Risk & What We Can’t Lose with Brendan Martin
Join host Jessica Norwood in this special episode as she gives you a sneak peek into her new book, "Believe in You Money: What Would It Look Like if the Economy Loved Black People?" Rather than relying solely on benevolence or philanthropy, the conversation delves into a concept of reparations that challenges the notion of one-time payments. Instead it emphasizes business ownership and productive capital that underscores the need for economic independence alongside systemic change. This thought-provoking conversation challenges the status quo by inviting listeners to reimagine risk, reshape power structures, and invest in black joy as a means to create an economy that actually supports historically marginalized communities for the long term. Discover how cooperative economics and the Seed Commons network are reshaping the way we think about communities, ownership, and investment. This episode is a must-listen for entrepreneurs, wealth movers, and anyone ready to challenge our unjust status quo and embrace systems change. Don't forget to grab a copy of Jessica's new book for yourself and a friend. It's time to rewrite the rules and create an economy that truly loves black people. Join the conversation and be part of building a more inclusive future. Highlights: • Believe In You Money: Jessica introduces her new book, "Believe In You Money: What Would It Look Like If the Economy Loved Black People?" She discusses her desire to see a new type of capital being given and invested in black entrepreneurs and innovators. The book explores the concept of "believe in you money" as a form of capital that recognizes the value, success, and ideas of black individuals in the economy. It aims to be long-term, patient, and anti-racist, acknowledging the historical challenges faced by black people and advocating for reparative actions. • Seed Commons and Cooperative Economics: Jessica and Brendan discuss the role of cooperative economics in reimagining risk and capitalization. Seed Commons is a national network of non-extractive loan funds that bring big finance under community control. The network focuses on supporting local cooperative businesses, particularly in marginalized communities that have faced systemic discrimination and economic challenges. They aim to distribute power, build wealth, and challenge inequality through solidarity economics. • Racial Bias in Risk Assessment: Jessica and Brendan describe the inherent racial bias present in risk assessment, particularly in financial systems. They highlight how factors like credit scores, which are based on historical financial information, can perpetuate discriminatory practices. The discussion challenges the assumptions that black entrepreneurs are riskier to work with and emphasizes the need for empowering black communities to experiment, grow, and pivot without the fear of failure or shame. They argue that risk assessment should be reevaluated to align with a more inclusive and equitable understanding of what is sacred, considering the people, land, culture, and spirituality of Afro-indigenous communities. • Investing in Black Joy: The conversation highlights the experiences of workers who became owners in a cooperative factory. It captures their sense of liberation and the realization of their own capabilities. By becoming owners, they overcame the psychological barriers that society had imposed on them, realizing their own power and potential. You can check out the Show Notes for this episode (eg: Guest Bio, Links to Relevant Resources, and Transcript) at www.theroadtorepair.com/s2-ep5
