What will an anti-imperialist, economy look like? What will it take to decolonize economic structures in pursuit of liberation? After introducing frameworks for building a movement for sustainable business, community and worker ownership, workplace democracy, and thriving family businesses, we go local. We hear lessons from Boston, where grassroots organizations, small businesses and investors are working together to model an alternative to the capitalist economy at a local level. Participants learn from leaders of the Boston Ujima Project about their efforts to fight poverty and displacement through the formation of a community capital fund, a Good Business Certification, and an alternative local currency. Participants learn about Boston's unique new economy project and engage in the opportunities and limits of this community development strategy.

For too long public policy has rigged the market to favor big corporations, undermining small, locally owned businesses, especially those launched by women and people of color. Now local businesses and activists across the country are working to change the rules to instead support community enterprises. In this CommonBound 2016 workshop leaders of these efforts look at how cities and states can expand financing for local businesses, keep commercial space affordable, end corporate subsidies, better support entrepreneurs of color, and more. 

What will an anti-imperialist, economy look like? What will it take to decolonize economic structures in pursuit of liberation? After introducing frameworks for building a movement for sustainable business, community and worker ownership, workplace democracy, and thriving family businesses, we go local. We hear lessons from Boston, where grassroots organizations, small businesses and investors are working together to model an alternative to the capitalist economy at a local level. Participants learn from leaders of the Boston Ujima Project about their efforts to fight poverty and displacement through the formation of a community capital fund, a Good Business Certification, and an alternative local currency. Participants learn about Boston's unique new economy project and engage in the opportunities and limits of this community development strategy.

For too long public policy has rigged the market to favor big corporations, undermining small, locally owned businesses, especially those launched by women and people of color. Now local businesses and activists across the country are working to change the rules to instead support community enterprises. In this CommonBound 2016 workshop leaders of these efforts look at how cities and states can expand financing for local businesses, keep commercial space affordable, end corporate subsidies, better support entrepreneurs of color, and more. 

For too long public policy has rigged the market to favor big corporations, undermining small, locally owned businesses, especially those launched by women and people of color. Now local businesses and activists across the country are working to change the rules to instead support community enterprises. In this CommonBound 2016 workshop leaders of these efforts look at how cities and states can expand financing for local businesses, keep commercial space affordable, end corporate subsidies, better support entrepreneurs of color, and more.