Racism is killing our communities. Fossil fuels are killing our planet. Austerity sucks. The old order is falling apart at the seams. So how will we own our power? More than 600 people came together in St. Louis with that question in mind at Harris-Stowe State University late last month.
We're already nostalgic about CommonBound and are excited to see how the seeds planted there will take root in the future. Check out this content stream we put together and click here for the photo album by St. Louis photographer, Kurt Hutchinson. Read what participants have told us about their experience:
"CommonBound 2018 was one of the most powerful conferences I've ever experienced. It felt like a big family reunion. You may not know, like, or agree with everyone. And absolutely everyone has a place. It was magical and multi-layered, a beautiful moment of coming together across difference to build a shared vision of liberation, joy and justice." - Hnin Hnin, Cooperative Food Emporwerment Directive (CoFed)
"Commonbound is like no other conference you have ever been to. People have real conversations, are vulnerable with each other, and face the world head on. This is a place to open your mind to what our future could really be like, and to all the things we do have that we are missing out on now due to cultural norms and values. Thinking about how art, feminism, and culture can be a backbone to lift us up instead of an afterthought in our communities was a really big takeaway for myself, and I plan to carry that with me forever." - Rachel Norton, MACED
"Making Relatives all weekend long ~ SolUtion ReVolUtion! This is what community looks and feels like." - Basmin Nadra, Solidarity Economy St. Louis
"Being at CommonBound, which was so rich with success stories from around the world, and being there with many of our local allies was powerful. We came back to New York inspired and brimming with new ideas for what could be possible in our local organizing together." - Mike Sandmel, New Economy Project, NYC
"It was reinvigorating to learn about all the exciting solidarity economy work all of you are doing around the US, Canada and Puerto Rico. I left with a sense of hope that slowly, but steadily, we are building the institutions and culture that will allow us to realize our wildest dreams." - Francisco Perez, Center for Popular Economics
"For me, attending Commonbound proved to be not just a place to connect with fellow new economy builders, but a place to actively build the workd in which a new economy is possible. I left with a clearer understanding of what it feels like to be in an equitable society and long for the same feeling in my home community." - Julian McKinley, Capital Institute
"CommonBound is common ground for those who want to live, love, learn and apply what it takes to change the world." - Tawana "Honeycomb" Petty, Petty Propolis
We hope you left with some new ideas and connections you can use to grow the new economy in your communities!
