The concept of movement economies and their role in creating systemic economic change is explored in a recent webinar hosted by NPQ (Nonprofit Quarterly). The webinar features four authors from NPQ’s summer economic justice magazine who discuss the development of a vision for a democratic economy and how movements can work together to make that vision a reality.
The panelists in this webinar are experts in their respective fields and bring unique perspectives to the conversation. Davarian Baldwin, a distinguished professor of American Studies, discusses how universities are impacting cities and contributing to economic inequality. A-dae Romero Briones, the vice president of research and policy at First Nations Development Institute, focuses on Native agriculture and food systems as a means to achieve economic justice. Johanna Bozuwa, the executive director of the Climate and Community Project, brings insights on the intersection of economic, racial, and climate justice. Maurice Mitchell, the national director of the Working Families Party, provides his expertise as a movement theorist and organizer within the Movement for Black Lives.
The webinar tackles several important questions. What exactly do we mean by movement economies? How have social movements responded to the growing problem of inequality, and how should they respond in the future? How can economic systems change be connected with the who and how of the movement? An intersectional approach to economic justice is also explored, with speakers drawing on historical experiences to provide lessons on what such an approach requires. Additionally, the webinar discusses whether movement energy can coalesce into a cohesive vision and what democratic economic structures social movements find worth fighting for.
This webinar is valuable for anyone involved in social movement activism, nonprofit leadership, board memberships, or community-based organizing. It provides real-life examples and lessons learned that can inform and inspire individuals in their own work within their communities.
The co-moderators for this webinar are Steve Dubb and Rithika Ramamurthy, both economic justice editors at NPQ. Dubb brings over two decades of experience working with cooperatives and nonprofits and expertise in community economic development. Ramamurthy, as the first elected president of the graduate student union at Brown and a founding member of Reclaim RI, brings her perspective as a union leader and activist.
Overall, this webinar provides a thought-provoking exploration of movement economies and their potential to bring about systemic economic change. It offers practical insights and serves as a valuable resource for those interested in creating a more just and democratic economy.