Episodios

  • The Sovereign Psyche Starts in the Community - Expanding Cooperative Economics and Collective Power

    The Sovereign Psyche Starts in the Community - Expanding Cooperative Economics and Collective Power
    Jul 2 2025
    In 2025 we turn our attention towards “Community Engagement and the Grassroots of Change.”
    Throughout the year we explore the stories, strategies, and successes of community-driven movements making a difference. Sovereign Psyche Starts in the Community: Expanding Cooperative Economics and Collective Power In this episode we explore the connection between Community Engagement, Cooperative Economics, and Sovereignty through the work of Ezrah Aharone, Adjunct Professor of Political Science at Delaware State University.
    Community Engagement & Cooperative Economics: The Bridge to Sovereignty.
    We take the position that community engagement and cooperative economics serve as a bridge to sovereignty.
    Community Engagement – the intentional process of involving people in collective action to address local issues, shape decisions, and build power through participation, dialogue, and trust. It centers on equity, shared leadership, and long-term capacity-building.
    Cooperative Economics – an economic model that emphasizes democratic ownership, shared resources, and mutual benefit.
    Sovereignty – “an energizing mindset, consciousness, and thought process by which people define and express freedom through the unique particularities of their political and ideological self-identity.” — Ezrah Aharone
    The Sovereign Psyche – challenges people to reject internalized systems of dependency, inferiority, and Western validation.
    Community Engagement becomes the first step in building a sovereign psyche because it awakens collective memory and practices shared agency.
    Cooperative Economics is sovereignty in action expressed through “institutional capacity and control over destiny.”
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    1 h
  • From Self to Solidarity - How Personal Empowerment Fuels Cooperative Economics (Part 2)

    From Self to Solidarity - How Personal Empowerment Fuels Cooperative Economics (Part 2)
    Jun 18 2025
    In 2025 we turn our attention towards “Community Engagement and the Grassroots of Change.” Throughout the year we explore the stories, strategies, and successes of community-driven movements making a difference. From Self to Solidarity: How Personal Empowerment Fuels Cooperative Economics
    A Conversation with Alana Griffin, Ambassador of Ujamaa Collective In Ep 86, we started a conversation about Personal Empowerment and Cooperative Economics through the lens of Ujamaa Collective, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. The Ujamaa collective acts as a catalyst to advance Africana Women by providing a fair trade marketplace for cultural, artistic and entrepreneurial exchange through cooperative economics. In this episode we continue the conversation with Alana Griffin, Ambassador of Ujamaa Collective.
    Join us as we explore the process from participation to power by reimagining the power of we.
    The point is to shift the perspective; to take action and create new possibilties with a different measuring stick.
    Personal Empowerment begins with individuals recognizing their inherent worth, capabilities, and power to make choices that impact their life and community.
    Personal empowerment cultivates self-awareness, responsibility, and action.
    Cooperative Economics channels that personal power into collective agency by providing structures—like cooperatives, credit unions, and mutual aid networks—that allow individuals to pool resources, share risks, and make collective decisions for mutual benefit.

    Watch: https://youtu.be/QIUEccdGpkA
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    1 h
  • Conversation with Lakeisha Wolf - From Self to Solidarity: How Personal Empowerment Fuels Cooperative Economics

    Conversation with Lakeisha Wolf - From Self to Solidarity: How Personal Empowerment Fuels Cooperative Economics
    Jun 4 2025

    In 2025 we turn our attention towards “Community Engagement and the Grassroots of Change.” Throughout the year we explore the stories, strategies, and successes of community-driven movements making a difference. From Self to Solidarity: How Personal Empowerment Fuels Cooperative Economics
    A Conversation with LeKeisha Wolf, Executive Director of Ujamaa Collective In this episode we explore Personal Empowerment and Cooperative Economics through the lens of Ujamaa Collective, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. The Ujamaa social mission to act as a catalyst to advance Africana Women by providing a fair trade marketplace for cultural, artistic and entrepreneurial exchange through cooperative economics. In this conversation with LaKeisha Wolf, Executive Director of Ujamaa Collective, we take a deep dive into movement from self to solidarity and how personal empowerment fuels cooperative economics.
    Personal Empowerment begins with individuals recognizing their inherent worth, capabilities, and power to make choices that impact their life and community. It cultivates self-awareness, responsibility, and action. Cooperative Economics channels that personal power into collective agency by providing structures—like cooperatives, credit unions, and mutual aid networks—that allow individuals to pool resources, share risks, and make collective decisions for mutual benefit.

    Watxh: https://youtu.be/dWH9ddJG3Ms
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    58 m
  • Conversation with Denise Jones, Educational Consultant at Youth Enrichment Services (YES)

    Conversation with Denise Jones, Educational Consultant at Youth Enrichment Services (YES)
    May 21 2025
    In 2025 we turn our attention towards “Community Engagement and the Grassroots of Change.”
    Throughout the year we explore the stories, strategies, and successes of community-driven movements making a difference. Conversation with Denise Jones, Educational Consultant at Youth Enrichment Services (YES) In this episode we continue the exploration of the importance and significance of involving younger generations in community engagement and grassroots movement. Youth participation in community engagement projects is a powerful way to develop leadership, build intergenerational solidarity, and nurture civic responsibility. We take a deeper dive into Youth Enrichment Service (YES) in this conversation with Denies Jones, Educational Consultant and member of the YES family. As the YES Program Director, Denise and her colleagues developed YES’ motivational model which she continues to examine and build as part of her PhD studies at the University of Michigan. Alongside her current studies, Denise serves as the YES Deputy Director where she continues to support the organization’s programmatic, operational, and strategic efforts and shepherds its mission and legacy.

    Youth Erichment Service (YES): Empowering. Enriching. Serving.
    Empowering youth through mentorship, education, advocacy, and exposure. Enriching students’ educational, social, cultural, and workforce experiences. Serving local and surrounding Pittsburgh communities, students, and families.
    Watch: https://youtu.be/OG8G1unPZT4
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    55 m
  • Strategies for Youth Empowerment and Community Engagement

    Strategies for Youth Empowerment and Community Engagement
    May 7 2025
    In 2025 we turn our attention towards “Community Engagement and the Grassroots of Change.”
    Throughout the year we explore the stories, strategies, and successes of community-driven movements making a difference. Case Study: Toffler Associates & Youth Empowerment Services (YES) In this episode we explore the importance and significance of involving younger generations in community engagement and grassroots movement. Engaging youth in community engagement projects is a powerful way to develop leadership, build intergenerational solidarity, and nurture civic responsibility.
    We offer a case study of two organzations focused on youth—Toffler Associates and Youth Empowerment Services (YES)
    Toffler Associates is a future-focused strategic advisory firm dedicated to empowering organizations to thrive amid accelerating change. The furure is in the hands of our youth—are they prepared?
    Core Values: Lifelong learning. Engaging in diverse thought. Speaking truth to power. Commitment to connection.
    Youth Erichment Service (YES): Empowering. Enriching. Serving.
    The YES model has been vetted and has thrived for nearly three decades. Student successes and outcomes are a testament to the important work they do to change the lives of young people, families, and communities in Pittdsburgh PA.
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    58 m
  • Case Study: The Evolution of Dr. Robert Livingston

    Case Study: The Evolution of Dr. Robert Livingston
    Apr 16 2025
    In 2025 we turn our attention towards “Community Engagement and the Grassroots of Change.” Throughout the year we’ll explore the stories, strategies, and successes of community-driven movements making a difference. The Evolution of Dr. Robert Livigston, Harvard University Professor In this episode we focus our attention on the Evolution of Dr.Robert Livigston, Harvard University, John F. Kennedy School of Government & Center for Public Leadership. Dr. Robert Livingston is a social psychologist and leading expert on the science underlying bias and racism in organizations. He is a practitioner who is passionate about the application of social psychological theory and research in solving real-world organizational and societal challenges.
    For two decades, he has served as a diversity consultant to Fortune 500 companies, public-sector agencies, and non-profit organizations. We’ll discuss three distinct moments in his evolution.
    (1) Harvard Business Review article “How to Promote Racial Equity in the Workplace” (2020)
    (2) The Conversation: How Seeking and Speaking the Truth about Racism Can Radically Transform Individuals and Organizations (2021), which informs the work of many in the antiracism activation movement.
    (3) Play the Game. Change the Game. Leave the Game. Pathways to Black Empowerment, Prosperity, and Joy (September 2025 release) where Dr. Livingston flips the script, declaring it's time to face an inconvenient truth: our current approach to fighting racism is just not working.
    "For a brief moment following the murder of George Floyd, it seemed as though the country had finally acknowledged the destructive legacy of slavery and White supremacy and had committed to putting things right. Now, a horde of prominent voices—many of whom professed to be antiracist allies—are pulling back, cutting support, and defunding programs that sought to level the playing field.” —Dr. Robert Livingston
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    1 h
  • Case Study: Equity at the W.K. Kellogg Company & Foundation

    Case Study: Equity at the W.K. Kellogg Company & Foundation
    Apr 2 2025
    In 2025 we turn our attention towards “Community Engagement and the Grassroots of Change.” Throughout the year we’ll explore the stories, strategies, and successes of community-driven movements making a difference.
    Case Study W.K. Kellogg Foundation - Rooted in Diversity Equity and Inclusion Since Inception In this episode our case study attention is focused on the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, a business rooted in diversity equity and inclusion since its inception. The organization has worked to continually advance its understanding of the barriers to equity and their impact on children and to evolve its programming to “remain innovative and responsive to the ever-changing needs of society.” Established in 1930 by breakfast cereal pioneer W.K. Kellogg, the foundation has had an eye on equity from the beginning.
    “While equity has been at the heart of the Kellogg Foundation’s mission from the beginning, in 2007 the organization’s leaders took the monumental step of explicitly committing the foundation to confront racial inequity as an element of our strategy to ensure every child can thrive. Today, the foundation’s deeply rooted commitment to racial equity and healing grounds every aspect of our work.” — Dr. Khan Nedd, Board Chair
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    57 m
  • Case Study: Until We Are All Free Movement with Guest Kevin Reese, Co-Founder/Co-Executive Director of UWAAF

    Case Study: Until We Are All Free Movement with Guest Kevin Reese, Co-Founder/Co-Executive Director of UWAAF
    Mar 19 2025
    Case Study - Until We Are All Free is a Movement founded with the goal of supporting, empowering, creating alternative pathways to success, and advocating for systemic change in the criminal justice system. The core question of this episode: God, what is it that you’re working on in my life? What do you do when this is the answer you get—build a bridge of people and be a bridge through and with people?
    In this episode we continue our case study of the Until We Are All Free Movement, a human rights organization led by formerly incarcerated criminal justice experts. Their focus is on building capital, resources, and support to provide pathways to civic and economic liberation for individuals disenfranchised by mass incarceration.
    Welcome Kevin Reese: We are blessed to have a conversation with Kevin Reese, Co-Founder/Co-Executive Director of UWAAF and Co-Founder/CEO of Until We Are All Free Consulting Group. Kevin grew up in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He spent 14 years incarcerated inside of the criminal justice system. During that time, he founded the BRIDGE, a grassroots group of directly impacted criminal justice experts whose mission is to abolish mass incarceration and to find a path to true transformative criminal justice. Being a bridge and connector is important to Kevin. It’s his way of honoring people, specifically the people who have walked with him along his journey. Growing up, Kevin had a narrow view of community and self-value, but that broadened once he understood the power of relationships.
    "I created The BRIDGE while I was in prison,” said Kevin. “I named it that Rewriting Destiny because I was lying in my cell, on my bunk and I asked God, ‘What is it that you’re working on in my life?’ And sure enough, he told me, ‘I want you to build a bridge of people and be a bridge through and with people."

    Watch: https://youtu.be/XMWRBdDVk5s
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    55 m