"United We Thrive: Lessons from Ethnic Communities in Forging Wichita's Path to Prosperity."

African American communities have a long history of using cooperative economics as a means of survival and progress. Since the time of slavery, mutual aid societies were formed for various purposes, including pooling money for burials, land purchases, and even buying freedom. Post-Civil War, these efforts expanded into mutual insurance companies, cooperative farming, and the establishment of businesses like credit unions and grocery stores. Notable examples include the Freedom Quilting Bee, a cooperative founded in 1967 by women from sharecropping families, and the National Negro Business League, founded in 1900 by Booker T. Washington, which promoted African American businesses and entrepreneurship.

Similarly, the Asian American community has shown remarkable resilience through self-cooperation. Many Asian Americans started with small businesses in underserved neighborhoods, leveraging familial ties and community support. Over time, they expanded into more sophisticated industries, including technology, where they now hold significant representation. Education has been a significant focus in these communities, contributing to their upward mobility and success in various professional fields.

These historical examples demonstrate the power of community collaboration and resource pooling to overcome systemic barriers and achieve significant economic and social progress. For the Black community in Wichita, embracing these principles can be instrumental in creating change. By putting aside differences and focusing on cooperative efforts, whether through establishing community businesses, educational initiatives, or other collective ventures, significant strides can be made in economic empowerment and social advancement.

The lessons from these communities emphasize the importance of unity, mutual support, and the collective use of resources for community upliftment. This approach can be particularly effective in addressing the unique challenges and opportunities in Wichita's Black community.

Sources for more detailed insights:

• The Food Co-op: A short history of Black Cooperatives in America

• Grassroots Economic Organizing: A Brief History of Black Cooperatives in the U.S.

• Harvard Gazette: How African American culture bred business success