Community Connections: Anti-Oppression in Co-op Planning & Practices 

Participants of the workshop will gain knowledge and share resources on how to weave anti-oppression practices into the planning and operations of their co-ops. Together we will explore anti-oppressive strategies that build stronger/ more sustainable co-operatives while equipping worker-owners with tools toward creating accountable long-term relationships with the communities in which their businesses operate. By looking at examples of worker co-ops and other cooperative organizations that have successfully integrated anti-oppressive politics and practices into their structures, participants will workshop possibilities for implementing similar plans at their own co-ops from newly developing businesses, to all varieties of pre-existing co-ops. The workshop will be framed by short presentations on why anti-oppression work is crucial for the co-operative movement and lead into case studies (which will include some discussion) of anti-oppressive co-ops. The final third of the session will allow small group work for people to map out ways of incorporating these perspectives in planning at their own co-ops.

Esteban Kelly has worn many hats throughout his 9 years of organizing and living in housing, worker, student, and food cooperatives all over- from California to Michigan, Philadelphia, São Paulo, and New York. After 3 years as Director of Education and Training for the North American Students of Cooperation (NASCO), homeboy has settled into the busy routines of agitating on the NASCO board, working at the Mariposa Food Co-op as a member of the staff collective, and studying as a full-time doctoral student in Anthropology at the City University of New York (CUNY) Graduate Center. Esteban is also active in West Philadelphia anti-gentrification campaigns and is a core member of Philly Stands Up, a volunteer collective working with survivors as well as perpetrators of sexual assault in progressive communities. Lydia Pelot-Hobbs spent the last five years working in the co-operative movement. For four years she participated in the dining and housing co-ops of the Oberlin Student Co-operative Association where she co-coordinated the Committee on Privilege and Oppression. Currently she sits on the Board of Directors of the North American Students of Co-operation (NASCO) and lives in New Orleans supporting the community organizing for the Reconstruction and working with the Anti-Racism Working Group.