"Democracy at Work in Baltimore" brings together local voices and national thinkers to unpack how worker cooperatives shift the focus from extraction to investment—prioritizing people over profit, and collective well-being over individual gain.
Join us for an inspiring and thought-provoking panel exploring the power and promise of worker cooperatives as a model for ethical, democratic, and sustainable economic development in Baltimore and beyond.
Our engaging panelists will highlight how democratic practices come alive within co-ops. We’ll delve into the:
- Inclusive ethics that define worker co-ops: workplaces where mission-aligned, meaningful labor serves both employees and the broader community
- Learn how these enterprises foster economic equity, circulate wealth locally, and offer a values-driven alternative to monopoly-driven capitalism
- Discover horizontal structures that encourage shared decision-making, to systems that empower workers with voice, agency, and long-term stability
Experts:
- Moderator: Victoria Lebrón (Bmore Transform)
- Panelist: Taji Amani(Baltimore Roundtable for Economic Democracy)
- Panelist: Kookie Lynn (Ceremony Piercing & Fine Jewelry)
- Panelist: Bernardo (Baltimore Bikeworks)
Who should attend: Whether you’re a worker, entrepreneur, policymaker, or just co-op curious, this conversation is a chance to reimagine what work—and democracy—can look like when rooted in community, cooperation, and care.
Let’s explore how worker cooperatives can be both a return to timeless principles and a bold step forward.
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This event is a local gathering associated with the American Sustainable Business Network (ASBN). ASBN`s mission is to inform, connect, mobilize, and amplify the collective voice of sustainable business leaders to transform the public and private sectors toward a just and regenerative economy. As a multi-issue, membership organization advocating on behalf of every business sector, size, and geography, ASBN provides the national platform, tools, and support for businesses to advocate, collaborate, and drive systemic change.
