BLACK COOPNOMICS ACADEMY
A Program of the Network for Developing Conscious Communities (NDCC)
The Black CoopNomics Academy is NDCC’s flagship cooperative education initiative, designed to advance collective ownership, racial equity, and community-led economic development in Black and Brown communities. Grounded in principles of democratic ownership and solidarity economics, the Academy equips participants with the tools, knowledge, and leadership skills needed to build and sustain worker-owned, community-rooted cooperative enterprises.
Our Purpose
The Black CoopNomics Academy supports cooperative development as a pathway to economic stability, quality jobs, and shared wealth, particularly in historically under-resourced communities. Through education, training, and leadership development, NDCC works to strengthen local economies and empower communities of color to shape equitable economic futures.
Program Structure
The Black CoopNomics Academy is a 10-week intensive learning experience, offered in Baltimore and Washington, DC, for teams committed to building democratically owned enterprises and strengthening community-based economies.
What the Academy Offers
The Academy provides structured training and support for cooperative business development, governance, and leadership. Participants engage in modules focused on:
2026 Spring CoopNomics Academy courses:
- Cooperative Foundations & Racial Equity
- People, Culture & Democratic Management
- Business Development for Cooperative Enterprises
- Cooperative Governance & Legal Formation
- Cooperative Financial Literacy & Capital Strategy
- Marketing, Branding & Storytelling for Co-ops
- Women-Led Cooperative Leadership
- Urban Cooperative Development & Revitalization
- Faith, Civic, and Membership Organizations as Cooperative Anchors
- Innovation & Technology for Cooperatives
The Academy serves as a foundational step toward NDCC’s broader cooperative ecosystem, including long-term incubation and technical assistance.
Team-Based Learning Model
The Black CoopNomics Academy is intentionally team-based. We primarily accept teams of two or more people, reflecting the collective nature of cooperative enterprises. Individuals interested in joining existing or forming new cooperatives are encouraged to apply and may be matched with teams where appropriate.
Types of Teams We Serve
We typically work with four types of cooperative teams:
Startups
Founders of new worker cooperatives in early planning or startup phases.
Expanders
Members of existing worker cooperatives seeking to strengthen operations, leadership, or scale.
Converters
Business owners and/or employees transitioning an existing business into a democratically governed, worker-owned enterprise.
Developers
Nonprofits or business development organizations incubating worker cooperatives. Developer teams must include at least two worker-owners and one staff representative.
Why the Black CoopNomics Academy?
Major cities continue to lack accessible pathways for low-wage workers of color to build stable, dignified, and wealth-generating careers. Worker-owned cooperatives offer a proven model for:
- Increased job stability
- Equitable wages
- Local hiring and purchasing
- Community-based wealth creation
Cooperatives demonstrate strong business retention and long-term economic impact. NDCC envisions the Black CoopNomics Academy as a cornerstone for expanding cooperative education, with future goals of institutional partnerships, credentialing, and certificate programs.
BLACK COOPNOMICS ACADEMY
