Uptima understands that there is a wealth of opportunity for members in our community to learn about the function and mission of cooperatives. That is why we decided to launch #CooperativeConversations, a web-series and campaign dedicated to discussing, deconstructing, and demystifying cooperatives. Follow us as we talk with leaders, change agents and collectives about everything co-op. Follow #CooperativeConversations and let's start the dialogue. 

In part one of this six-part series, we spoke with Gregory Jackson of Repaired Nations. Repaired Nations' mission is to educate, organize and empower low income Black youth in the Bay Area to launch cooperative enterprises. 

More about Greg: 

Greg is a native of Oakland with deep family roots who feels fortunate to live within blocks of his family that now spans three generations. He is deeply committed to achieving economic equity in the East Bay through collective ownership and democratic decision-making. Recognizing the many social problems rooted in the unequal distribution of wealth and decision-making power, Greg focused his law school research on international cooperatives. During his internship with Sustainable Economies Law Center he created a pilot program for youth-led cooperative development. As a 2018 Equal Justice Works Legal Fellow, Greg aims to increase collective decision-making and cooperative-ownership in East Oakland. He holds a B.A. in Philosophy from San Diego State University, and a J.D. from Golden Gate University School of Law.

Greg envisions a cooperative corridor in East Oakland where the historically disadvantaged are given autonomy to self-determine the development of their neighborhoods. Greg knows that youth are the future, and believes the stewards of today must learn to co-create with the inheritants of tomorrow. Greg also serves on the Steering Committee of the Oakland Climate Action Coalition and mentors at Youth Impact Hub. Greg enjoys art, travel, and meaningful conversation in his free time.

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Follow more of Greg's work here: 
Repaired Nations Website: http://repairednations.org
Repaired Nations Instagram: @repaired.nations

This project is produced by Uptima Business Bootcamp
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Cooperative Conversations - Cooperatives and the Black Community with Gregory Jackson

Uptima understands that there is a wealth of opportunity for members in our community to learn about the function and mission of cooperatives. That is why we created #CooperativeConversations, a web-series and campaign dedicated to discussing, deconstructing, and demystifying cooperatives. Follow us as we talk with leaders, change agents and collectives about everything co-op. Follow #CooperativeConversations and let's start the dialogue.

In part two of this six-part series, we spoke with J. Jasper of Farm Bug Co-op, a leader, advocate and unmistakeable talent in the cannabis industry. We discussed the cooperative business model's unmistakable appeal to leaders who want to normalize and uplift more equitable and regenerative business practices. We also discussed the racial, social and political implications of creating a cooperative in the marijuana  industry. 

More about J.:

Midwest born and raised​ and schooled up to a Master's degree in Experiential Education. I started instructing Outward Bound courses and guided wilderness adventures for the better part of 20 years.  I know what makes teams effective and how to keep the good ones going.  This has been one of my biggest strengths in the growing world.
 
I returned from a vacation to the '09 Cannabis Cup in Amsterdam determined to learn all I could about growing cannabis.  After eight years using any medium and method I could learn from, I joined a team of outdoor organic growers in Washington in ‘17.  My prime directive is to grow the cleanest, healthiest buds I can, to help heal the sick and heal the nation.

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Follow more of J's work here: https://www.jameshjasper3.com 
Farm Bug Co-op Website: http://www.farmbug.coop
Farm Bug Co-op Instagram: @farmbugcoop

This project is produced by Uptima Business Bootcamp
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You can also find us online here:
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Instagram: @uptimabootcamp
Facebook: @uptimabootcamp
Twitter: @uptimabootcamp

Cooperatives and the Cannabis Industry with J. Jasper

Uptima understands that there is a wealth of opportunity for members in our community to learn about the function and mission of cooperatives. That is why we decided to launch 
#CooperativeConversations, a web-series and campaign dedicated to discussing, deconstructing, and demystifying cooperatives. Follow us as we talk with leaders, change agents and collectives about everything co-op. Follow #CooperativeConversations and let's start the dialogue.

In part three of this six-part series, we spoke with Erin Higginbotham of the DEEP Grocery Co-op. The DEEP is a worker-owned grocery cooperative in Deep East Oakland. Their mission is to ensure that their community has access to fresh and healthy produce, education, and cooperative economics. During this episode, we talk though the DEEP’s history and their vision for food justice in East Oakland. 

The DEEP’s origin story and their presence in the community is a moving example of how impactful people can be when they come together to right the wrongs inflicted by the former “powers at be.” Everyone has the right to healthy food. Ensuring that right starts with the people.

More about Erin: 

Erin Higginbotham was born and raised in Oakland CA. Professionally her background is in education and she is a free-spirited creator with a huge interest in crafts and DIY projects. Her hobbies are reading, writing (poetry, stories), making smoothies, and nature bathing. Health and wellness are a very important factor on Erin’s journey as she makes a transition to a plant-based diet.

Exploring new ways of sustainable living is her main goal. Erin will be supporting the Oakland community through knowledge of decolonized leadership, healing pathways, and being a model to the next generation.

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Follow more of The DEEP Grocery Co-op's work here: 
Instagram: @thedeepgrocerycoop
Facebook: eastoaklandgrocerycoop  
Twitter: coop_east

This project is produced by Uptima Business Bootcamp
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You can also find us online here:
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Instagram: @uptimabootcamp
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Twitter: @uptimabootcamp

Cooperative Conversations - The DEEP Grocery Co-op in Deep East Oakland

In part four of this six-part series, we spoke with Ricardo Nuñez, Director of Economic Democracy at Sustainable Economies Law Center. If you want to learn more about what it means and what it takes to see economic justice in your community, tune in to this episode!

More about Ricardo:

Ricardo Samir Nuñez is a worker cooperative ecosystem development specialist supporting cultural practices, policies, organizations, and systemic changes that allow communities to build beyond the interlocking systems of imperialist white supremacist capitalist patriarchy. He is currently the Director of Economic Democracy at the Sustainable Economies Law Center where he co-coordinates educational programs, legal services, policy advocacy, and regional and national ecosystem development to restore human labor to right relationship with people and the planet. He is board president of the US Federation of Worker Cooperatives and at-large board member at the California Center for Cooperative Development and the Southern California Focus on Cooperation. He is also becoming a lawyer without going to law school through California’s Law Office Study Program (likelincoln.org)

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Follow more of Ricardo's work here: 
theSELC.org 
Three times per month, SELC hosts The Resilient Communities Legal Cafe, a space where people can come and talk about their cooperative enterprises and get legal advice. 

This project is produced by Uptima Business Bootcamp
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You can also find us online here:
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Twitter: @uptimabootcamp

Cooperative Conversations - Economic Justice and Cooperatives with Ricardo Nuñez

On this episode, we are bringing together Uptima’s co-directors: Rani Langer-Croager and Sherina McKinley. They'll be discussing our recent name change, how we are centering the needs of entrepreneurs, and how our cooperative serves entrepreneurs in the SF Bay Area and Boston. Below you can find out more about Rani and Sherina: 
 
Rani Langer-Croager 
Co-Founder & CEO
 
Rani Langer-Croager founded Uptima Entrepreneur Cooperative to address the challenges of traditional entrepreneurship programs and business accelerators in providing accessible education and mentorship to a diverse group of entrepreneurs. Rani has drawn on more than 15 years of experience advising organizations on strategic and financial planning, capital raising and mergers and acquisitions to develop the model for Uptima. Prior to co-founding Uptima, Rani was a member of the founding team and vice president at Altius Education where she raised over $30 million of capital to fund development of the company’s educational ecosystem.

Rani serves as a Board member of the California Association for Microenterprise Opportunity (CAMEO) and on the advisory boards of numerous non-profits, small businesses and startups. Rani received her Bachelor’s degree with a double major in Mathematics and Economics from Duke University, was a recipient of the university’s prestigious William J. Griffith university service award and was selected as a semifinalist for Young Trustee on the university’s Board of Trustees.

Sherina McKinley
Director - Boston

Sherina McKinley has the unique ability to see an entrepreneur’s vision and, connect them with resources to help them make the best strategic decisions to position them for growth. She currently serves in a dual role as Director of The Runway Project and Director of Uptima Business Bootcamp in Boston. Previously, Sherina served as the Entrepreneurship Manager at CommonWealth Kitchen, Boston’s nonprofit food incubator which provides robust education, training, and support to food businesses in its shared commercial kitchen in Dorchester, MA. She served on the Board of Directors for Dorchester Bay EDC for over 10 years and chaired the economic development committee. She also reviews SBA small business loan applications and cooperative loan applications for LEAF.


This project is produced by Uptima Entrepreneur Cooperative 

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You can also find us online here:
Website: uptimacoop.com  
Instagram: @uptimacoop
Facebook: @uptimacoop
Twitter: @uptimacoop