Everything Co-op with Vernon Oakes Everything Co-op

June 6, 2024

Vernon is host an interview with Mary Alex Blanton, Senior VP at National Cooperative Bank (NCB). During the interview Mary Alex discusses the 2024 Co-op Innovation Award.

National Cooperative Bank in partnership with Capital Impact Partners, has sponsored the Co-op Innovation Award to empower organizations to increase economic opportunity for the communities they serve, and advance cooperative development in communities of color and or historically disinvested communities. Priority for the grant award will be given to food, worker, and housing co-ops, but all sectors are invited to apply.

Mary Alex Blanton is Senior Vice President, Director of Strategic Marketing for National Cooperative Bank. In this role, she manages NCB’s marketing, advertising, corporate communications, public relations, and brand for the bank.

National Cooperative Bank's mission is to support and be an advocate for America’s cooperatives and their members, especially in low-income communities, by providing innovative financial and related services.

Interested parties may visit Capital Impact Partners website at https://bit.ly/3iR4CYk to access the application. You may also visit the Co-op Innovation Award FAQ Page for more information.

May 30, 2024

Vernon interviews Simon Vansintjan, a programmer and organizer in Washington, DC. During the interview Simon discusses his most recent venture to develop a music platform co-op called Mirlo, and how this platform is supporting musicians.

Simon Vansintjan is a programmer and mutual aid, solidarity economy, and dual power organizer in Washington, DC. In his free time, he plays soccer, guitar and banjo, and doodles. He’s done weekly radio on public radio and music journalism in a past life. Simon has worked as a software developer for UN organizations, Fortune 500 companies, user experience agencies, fast growing start-ups, not-for-profit organizations, open-source software, and open data platforms.

Mirlo provides a user-friendly space to help musicians sell music, manage subscriptions, and share with their supporters.

May 23, 2024

Vernon interviews Jamila Medley, Collective Courage Moderator at the Partnership Action Fund. During the interview Jamila shares insights from their personal cooperative journey, and discusses the Collective Courage Fund.

Jamila Medley leverages experience working within the economic and racial justice movements to support organizations committed to transformational change. With a background in organizational development, she brings facilitation expertise and thought partnership to highly participatory processes related to governance, strategic planning, and leadership development. Inspired by trust-based philanthropic principles, Jamila stewards The Partnership Fund’s Collective Courage Fund, is board chair of the Independence Public Media Foundation, and a co-lead within Securing Roots. Her solidarity economy building efforts include being a collaborator in projects like Solidarity Resource, the Solidarity Economy Principles Project, Columinate’s Co-op Cafe and she serves on the board of directors of the Food Co-op Initiative. From 2012-2021, Jamila served in governance roles and then as executive director of the Philadelphia Area Cooperative Alliance (PACA).

The Partnership Fund exists to support powerful organizations rooted in, and accountable to, multi-racial and multi-class bases within states. These organizations work towards independent political power and are building critical movement ecosystems for change.

May 9, 2024
Vernon interviews Taryn Tymus and Andrea Tucker, who hold the positions of President and Vice President at the Champlain Court Cooperative (CCC) in Washington, DC. During the discussion, Taryn and Andrea delve into the cooperative’s role within their community and share insights from their own personal cooperative journey.

Taryn Tymus, a 48-year-old retired hairstylist and art-based community activist, serves as the President of Champlain Court Cooperative. Her journey in community activism began over 15 years ago in Ward 7. Taryn is enthusiastic about sharing the knowledge she has gained from her Adams Morgan neighbors in the District of Columbia, all while striving to improve her leadership skills within the cooperative

Andrea Tucker is a pivotal member of the Champlain Court Cooperative. Following a rewarding career in nonprofit management, Andi now serves as both a co-op owner and the Vice President of the CCC board. Her home, shared with her daughter Maulani, is a haven of warmth, creativity, and support. Andi's decision to retire early allowed her to homeschool Maulani, nurturing her interests in drama, voice acting, and visual arts. Committed to service, Andi looks forward to contributing to the expansion of CCC's portfolio, utilizing her skills and experience to enhance the community she cherishes.

4-22-2024
Ron Hantz, Executive Director of the Network for Developing Conscious Communities (NDCC), discusses the upcoming 4th Annual National Conference on Black Cooperative Agenda, "Economic Wealth: Power of Black Cooperative Enterprises,” which will be held June 13 -15, 2024, at 214 4th Street E, Saint Paul, Minnesota, 55101.

Ron has been instrumental in advocating for a new community development paradigm based on “conscious community development.” He is a former Adjunct Professor, in the Africana Studies Department, at the University Maryland Baltimore County, and founded the Network for Developing Conscious Communities in 2014. He now leads the organization’s efforts on advocacy and building a sustainable ecosystem for Black governed community development organizations. Under his leadership, NDCC has emerged as a grass roots voice on promoting the use of principle-based practices to regenerate under-resourced Black communities.

Ron's consulting practice includes assisting community development corporations, community associations and faith-based organizations with neighborhood planning, organizational development and applying for Internal Revenue Tax Exempt status. Ron believes that in order to develop sustainable communities, there must be a conscious effort to raise the consciousness and connectivity of local stakeholders. He sees his life purpose as elevating the Black consciousness in community development.

April 25, 2025
Vernon interviews Michelle Roth, Senior Director of Governmental Affairs for the League of Southeastern Credit Unions (LSCU). Vernon and Michelle discuss LSCU's Advocacy, and Alabama's most recent legislative session.

In the role as Senior Director of Governmental Affairs Michelle Roth directs the League’s lobbying and advocacy efforts, working with the Alabama Legislature, the Governor, and her Cabinet. Her background in advocacy, community, and member relations helps Michelle champion industry-driven state legislative and regulatory issues and develop and maintain favorable relationships with lawmakers, executive leaders, and credit unions across the state.

Before joining LSCU, Michelle was Executive Director of the Alabama Cable and Broadband Association. During her seven-year tenure at ACBA, she was responsible for legislative affairs, public and community relations, and statewide advocacy efforts supporting Alabama’s cable and broadband industry. She helped expand statewide internet access through this work and advocated for connecting low-income and rural Alabamians.

A native of Lakeland, Florida, Michelle graduated from the University of Alabama. She has served on the Board and Executive Committee of several public policies and charitable, statewide, and community organizations. Additionally, Michelle holds the designation of Certified Association Executive, the highest professional credential in the association industry.