Attendees included

  • Trina Jackson, Director of the Hamilton County Office of Re-entry

  • Cincinnati Council Member Greg Landsman

  • Barbara Bell, Chief of Staff to Greg Landsman

  • Daniella Mostow, participant in our Cooperative Management Certificate course

The tours are part of our efforts to spread awareness about the co-op business model and how it’s taking off in Cincinnati.

Want to attend one? To learn more and sign up, see this questionnaire. Upcoming co-op tour dates:

  • Jun 10 from 12-3 pm

  • Jul 8 from 9 am-12 pm

Gem City Market Celebrates 1 Year!

Gem City Market in Dayton recently celebrated their 1-year anniversary with a block party and sale! Woohoo!

As a co-op, Gem City Market is owned by the community. Learn how to support the market on their website.

Co-op Updates

Massage for the People Celebrates 1 Year!

Massage for the People, which offers high-quality, affordable massage, celebrated their 1-year anniversary!

Their team of trained therapists provides step-by-step, holistic, hands-on assessments.

Queen City Commons Receives Grant and Will Present at Conference 

Queen City Commons, which provides composting and food scrap collection services, recently received a grant from Hamilton County Recycling and Solid Waste to purchase a new vehicle. This means more capacity!

Queen City Commons will also be presenting during the Midwest Regional Sustainability Summit as part of the Resilient Composting panel on June 16. Learn more here.

Sustainergy Launches Solar Division 🌞

After spending the past several years improving homeowners' comfort and efficiency, Sustainergy is excited to officially launch their residential solar division!

Go to www.sustainergy.coop/solar-energy or call (513) 244-2700 for a FREE estimate to see if solar is right for you!

Heritage Hill To Celebrate Juneteenth

Heritage Hill is having a Juneteenth celebration next month!

Follow us on social media for updates.

Our Harvest Launches Cultivator Program

Our Harvest's new membership program, Our Harvest Cultivator, allows you to select 1 of 4 levels to access exclusive content and events.

As an Our Harvest Cultivator, you can participate in educational events and support a community creating access to healthy, local food in a way that honors land and labor.

Our Co-ops in the Media

  • Soapbox ran an article on Heritage Hill, which recently transitioned to worker-ownership

  • Queen City Commons was profiled in CityBeat

Movement News

  • Worker co-ops stayed resilient during the Covid-19 pandemic and recession, according to the recent state of worker co-ops report by the U.S. Federation of Worker Co-ops. During 2021, 73% of worker co-ops offered discounts or resources to meet community needs, 60% offered discounts or resources to another cooperative, and 61% worked with local or regional mutual aid networks to meet a community need. Read the report.

  • People of color and women are behind much of the recent growth in the cooperative economy, according to "What We Learn From Black- and Women-Led Cooperative Practice” in Next City

Upcoming Events

  • May 21 from 12-3 pm: Cookout with Cardinal Land Conservancy and Our Harvest at Bahr Farm. Come see the farm in its grand beauty, meet the farm team, learn about Cardinal Land Conservancy (which protects the land from development through a trust), and meet other folks interested in care for land and local food.

  • June 10 from 12-3 pm: Co-op Cincy co-ops tour. To learn more and sign up, see this questionnaire.

  • June 16: Resilient Composting: A Story of Collaboration in Cincinnati, a panel at the Midwest Regional Sustainability Summit featuring Queen City Commons. Learn more.

  • June 16: A Food Secure Community: Resilience Through Relationships, Trust and Local Solutions, a panel at the Midwest Regional Sustainability Summit featuring Mona M. Jenkins, our cooperative food justice coordinator. Learn more.

  • June 17-19: Labor Notes Conference in Chicago. Ellen Vera, our director of development and co-op organizing, will be speaking at the conference. Learn more.

  • July 8 from 12-3 pm: Co-op Cincy co-ops tour. To learn more and sign up, see this questionnaire.

Happy Earth Day!

On April 22, we celebrated the environmental movement and the crucial efforts to achieve ecological sustainability.

As part of our celebration, we want to highlight some of the co-ops in our network that contribute to a more sustainable world.

We also have other exciting updates.

Our Harvest Marks 10 Years in Business!

Our Harvest, a local farm and the 1st co-op in our network, celebrated 10 years this month!

Our Harvest grows food responsibly on 12 acres, partners with other local growers, and develops innovative solutions to make healthy food widely available. They believe all people should have easy access to healthy food grown by fairly-compensated workers. And their regenerative agricultural model builds healthy soils and sequesters carbon.

Steve Dienger, Farm Manager and Worker Owner, reflected on Our Harvest's journey in a recent newsletter from Our Harvest.

"My, how time flies when you're having fun! Well, it wasn't all fun, but I will say that it has been the most meaningful endeavor I have ever taken part in," Steve wrote. "Thank you to all of you for supporting us during the hard times and the good times. We owe you a great debt of gratitude!"

Zeke Coleman, Senior Sales and Distribution Staff Member and Worker Owner, said in a phone interview that, if he had to explain what Our Harvest means to him in one word, it would be fairness. "We are treating the earth fairly and we are treating the people that work for and support the whole organization fairly."

Sustainergy Grows 50% in 2021

Sustainergy is the 2nd-oldest co-op in our network. Since 2014, they have been improving residential energy efficiencies and reducing carbon emissions in Greater Cincinnati. In 2021, their sales grew more than 50%, and they began their search for a New Market Director to expand into Dayton!

Queen City Commons Hits 125+ Home Drop-off Members

Queen City Commons provides food scrap collection and composting services, reducing landfilled waste and returning energy from food scraps to local food production. They recently reached 125+ residential drop-off members, received a grant to purchase a new vehicle, and were featured on Cincy Lifestyle and in CityBeat!

Course Alert: Apply Now for Next Power in Numbers

Co-op Business Boot Camp Helps Black-Led Teams

Beginning in September, we’re offering another Power in Numbers, our co-op business boot camp for Black-led teams!

The free, 14-week course helps Black-led teams of entrepreneurs work through the process of launching a co-op business and build wealth for the long term.

As a co-op business incubator, we support participants in the process and offer ongoing technical assistance after they launch their co-op business.

Applications are due by July 8 – apply today!

Other Updates

Co-op Cincy Requests Funding from City of Cincinnati

On April 4 a few of our staff members, co-op network members, and supporters made a request to the City of Cincinnati's Budget Committee.

We asked for financial support for our revolving loan fund, which aids and helps launch small cooperative businesses in Cincinnati, with a special focus on providing business ownership opportunities to people from underserved and historically marginalized groups.

Thanks to those who came out and to the Budget Committee members who listened to our request!

If you would like to support our request, please submit comments to the Budget Committee here! Select 'Budget and Finance' under 'Committee of Interest' and enter your comments in the 'Comments Box'. You can encourage the city to support co-op business development by financing our loan fund.

Cooperative Management Certificate Course Starts

This month we began our 2nd Cooperative Management Certificate course, which explores ways to align incentives and structure businesses in ways that make them profoundly accountable to workers, environments, and communities.

The 12-week course is offered in partnership with Xavier University Leadership Center.

Co-op Tours

Curious about our co-ops? We’re offering more free tours this year! To learn more and sign up, see this questionnaire. Upcoming co-op tour dates:

  • May 13 from 9 am-noon

  • Jun 10 from noon-3 pm

  • Jul 8 from 9 am-noon

Home Care for Those in Need

Want to provide home care for people with limited resources?

Donate now, and your gift will provide home care from A Touch of TLC Home Care. To make a donation, go to our Donate page, select an amount, and choose Donate. On the next page, select "Write a note," and enter "Home care." Then complete your donation.

Co-op Cincy in the News

More News

  • Check out this inspiring video from BBC News on how cooperative networks help forests thrive:

    • "By plugging into the fungal network, trees can share resources with each other. The system has been nicknamed the World Wide Web."

  • From Cincinnati CityBeat: The Vine Street Starbucks in Cincinnati became the first in the city to seek unionization.

  • Edible Ohio Valley ran an article on Guided by Mushrooms, a family-owned and operated mushroom farm in Dayton. In partnership with Co-op Dayton and with the help of Miami Valley SBDC, we’re excited to support Guided by Mushrooms as they transition to worker-ownership.

  • Via The City: Amazon workers successfully organized on Staten Island.

  • From Truthout: "We Need an Economy Without Bosses and Managers. Participatory Economics Is How."

  • Via Axios: Low pay and no advancement opportunities were top reasons people quit in 2021.

Resources

  • Ellen Vera, our director of development and co-op organizing, presented "A Union Co-op Model - Co-op Cincy 10 Years On" through CooperationWorks! Watch the webinar via YouTube.

  • Ellen also appeared on the Owners at Work Podcast with Jonathan Welle of Cleveland Owns. They talked about efforts to expand worker-ownership in Ohio! Listen here.

Upcoming Events

Happy Women’s History Month! 

Here at Co-op Cincy, 75% of our staff members are women, and 71% of the individuals employed in our co-op network are women. As an organization, we strive to build an economy that’s equitable and inclusive – an economy that works for all. 

Julia Marchese (left) and Marie Hopkins of Queen City Commons

Women’s History Month provides an opportunity to honor the women who have played a vital role in our lives and the lives of those before us. And so we’d like to highlight a few of the amazing women in our co-op network!

Julia Marchese is one of two women behind Queen City Commons, a co-op business that provides clean and timely food scrap collection in Greater Cincinnati. For Julia, Women’s History Month offers an opportunity for women in business to “be recognized and appreciated and just seen as legitimate actors in the field.”

Julia and fellow worker-owner Marie Hopkins faced skepticism when launching their co-op business because they were women. “We met with hesitance from certain mentors,” Julia said. “They would call us a project or minimize what we were trying to do. And I do think that comes from generally viewing women as inferior.”

The Queen City Commons team takes inspiration from the composting community. “What inspires Marie and I is just figuring out a way to be a part of the composing infrastructure in Cincinnati and taking it as something not that we do by ourselves, but that we do collaboratively with other urban agriculture folks.”

Mona M. Jenkins speaks at the launch event and fundraiser for Queen Mother’s Market

Mona M. Jenkins is one of three female worker-owners behind Queen Mother’s Market, which is working to start a Black- and women-led co-op grocery store in the Walnut Hills neighborhood, a food desert. A Kroger store closed there in 2017.

Mona said it was important to acknowledge the contributions of women. “We’ve always lived in a patriarchal system,” she explained. “We’ve always highlighted that men were bread winners and never acknowledged that women contributed just as much if not more to the success of businesses and the wellness of family.” 

In launching Queen Mother’s Market, Mona was influenced by the need for community. “As Black women, we’re raised as caregivers, so I think that our approach is trying to take care of each other.”

She said that while the concept of a co-op is foreign to some, many women have used the model in the past. She cited the example of Fannie Lou Hamer. “I’ve seen it in action through previous women in history who came before me,” Mona said, “and had the same aspirations of building community and providing the needs for the community and trying to find justice for Blacks, people of color, and folks who were low-income.”

Hope Gordon of Hopes Fulfilled Farm 2 Table

Hope Gordon started Hopes Fulfilled Farm 2 Table with her husband. Their goal is to open a food truck that provides access to fresh, healthy food. 

During Black History Month, Hope learned about the concept of counter-storytelling, which “reveals the stories of people whose experiences are not often told or who in many cases have been purposely silenced.” This category includes women, who were historically relegated to background roles, Hope explained. “So a lot of times it may have been women who create things and men get the accolades.”

Hope wants to see women compensated like men. “Equal work for equal pay,” she said.

She is inspired by food. “Food is power. And I like to see people in power through food and agribusiness.” 

March 2022 Update: Apparel Company Becomes a Co-op!

💜 Our 2nd Transition 💜

We recently finished transitioning Heritage Hill to worker-ownership. Located in Greater Cincinnati, Heritage Hill is an apparel company focused on Black culture.

This is our 2nd transition, and we're working on more. Hooray — the co-op model is gaining momentum!

From left, the worker-owners behind Heritage Hill: Janeine Williams, Brandon Z. Hoff, & Marcus Bethay

Heritage Hill's Story

Brandon Z. Hoff started Heritage Hill in 2019 after noticing a lack of diversity in the world of collegiate merchandise. He planned to supply apparel to historically Black colleges while also enabling students to make products for their schools.

"The goal was to unify the Black entrepreneurial community with the Black consumer," Brandon said.

Brandon learned about Co-op Cincy from a friend and took part in our Business Legacy Fund program in 2021. He was looking for a way to "participate in capitalism without being predatory."

The co-op model appealed to him because it centers fairness. "I really want people who work in the company to have an opportunity to benefit from the company."

Heritage Hill sells t-shirts, hoodies, and sweatshirts that celebrate Black culture. Originally operating out of a basement, they moved into an 8,000 square foot facility in Arlington Heights this year.

As Brandon pointed out, the cooperative model has a long history in the Black community. "This has been very important for Black Americans, since there has been a history of disenfranchisement and discrimination. Black people have had to work together."

Heritage Hill finished transitioning to the co-op business structure in February. Currently the co-op has 3 worker-owners, with 2 people interested in joining.

The transition was seamless. "Co-op Cincy has been very helpful," Brandon said. "They came with a ready-made template."

In addition to expanding, Heritage Hill's goal is to develop some form of business academy or educational opportunities. "We want people to be familiar with business ownership and what that looks like."

Heritage Hill can support companies, organizations, and teams with whatever their apparel needs might be. Contact hello@heritagehill.co with requests or for more information.

Co-op Cincy is working to help more businesses like Heritage Hill become worker co-ops through our Business Legacy Fund. We support transitions via technical and financial assistance. Want to help us build an economy that works for all? Donate now!

Queen Mother's Market Holds Launch Party 🎉

Thanks to everyone who came out on March 1 to support Queen Mother's Market Cooperative at their launch party and fundraiser!

QMM had an inspiring roster of speakers for their launch event, which was held at Esoteric Brewing Company and received coverage in WCPO 9:

QMM is working to start a Black, women-led grocery cooperative store in Walnut Hills, a food desert. A Kroger store closed in the neighborhood in 2017. The full-service grocery store will be focused on affordable, healthy foods.

QMM is one of the emerging co-ops in our network and is partnering with the Walnut Hills Redevelopment Foundation. As a cooperative, or co-op, QMM will be owned by the Walnut Hills community and its employees.

Want to support QMM? Donate to their gofundme:

QMM emerged from our first Power in Numbers, a co-op business boot camp for Black-led teams. We'll be offering another Power in Numbers in the fall. Learn more on our site.

Women’s History Month

Happy Women's History Month! This month on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn, we'll be highlighting some of the women behind our co-ops. Our list of women-led co-ops ranges from Shine Nurture Center, a childcare center that transitioned to worker-ownership in January, to Cincy Cleaning Co-op, an immigrant- and women-led residential cleaning co-op business.

Actually, 71% of the individuals employed in our co-op network are women, and 75% of Co-op Cincy's staff are women. We'll continue to celebrate the contributions of women while striving to build a world that's diverse, equitable, and inclusive.

Other Updates

Co-op Tour with City Officials

At the beginning of the month, we gave Vice Mayor Jan-Michele Lemon Kearney (middle left) and Council Member Meeka Owens (right) a tour of our co-op businesses. Here they are with Tia Coleman of Our Harvest (left) and our Executive Director, Kristen Barker (middle right). Thank you, Vice Mayor Kearney and Council Member Owens, for spending time with us!

We have additional co-op tours coming up. Interested? See this questionnaire. Co-op tour dates:

  • Apr 8 from 12-3 pm

  • May 13 from 9 am-noon

  • Jun 10 from noon-3 pm

  • Jul 8 from 9 am-noon

New Symposium Recordings

We've shared the last recordings from our 2021 Union Co-op Symposium, which drew more than 200 people from around the world.

We recently posted the following sessions to our YouTube channel:

Thanks to everyone who made the 2-day, hybrid event possible! It was an inspiring gathering of social entrepreneurs, labor organizers, co-op workers, community development practitioners, and others with a vested interest in equitable economic development.

Deadline Nears for Cooperative Management Certificate Course

Applications are due March 20 for our Cooperative Management Certificate, which explores ways to align incentives and structure businesses in ways that make them profoundly accountable to workers, environments, and communities. Apply now! See coopcincy.org/certificate.

The 12-week course starts in April and is offered in partnership with Xavier University Leadership Center.

Subjects covered include:

  • Basics of co-op businesses

  • Intro to democratic workplaces

  • Case studies of co-op businesses

  • Organizational development

  • Participatory management practices

  • Open book management and Great Game of Business

  • Business and financial models

  • Team development

In the News

Upcoming Events

2021 Annual Report

 
 

2021 in Review

Staff members Ellen Vera (left) and Cynthia Pinchback-Hines during our annual co-op appreciation tour.

When the Covid-19 pandemic struck in 2020, we viewed it as a turning point. Then the pandemic kept going.

In 2021, as we learned to live with the virus, we saw the results of misinformation, widening inequality, and broken systems: attacks on our democracy, soaring inflation, a shuddering global economy, and a spate of extreme weather events. But 2021 also offered reasons for hope: mass resignations in response to paltry worker protections and benefits, increases in worker pay, the formation of new labor unions, and accelerating movements for racial, social, and climate justice.

Across the United States and the world, the pandemic brought a sustained focus on systemic transformation. And, again and again, communities rejected unsustainable patterns of economic development for innovative alternatives, including our own preferred model: the union co-op. This model joins the best tenets of the labor movement with opportunities for sustainable wealth-building and self-determination. As a result, it fosters prosperity in historically marginalized communities.

Ten years ago, Co-op Cincy began promoting the union co-op model through outreach, education, and technical assistance. Since forming our loan fund with Seed Commons in 2018, we have loaned $366,000 to co-op businesses. And in the last few years, we have provided worker-ownership training to more than 1,300 people annually. Currently, our co-op network includes 12 co-ops employing 89 individuals, of which roughly 71% are women and 67% people of color.

As we celebrate our 10-year anniversary, we’re excited by many of the ongoing shifts around us, and we would love to hear from you about how we can strengthen our co-op network, increase our impact, and grow our community. We look forward to continuing to build an economy that works for all!

Co-op Story

Massage for the People

Jason Minturn (left) and Davi Roundtree (middle) of Massage for the People stand with Alex Otto from Our Harvest.

Three years ago, Jason Minturn was working for a corporate massage chain. Underpaid and dissatisfied with the employer-employee relationship, he began researching better ways to run a massage business.

When he learned about worker co-ops, he felt an immediate connection to the concept. “Even though I just learned this term in the last few years, I feel like I’ve been looking for it my entire life,” he said. “I want everyone to be fairly compensated and I want decisions that are also fair.”

Jason and fellow massage therapist Megan Doerman connected with Co-op Cincy in 2019 and launched Massage for the People in 2021. Massage therapist Davi Roundtree joined soon afterward.

Massage for the People specializes in Swedish massage, muscle energy techniques for pelvic stabilization, and craniosacral massage, with the goal of helping people thrive. They are hoping to add a fourth massage therapist in 2022.

Jason believes the worker co-op model has appeal across political lines. “There are a lot of people out in the world who would support this because of their basic human need for fairness.”

Business Legacy Fund

Shine Nurture Center, a childcare business founded in 2015, initiated the process of transitioning to worker-ownership through our Business Legacy Fund.

We recruited 5 entrepreneurs to transition businesses to worker-ownership through our Business Legacy Fund, which helps retiring business owners sell to their workers, thereby saving jobs and maintaining legacies. We also conducted outreach about worker-ownership, educating 6 businesses about this option. And we began the process of transitioning Shine Nurture Center, a childcare business with 12 workers and $350,000 in revenue, to worker-ownership.

Statewide Network

OWN members from around the state met at Gem City Market in Dayton.

Our statewide Ohio Worker Ownership Network (OWN) released the Building Legacies report on Ohio’s business succession crisis and why worker-ownership is the solution. The report garnered coverage in WCPO 9, 91.7 WVXU, and elsewhere. Formed in 2021 with Co-op Cincy as the lead organizer, OWN strives to expand worker-ownership by raising awareness, providing technical assistance, and connecting business owners with resources. During 2021, OWN grew from 3 to 10 member organizations.

Power in Numbers

The team behind Queen Mother’s Market participated in our 1st Power in Numbers.

We held our very 1st Power in Numbers, our co-op business boot camp for Black-led teams. Five groups participated in the course, which was designed to help them build successful co-op business plans through intensive education on co-op history, business models, and cooperative management, with the training contextualized from a Black perspective. Three co-op businesses emerged: Queen Mother’s Market, Body by Bodji, and Hopes Fulfilled Farm 2 Table.

Union Co-op Symposium

More than 200 people from around the world participated in our 5th Union Co-op Symposium. During the 2-day hybrid event, we discussed practical tools on how to start and run union worker co-ops. Here’s what one participant said: “So much profound exploration of ideas and sharing of experiences!”

 

Speakers discuss values-aligned financing during Financing Transformation, one of the virtual sessions from the Symposium.

 

Our Work

 
 

What We’ve Done

  • Co-op U: Provided 3 co-op business training courses: 1 for Black-led teams, 1 for refugees, and 1 focused on childcare co-op businesses.

  • Cooperative Management Certificate: Offered our 1st course on the power and possibilities of cooperative management mindsets, partnering with Xavier University’s Xavier Leadership Center.

  • Business Legacy Fund: Held our 1st program to transition businesses to worker-ownership, with 6 companies pariticipating and 5 transition managers receiving training.

Where We’re Going

  • Co-op U: Provide 3 co-op business training courses: 1 for Black-led teams, 1 for refugees, and 1 focused on construction co-op businesses with participants from around the country. The construction co-op business course will be our 1st utilizing the “train-the-trainer” strategy and will be aimed at replicating Sustainergy’s successful co-op business model.

  • Cooperative Management Certificate: Offer our 2nd course, partnering with Xavier University’s Xavier Leadership Center.

  • Business Legacy Fund: Focus on transitioning larger, more established businesses to worker-ownership in our 2nd program.

 
 

What We’ve Done

  • Co-op start-ups: Helped launch 5 new co-op businesses, with 4 in Cincinnati and 1 out-of-state.

  • Loans: Loaned $95,000 to 3 co-op businesses in our network in 2021 through the Seed Commons financial co-op, including a $68,000 loan enabling Sustainergy to expand into solar panel installation.

  • Network: Formalized our co-op network and policies.

Where We’re Going

  • Co-op start-ups: Help launch 3-10 co-op business, with 3-7 of them based in Greater Cincinnati.

  • Loans: Loan $1 million to co-op businesses in our network through the Seed Commons financial co-op, helping our growing network of co-op businesses evolve and thrive.

  • Network: Strengthen our co-op nework infrastructure and continue to deepen ties among co-ops.

 
 

What We’ve Done

  • Ohio Worker Ownership Network (OWN): Held 1st in-person meeting of OWN and expanded membership from 3 to 10 organizations, laying foundation for continued growth of the worker-ownership model.

  • Networking: Organized 5th Union Co-op Symposium, drawing more than 200 participants from around the world for a 2-day, hybrid conference on how to start and run union worker co-ops.

  • Education: Began creating training videos about cooperative principles and the co-op business model.

Where We’re Going

  • Ohio Worker Ownership Network (OWN): Build capacity within OWN and member organizations, accelerate development of co-op businesses across the state, and impact statewide policy.

  • Networking: Maintain and strengthen connections created with local, national, and international partners during the 5th Union Co-op Symposium, as well as those made in other collaborations.

  • Education: Finish and disseminate educational videos and Co-op U Manual & Facilitator Guide to increase awareness of worker-ownership and advance co-op business training.

Finances

 
 
 
 

Staff

  • Kristen Barker, Executive Director

  • Ellen Vera, Director of Development & Co-op Organizing

  • Mary Steele, Bookkeeper

  • Paloma Correa, Co-op Culture & Business Developer

  • Cynthia Pinchback-Hines, Racial Justice Educator & Co-op Developer

  • Clancy McGilligan, Communications & Development Program Manager

  • Christopher Bennett, Business Legacy Fund Acquisition Program Manager

  • Mona M. Jenkins, Cooperative Food Justice Coordinator

Board

  • Katy Heins, President

    Senior Field Organizer, Center for Community Change

  • Flequer Vera, Vice President

    CEO, Sustainergy Cooperative

  • Ty Fields, Treasurer

    Founder & President, STARS Youth Enrichment Program, Inc

  • Kristen Barker, Secretary

    Executive Director, Co-op Cincy

  • Phil Amadon

    Founding Member & Labor Leader

  • Zahki Davis

    Business and Finance Associate, Taft Stettinius & Hollister LLP

  • Brian Griffin

    Executive Secretary-Treasurer, Cincinnati AFL-CIO Labor Council

  • Jamie Love

    Director of Programs, Climate Innovation at Movement Strategy Center

  • David McLean

    Subdistrict 5 Director, USW

  • Ellen Vera

    Director of Development & Co-op Organizing, Co-op Cincy

Sustaining Donors

Co-op Cincy deeply appreciates the support of our Sustaining Donors!

Transformative Funders

  • Capital Impact Partners

  • Carol Ann & Ralph V. Haile, Jr Foundation

  • Common Future Reimagine Fund

  • Greater Cincinnati Foundation

  • Ira Block Foundation

  • Open Society Foundations

  • Seed Commons

  • U.S. Office of Refugee Resettlement

  • The Workers Lab

Solidarity Sponsors

  • Cincinnati AFL-CIO

  • Cincinnati Development Fund

  • Co-op Dayton

  • Episcopal Society of Christ Church

  • Eric Britton

  • First Financial Bank

  • IBEW Local 212

  • ICA Group

  • Meshewa Farm Foundation

  • National Cooperative Bank

  • Ohio Employee Ownership Center

  • PNC

  • Shared Capital Cooperative

  • Steve Sleigh

  • Sustainergy

  • United Food and Commercial Workers Local 75

  • United Steelworkers District 1 Subdistrict 5

  • Xavier University’s Brueggeman Center for Dialogue

1worker1vote is building a national network of shared ownership, regional, and municipal ecosystems starting with unionized worker-owned co-ops, with the goal of overcoming structural inequalities of opportunity, mobility, and income, and building pathways out of poverty and toward prosperity.

Feb 2022 update: Childcare Center Becomes Worker-Owned

'If I plan on being here for 10 years, why not be an owner?'

This month, we officially finished transitioning an existing business to worker-ownership!

Shine Nurture Center, a childcare center in the Mt. Airy neighborhood, joined a growing wave of businesses that are helping improve quality of life for workers and communities.

This is our 1st completed transition, and we're so thrilled! The process began when Shine’s team started our Business Legacy Fund program last year.

“For the workers, this transition has opened the door to building wealth for their families in a way that would never have been possible,” said Ellen Vera, our Director of Development and Co-op Organizing.

“And for the community, this succession has anchored an important child care center in the neighborhood long term.”

Shine's worker-owners celebrate with Ellen Vera, our Director of Development and Co-op Organizing, after the childcare center officially became worker-owned.

The Founder’s Story

Katie McGoron founded Shine in 2015 with the goal of creating a childcare center where children could play outside and eat healthy food.

Now that the business has a solid foundation, with a waiting list that typically includes 75 to 100 children, she decided to pursue a graduate degree. This month she finished the process of selling the business to 5 of her former employees.

McGoron wanted to give the employees an opportunity to make the business their own.

“It’s just such a great group,” she said of the current team. “I really wanted to take myself out of it, let them take Shine in the direction they see fit. I honestly think it will get better and better.”

“The responsibility of a business like that on one person’s shoulders is a lot," McGoron said. "When you can spread it over 5 shoulders, there’s more opportunity for growth.”

Mary Wilder, one of Shine's five worker-owners.

Beth Heeg (left) and Trisha Hay during a worker-owner meeting this month.

Shine’s Worker-Owners

Shine’s 5 worker-owners will now run and operate the childcare center by themselves. This business model, known as worker-ownership, has proven to be an effective way to create resilient jobs, generate wealth, and boost the local economy.

“I’ve definitely been celebrating all month and telling my kids, ‘Your Momma owns a business!’” said Mary Wilder, one of the new worker-owners, who has been employed by Shine for 2 years and has been in childcare for 12.

Before now, paperwork discouraged Mary from owning a childcare center. She changed her mind because Shine was “such a wonderful place to work.”

“If I plan on being here for 10 years, why not be an owner?” she said.

Other worker-owners at Shine cited the benefits of the worker-ownership model and the strength of the childcare center’s team.

Beth Heeg, who has been with Shine for 1 year, was attracted to the worker-ownership model because of the emphasis on “wealth redistribution."

Trisha Hay, who has worked at Shine for 3 years, said she decided to become a worker-owner because she felt she was never going to find another place like Shine.

“I was all-in immediately,” she said. “I feel like we all communicate and work really well together.”

Worker-Ownership Benefits

Why embrace the worker-owned business model? Worker-owned businesses are democratically run, giving workers a say. In addition, according to research, they have clear worker, company, and community benefits compared to traditional companies:

  1. Employee advantage: Employees at worker-owned businesses have better wages and benefits. 

  2. Company advantage: Worker-owned companies are more profitable and productive.

  3. Community advantage: Worker-owned businesses are less likely to close, relocate, or lay off workers during downturns.

“We are really excited that Shine has decided to transition to a worker-owned co-op,” said Vera of Co-op Cincy. “Selling to the workers was such a good option for the owner because she wanted to preserve her legacy and keep the business in the hands of the people who had helped her build it.” 

“It also allowed the owner to get a fair market price for the value she had built up in her business over the years, which is especially important in an industry such as childcare that is not known for having a lot of outside buyers that are typically interested in taking over.” 

Co-op Cincy Supports Transitions

To create a fairer and more resilient economy, Co-op Cincy’s Business Legacy Fund helps exiting or retiring business owners sell their companies to workers. The Fund, which supported Shine’s transition, helps save jobs and maintain legacies. Financing is accompanied by technical assistance.

McGoron said Co-op Cincy offered an essential “support system” for Shine’s transition. “We could not have figured out how to do this without the help of Co-op Cincy.”

Co-op Cincy has recruited transition managers in Cincinnati and is actively conducting outreach to local businesses. In addition, Co-op Cincy partners with organizations across the state and country to promote worker-ownership.

other Co-op Cincy Happenings

Applications Now Open for Cooperative Management Course

At a time when our world confronts climate crisis, rising inequality, and withering institutions, we have to rethink the way we do business, including how we organize companies. In our Cooperative Management Certificate course, we explore structures and practices that can help us meet the moment. Participants receive a certificate from the Xavier Leadership Center.

The upcoming course runs April through June, meeting once weekly for 12 weeks. The cost is $750, and applications are due March 20. To apply, please complete a short application form.

Questionnaire for 2022 Events

This year, we're planning a number of co-op tours and educational events. Interested? Pease complete this short questionnaire to indicate your preferences.

Planned co-op tours:

  • Wed, Mar 2 from 9 am-noon

  • Fri, Apr 8 from 12-3 pm

  • Fri, May 13 from 9 am-noon

  • Fri, Jun 10 from 12-3 pm

  • Fri, July 8 from 9 am-noon

  • Sat, Aug 13 from 4-6 pm

Planned educational events:

  • Tue, Mar 1 from 6-8 pm: Queen Mother's Market launch

  • Thu, Nov 10 from 530-730 pm: Co-op Cincy Annual Event

Board Retreat

At the end of January, we had an energizing virtual retreat with our Board of Directors! During the retreat, we discussed how to refine our goals and strengthen our impact in the coming years.

New Symposium Recordings

Via social media, we've been sharing recordings of sessions from our 2021 Union Co-op Symposium, which drew more than 200 people from around the world.

We recently posted the following sessions to our YouTube channel:

We'll be sharing more recordings during the coming weeks. The 2-day hybrid event was inspiring and brought together social entrepreneurs, labor organizers, co-op workers, community development practitioners, and others with a vested interest in equitable economic development.

Speakers discuss combining financing and meaningful co-op development during Financing Transformation, a session from the virtual day of our Symposium.

Co-op Updates

Sustainergy, which is expanding into the solar panel installation market, visited employee-owned Technicians For Sustainability in Tucson, Arizona, to receive training on best practices. Flequer Vera and Lewis Connell shadowed workers during their visit.

Sustainergy's Flequer Vera poses with employee-owners of Technicians for Sustainability in Tucson, Arizona.

Sustainergy is currently hiring for 2 new positions:

Queen Mother's Market, one of our newest co-ops, is having a launch event at Esoteric Brewing from 6-8 pm on March 1! See the Facebook event for more info. Queen Mother’s Market has created a regional buyer's club and is working toward starting a co-op grocery store in the Walnut Hills neighborhood of Cincinnati.

Queen City Commons presented at the Emergent Composter Competition of the U.S. Composting Council COMPOST 2022 Conference in Austin, Texas. They also partnered with the city of Cincinnati and other organizations for the Cincinnati Community Composting Collaborative, which aims to increase neighborhood-level composting infrastructure and community drop-off sites.

Our Harvest received a grant from the City of Cincinnati's Urban Agriculture Program in support of agriculture efforts within the city limits.

In the News

Congrats to Ashlee Young on being honored as one of 7 Black leaders making a difference in Cincinnati! We are grateful to have had Ashlee as one of the judges for our recent Power in Numbers pitch competition.

Upcoming Events

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