COO Learning Series: Economics for Emancipation in King County
Imagine an economy that serves people, instead of people serving the economy. Where community and worker-owned businesses meet local needs. Where the government is driven by participation instead of partisan politics. Where investing means closing the racial wealth gap instead of making the rich richer. To get to the economy we need, we need to get under the skin of the economy we think we know. Join us for a deep dive into understanding the “economy” that you won’t find in economics class or by watching stock tickers. This is an opportunity for changemakers to join a learning community on collective root cause solutions.
What: An engaging series of interactive, mostly virtual learning sessions where we delve into transformative economic systems and visionary alternatives to capitalism. Led by People’s Economy Lab, and using the Economics for Emancipation curriculum as our foundation, we'll explore innovative economic models that can help us reimagine and reshape our local economy together.
Topics include:
What is the economy?
Use value, exchange value, surplus value
Neoliberal capitalism, colonialism & the circuit of slavery
Alternative economic systems
Just Transition & solidarity economy
Community Wealth Building
Participatory governance and well-being economies
Reflection & action planning
When: August through November 2024, 90-minute sessions about once every two weeks
Where: Learning sessions online through Zoom, with one or two in-person opportunities for relationship building.
Who: A cohort of 15-20 participants, prioritizing Black, Indigenous, and people of color. We’re looking for King County community members, staff and board from BIPOC-led community-based organizations and philanthropic organizations, artists, organizers, government employees and elected and appointed leaders. We’re looking for people who are curious about alternative economic systems, including people who may know a lot about one area, like financial systems or entrepreneurship, but want to understand economic systems and movements more broadly. Most importantly, we want participants who will apply and share this knowledge within their workplaces and communities. You must be affiliated with a group to participate, whether that’s a nonprofit, government agency, foundation, community group, collective, business, or something else.
How much: Free! No cost to participate. If you’re not being paid to participate by your employer, or your employer needs support to help you participate, we’ll pay you! $75 per session, as long as you attend at least five of the sessions.
Apply to join the Economics for Emancipation King County Learning Cohort by June 30, 2024.
Want to learn more before you apply? Watch the Economics for Emancipation info session recording from June 12th here or below: https://youtu.be/3J0nneZC9hs?si=CePZu3xegdCI89eL