African American cooperatives: from economic survival to economic justice

This chapter provides an overview of the history of African America cooperatives from early mutual aid societies and activities, to formal cooperatives such as agricultural and purchasing co-ops, consumer co-ops, especially food co-ops and credit unions, as well as craft co-ops and worker co-ops throughout US history. Gordon Nembhard focuses on Black American cooperative experiences as examples of how cooperative ownership contributes to anti-poverty and community building strategies, especially when market activities do not provide for the needs of a community or oppressed or marginalized families. Black women’s roles in co-ops and the cooperative movement, and Black youth-owned co-ops are highlighted. In addition, this article explores ways that Black co-op experiences provide examples of cooperative economics as a tool for community-controlled economic development to achieve some level of equitable development, not just economic survival.