Convening, Recruiting, and Connecting People Who Repair Local Economies
Hustle Economics Leroy Barber I have long been an advocate of any entrepreneur who can read their culture, figure out what is missing or needed, and then create a business or service to meet that need. I am even more impressed with entrepreneurs who have very few to no resources and yet make things happen. […]
There has been little change in the wealth gap between white families and black and brown families over the past 40 years. The stories of successful projects and great conversations are plentiful, but they have not significantly changed the overall lack of wealth for black and brown people. There seems to be something missing–a variable […]
Leroy Barber Executive Director On the day in which we celebrate the work of Dr. King, I began to realize how dangerous it is to dig into what got him assassinated. It wasn’t the wonderful “I have a dream” speech in Washington. It was the push on living wages, the audacity to work for an […]
Leroy Barber, Executive Director I think my life may have been built around cooperative economic activity on just about every level. This way of life led to flourishing based on everyone having a voice and ownership. I don’t believe my mom would have been able to raise us alone without our community and a place […]
I happened to be in a conversation this past week, and someone said this sentence: “He grew up on the wrong side of the tracks.” It has stuck with me. It has made me wonder what the wrong side of the tracks refers to and what are the conditions on this “wrong side?” Is it […]
I have had the incredible opportunity of many people investing in me and the work I do for close to 35 years now, and it has allowed me to dream, imagine, create, and start many projects and businesses over the years. It has also built confidence in me to keep risking and creating, even though […]
I will be the first to admit that my belief in a better world and systems that work for all people may be a little more hopeful than what is visible in our current condition. If I go down the rabbit hole of what is happening systematically, then my cynical self is called to the […]
These past two weeks, I have had the opportunity to travel the roads of Texas to listen, learn, and visit organizations and possible partners in our work of convening and supporting the process of getting resources to places they haven’t gone historically. I have driven about 2,000 miles and still haven’t seen a giant portion […]
The fall has brought on a busy travel season, and that’s because our work in Neighborhood Economics depends on connections with local communities and good relationships with partners. Resources can’t hit the ground in local neighborhoods unless we build together. The excitement of this work is being able to see and learn as we move […]
I recently visited San Antonio and had the honor of meeting community leaders and pastors doing some wonderful work in the city. I am thrilled to get to know so many people as we prepare for our convening there in February. One of the groups I had the chance to connect with was a few […]
