We Got Us-- Collectively Building the Economy We Deserve

The past couple of months have been a powerful reminder of why we do this work, and why we must keep moving forward, together.

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I recently attended the PolicyLink Equity Summit in Washington, D.C., co-led the Wealth Reclamation Summit in Denver, and helped our Healthcare Anchor Network partners host their national convening in our city.  Each gathering reinforced that the economy we have today was built intentionally, and we must be just as intentional about building the economy we deserve.

Our economic systems were shaped by policies that concentrated wealth and power while systematically excluding entire communities. At CCW, we work to change that reality through worker ownership, supporting local businesses, shifting institutional purchasing power, and advancing community ownership of real estate.

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But we also recognize that programs alone cannot dismantle systems of inequity. Programs alone simply work as band-aid solutions without addressing the root cause of the problem. We cannot simply help people navigate an unjust economy. We must transform it.

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That is why this year's Wealth Reclamation Summit theme, We Got Us: Building Community Power and Wealth, resonated so deeply. Together with BIPOC leaders from across Colorado, we explored what it means to reclaim wealth, not simply through economic opportunity, but through ownership of land, buildings, and the resources that allow our communities to determine their own futures.

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These conversations went beyond simply surviving displacement or economic exclusion. They were about reclaiming power, creating lasting community assets, and building something that will benefit generations to come.

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Despite the headwinds, we must keep moving forward, in unison. This is the time to be audacious, imagine boldly, and build intentionally. Systems of oppression are powerful, but so is our collective determination to create something different.

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That is what gives me hope-- We Got Us!

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This spirit is at the heart of our Collective Economics Innovation Hub. The Collective is a space we are creating in Denver's historic Five Points neighborhood where entrepreneurs, worker-owners, and community partners can connect, collaborate, build, and thrive. It is our vision for what collective economics can look like in practice.

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On Thursday, October 29, from 5:00–6:30 PM, I invite you to join us for a special community celebration and sneak peek of the Hub at 639 29th Street in Denver. Come experience the space, imagine what we can build together, and learn how you can support our efforts to make this vision a reality. Whether through a contribution to our capital campaign, sponsoring a leaf on our permanent Giving Tree, or connecting us with others who share our vision, there is a place for you in this work. 

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Because at the end of the day, WE are all we have. And together, we have the power to build something extraordinary.

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RSVP here: The Collective Economics Innovation Hub: Community Celebration Fundraiser Tickets, Thursday, October 29  •  5 PM - 6:30 PM | Eventbrite

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