People's Economy 101 Part 1: Learn and Inspire
In this first of two workshops, series trainers from the People's Economy Lab explore the history of our current economic system, what is contributing to an extractive economy, and how to use the Just Transition framework and community-based strategies to build an economy and economic practices that are transformative, equitable, and regenerative.
Session trainers shared how we transition to and practice systems of production, consumption, and distribution that are cooperative, democratic, and resilient to our current economic forces of exploitation rooted in white supremacy and colonialism.
Just Transition is a vision-led, unifying and place-based set of principles, processes, and practices that build economic and political power to shift from an extractive economy to a regenerative economy. Trainers covered the basics of solidarity economics and key topics including money and finance, work and labor, and resources and consumption. Trainers also grounded participants in a basic understanding of the economy and how we are all actors with the ability to reshape it. Trainers also shared examples of ways both national and local Greater Seattle BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) community economic leaders are innovating and building new economic models and structures that center the needs and experiences of people and place in the community.
About the Trainers:
Deric Gruen manages the People’s Economy Lab and is the Co-Executive Director at Front and Centered, a coalition of communities of color, where he has led the development of the Regenerative Economy Strategy. Deric shares the leadership of Front and Centered, with a focus on programs and policy. Deric has created and led diverse initiatives for climate/environmental justice and community economic development, from idea through fruition, for community-based organizations, in education, and government. Deric began his career working on regional economic development for the Trade Development Alliance and Puget Sound Regional Council and has fifteen years of experience in project development and management. Deric is a resident of the Brighton neighborhood just north of Othello and was born, raised, and educated in Seattle. He is well known in economic development and policy, racial equity, environment, and social justice communities and is a trusted advocate for community-based organizations.
Shiho Fuyuki is an independent consultant who connects values aligned stakeholders in the region to mobilize resources to advance access to economic opportunities for underserved communities. Over the last decade, she has worked with many foundations and impact investors across the country to deploy capital in more meaningful ways through fostering shared learning experiences, curating resources and facilitating relationship building. Shiho joined the People’s Economy Lab (PEL) in 2019 to pursue a shared vision for a new economy in Washington State and support a ‘Move the Money’ strategy, divesting from the extractive and investing in self-determination for communities, toward a community-centered economy. She supports the New Economy Washington (NEW) Frontline Community Fellows, NEW Funders Collaborative, PEL’s Community Capital Working Group and PEL’s Just Transition ecosystem mapping project.
Njuguna Gishuru is a Seattle based community development consultant who specializes in developing restorative economic strategies for oppressed communities, building capacity and enhancing access to capital for entrepreneurs of color and cultivating new economies that advance empowerment and social justice for all. Njuguna has spent the majority of his career in banking, serving as a Financial Institutions Examiner for the FDIC and Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Njuguna has been pivotal in shaping and implementing the African Chamber of Commerce’s small business development programs which aim to advance the success and sustainability of African immigrant owned small businesses locally. His experience over 8 years of involvement with the organization includes developing and administering tailored technical assistance programs and workshops and providing direct consulting to local entrepreneurs. The majority of the small businesses served through this work have been in South Seattle and South King County.