Peer Circle for Black cooperative entrepreneurs.

This year, we are convening early-stage Black cooperative entrepreneurs in a Black-led, peer-learning group called Peer Circle.   It is a community of practice embedded in the philosophy of #BlackCoopsMatter that centers the histories of Black communities as purpose and inspiration for our work.  

In this Peer Circle, entrepreneurs will have access to on demand curriculum, peer coaching and live workshops.  If you are an early-stage, Black cooperative entrepreneur, join us for 8 weeks of shared learning together.

Who is this Peer Circle for?

YOU! Are you co-op curious? Have an idea to lift up your community? Working on a cooperative business idea? Started a business and want to connect with other likeminded entrepreneurs?

This Peer Circle cohort is folx who identify as Black. Priority is given to folx based in the U.S. and Canada.

Registration is now closed.

What You’ll Get

  • You are connected with a cohort of values-aligned entrepreneurs with whom you can lean on for support as you build your businesses together.

  • We provide access to our online curriculum for on-demand modules when you need them.

  • Workshops with Black cooperative leaders on governance, financing and growth.

  • We will embark on a collaborative journey as we kick off our cooperative cohort with a dynamic session, fostering connections, sharing aspirations, and building the foundation for a supportive and thriving community.

  • Join cooperative entrepreneurs in a roundtable discussion on how they started and grew the business side of their cooperatives.

  • Engage in a collaborative and enriching cooperative cohort peer coaching session, fostering mutual support, shared insights, and personalized strategies for collective growth and success.

  • A cooperative ownership roundtable session featuring Black-led co-ops where participants engage in collaborative discussions, sharing insights and strategies to empower and strengthen cooperative ownership models

  • Engage in a collaborative and enriching cooperative cohort peer coaching session, fostering mutual support, shared insights, and personalized strategies for collective growth and success.

  • An engaging discussion and collaborative exploration of innovative funding strategies with co-op funders.

  • Engage in a collaborative and enriching cooperative cohort peer coaching session, fostering mutual support, shared insights, and personalized strategies for collective growth and success.

  • A dynamic and collaborative session concluding the cooperative cohort, reflecting on achievements, and outlining the exciting next steps for continued growth and impact.

Session Preview

This program is centered on peer learning and connections and is further deepened with the program being led and delivered by Black faculty and facilitators.

In addition to access to on-demand curriculum online, there are 8 live sessions split between peer coaching and live workshops/roundtables. 

All live sessions run from 2.00-3.30pm Eastern and will conducted on Zoom.

Your Lead Facilitator

Shantae J. is Director of Community and Training at Start.coop. She is passionate about organizational culture, sustainability, equity, and leadership development. At Start.coop Shantae J. is responsible for and oversees the day-to-day management of the Start.coop Grad/Alumni Community, facilitates our education initiatives, including incubators and accelerator programs.

In addition to her role at Start.coop, Shantae J. is an adjunct professor at New York University.

Based in New York and Chicago, Shantae J. enjoys spending time with her family, reading, traveling, and discovering her next favorite coffee roaster.

FAQs

 

Who is this program for?

The #BlackCoopsMatter Peer Circle is exclusively for folx who identify as Black.

Does this program have a cost?

NO! This program is free for all participants.

How do I sign up?

Registrations are now closed.

Do I need to have participated on a prior Start.coop program to participate?

No! This program is open to anyone who is an early-stage Black cooperative entrepreneur. We prioritize folx based in the U.S. and Canada.

What are program expectations and time commitment?

  • We ask you to commit to attending at least 80% of sessions so that we can build community.

  • The time commitment is 90 minutes per week over 8 weeks.

When will I find out if I have been accepted?

We will accept applications on a rolling basis. We encourage applicants to register promptly to ensure you get a spot!

What is the inspiration for #BlackCoopsMatter?

Special thanks to Elizabeth Carter Esq., LLC a source of inspiration for Start.coop’s #BlackCoopsMatter initiative and this peer circle. Elizabeth’s firm set out on a mission to gather stories of founders and cooperators to build the knowledge and strengthen the ecosystem for “organizing and building a Black cooperative movement”. The Start.coop team and some of our Accelerator Founders have been fortunate enough to collaborate with Elizabeth on past projects, I encourage you all to check out the #BlackCoopsMatter YouTube series here.