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About the 2017 Conference
This year marks our fourth annual COCAP conference and it will be the biggest and most exciting year yet!
We Economy Fair
Additionally, we will have our first We Economy Fair at CoCap! The We Economy Fair is a one-stop shop for investors (which includes anyone with a bank account) and entrepreneurs to discover organizations that are supporting the transition from an extractive economy to a local regenerative economy.
Entrepreneurs will find sources of values-aligned funding and investors (that means you!) will find great ways to move their money to a bank, credit union, or investment they can feel proud of.
Come prepared to open a new account right on the spot!
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Deborah Frieze is founding partner and board chair of the Boston Impact Initiative, an impact investing fund focused on economic justice, which means investing in opportunity for all people—especially those most oppressed or abandoned by our current economic system—to lead a dignified and productive life. The fund takes an integrated capi...Boston Impact Initiative -
Nwamaka is excited to bring over 10 years of experience in working on social and economic justice issues and campaigns that help support the sustainable and equitable development of thriving and prosperous communities as the New Economy Innovation Fellow for Movement Strategy Center.Restore Oakland -
I believe it is eminently possible for our economic system to provide for all aspects of the individual and society. Not only through financial stability, but also by engendering purpose in people's lives, promoting healthy lifestyles, and enabling individuals to pursue lives that are fully expressed.Whole Person Economist -
Konda Mason is the Co-Founder and CEO of Impact Hub Oakland, a beautiful co-working space that supports socially engaged entrepreneurs and change makers who are transforming the world. She is proud to be the Program Director of The Runway Project Oakland, a fund designed to fill the “Friends & Family” gap for African American entrepreneur...Impact Hub Oakland -
Rani Langer-Croager is co-founder of Uptima Business Bootcamp, a network of member-owned business accelerators with locations in Oakland and San Francisco. Uptima is dedicated to providing diverse entrepreneurs with greater access to hands-on education, mentorship, resources and community to create thriving businesses.Uptima Business Bootcamp -
Monday Oct 9
8:30 AM - 9:00AM
Breakfast + Mingle
9:00 AM - 9:30 AM
Welcome to COCAP
The Four Noble Truths of the Economy
Jenny Kassan & Konda Mason
9:30 AM - 10:00 AM
Wealth in the Age of We
Keynote: Charles Eisenstein
What is wealth—not just spiritual wealth but material wealth—as we move past the world-story of domination, competition, and control? How can we practice it now?
10 AM - 10:15 AM
Audience discussion
10:15 AM - 10:40 AM
Restorative Economics for a Just Transition
Keynote: Nwmaka Agbo
The emerging New Economy movement has primarily been a conversation of dominant culture people talking to each other about the changes that are needed to move from an economy based on extraction and separation to one based on connection and is regenerative. However, unconsciously, separation by race and class is still underpinning these discussions. Nwamaka Agbo will share why her emerging framework of Restorative Economics is critical to ensuring that impacted communities are not left behind with the growing New Economy movement.
10:45 AM - 11:05 AM
Money & Love
A conversation w/Charles Eisenstein & Orland Bishop
Moderator: Konda Mason
Money is both a powerful agent of destruction as well as the main way we coordinate human creativity in our world today. It is a medium of generosity and of trauma, innovation and oppression. What does it take to heal the wound of money on a personal and systemic level? What does it take to align money with love?
11:10 AM - 12:00 PM
A Cosmology of Equity: Understanding Race, Sacred Economics and System Change
A conversation w/Angela Glover Blackwell & Gregory Mengel
Moderator: Rev. Dr. Diane Johnson, PhD
Creating the new economy requires us to realign what we pay attention to, how we engage, tests are assumptions of where power sits and challenges us to why we do this work. This highly engaging session will offer us the opportunity to be in dialogue with two leaders at the forefront of reconceptualizing our economy --- Angela Glover Blackwell and Gregory Mengel. Rev. Dr. Diane J. Johnson, Ph.D. will moderate this exploration of how (re)committing to the totality of our human condition, dismantling structural racism and holistic systems change are intricately linked and integral to the building of the WE economy. Our time together will include not only conversation with the presenters but time for interactive audience participation --- so be ready to be in dialogue with one another.
12:00 PM - 12:15 PM
Audience discussion
12:15 PM - 12:30 PM
Performance: Sparlha Swaby
12:30 PM - 2:00 PM
LUNCH / We Economy Fair
2:00 PM - 2:30 PM
Reinventing the Commons
Keynote: David Bollier
Activist/scholar David Bollier, Director of the Reinventing the Commons Program at the Schumacher Center for a New Economics, will explain how a burgeoning “Commons Sector” is increasingly meeting needs without either the market or the state, elevating relationships over transactions and mutalized benefit over private economic growth. As “commoning” reinvents our very notion of “the economy,” it is unleashing social energies and imagination that are currently ignored. Learn how alternative modes of banking, finance and money can help accelerate this important transformation.
2:35 PM - 3:30 PM
Ownership: The Next Frontier
Panel: Rani Langer-Croager, Derek Razo, Lina Buffington
Moderator: Jenny Kassan
The root of many of society's interconnected challenges lies within the nature of how we own, finance, and govern our companies. Governance today is often designed to maximize value for shareholders and exclude the interests of other stakeholders. Ultimately the CEOs and founders, even of mission-driven organizations, become beholden to narrow short-term profit and maximizing growth. Companies that care about community capital and shared ownership need tools and resources such as patient financing, clear legal structures, and aligned incentives to enable a company's purpose to thrive in perpetuity. This session brings together experts and practitioners in collective ownership who are pushing the boundaries for what is possible.
3:35 PM - 4:30 PM
It's Up To Us: Investing In Local Solutions
Nia Evans, Jessica Norwood, Jenny Kassan
Moderator: Ashara Ekundayo
There will be no Prince on a white horse to save us. It is up to us to take agency and create local solutions that benefit our communities and ourselves. Find out about three local initiatives that are bypassing business as usual and creating innovative initiatives to create economic equity...The Boston Ujima Project, The Runway Project and Force For Good.
4:35 PM - 5:45 PM
BREAKOUT SESSION 1 (Atrium Room)
Boston Ujima Project
Aaron Tanaka, Deborah Frieze, Nia Evans, Lucas Turner-Owens
The Ujiima Project, located in the greater Boston area, is challenging poverty and developing communities by organizing savings, businesses and customers to grow local wealth and meet their own needs. The project is demonstrating ways to invest, work, buy, own and advocate within the local community. An embodiment of the new "People's Economy", the Ujiima Project is a model of a new community controlled economy. Learn how they are meeting the needs of the community while grounding in the values of solidarity, hope and abundance.
BREAKOUT SESSION 2 (Meridian)
The Runway Project
Jessica Norwood, Rani Langer-Croager, Annie McShiras
With the growing wealth disparity in the US between white families and black families (currently $142k vs $11k) it is becoming increasing difficult for African American entrepreneurs to get their businesses off the ground because that first start-up capital, typically coming from "friends and family", is just not a reality. The Runway Project is rectifying that gap. Come learn how the structural racial inequities can and must be transformed for African American entreprenuers if we are to create a world where everyone has the opportunity to reach their full potential.
BREAKOUT SESSION 3 (Omi Gallery)
Force For Good
Jenny Kassan, Lynn Johnson
The Force for Good Fund invests in women- and people of color-owned, “Best for the World” B Corporations (i.e., companies that score in the top 10% of B Corps worldwide). Their ambition is to (1) become the first crowdfunded investment fund for "Best for the World" B Corporations, (2) increase the number of women- and people of color-owned B Corps, (3), increase the number of B Corps that address climate change through their business model, (4) help more companies measure, compare, and improve their social and environmental performance, and (5) prove that this model works so it can be scaled and/or replicated anywhere in the world. Discover how B Corporations are shifting the funding paradigm to a locally self-reliant economy that works for the benefit of all life.
6:00PM - 6:30 PM
Audience discussion & Close
6:30 PM - 9:00 PM
AFTER PARTY @ DRAKES DEALERSHIP
Tuesday Oct 10
8:30 AM - 9:00AM
Breakfast + Mingle
9:00 AM - 9:10 AM
Welcome
Jenny Kassan & Konda Mason
9:10 AM - 9:25AM
The Whole Person Economy
A conversation w/Evan Steiner & Konda Mason
Economic systems and markets are simultaneously beneficial and harmful forces in the world. However, it’s eminently possible for economic systems to provide for all aspects of the individual and society. Not only through financial stability, but also by engendering purpose in people's lives, promoting healthy lifestyles, and enabling the full expression of the individual. To achieve this goal, our personal values must guide our economic activities. A Whole Person Economy provides a deeply human perspective on the changing landscape of business and economics, exploring how these topics are informed by personal values, spiritual practice, and connection to a higher purpose.
9:25 AM - 9:45 AM
Wanting to Care for Each Other: Our True Nature
Keynote: Lama Tsomo
We all keep saying that we’re all in this together. How does that really work? How can we get past intellectually understanding that and get better at living in that reality? Then we’ll naturally dream up the next economy that will allow us all to thrive. The Tibetan tradition has 4 practices that are 4 avenues by which we can feel the truth of our connection to all. One of them, Tonglen, is a simple compassion practice that has been popular for millennia for good reason. Lama Tsomo will teach us this ancient Tibetan practice that helps us to strengthen that “compassion muscle”. Doing a few minutes of this daily will affect not only our work in the world, but our relationships and personal happiness … because it’s in line with the way things truly are.
9:50 AM - 10:50 AM
Building The "We" Economy From The Inside Out
Panel: Lama Tsomo, Angel Kyodo Williams, Rev Deborah Johnson, Amma Thanasanti
Moderator: Konda Mason
The Western mindset typically moves toward "fixing" problems by focusing on the what...what we need to do. This is necessary and important. However, equally important, if not more so, is the who...who we need to be in the midst of it all. Our misguided worldviews are at the core of our challenges. The biggest one is our sense of separation. The "We" economy relies on us acting from our deepest sense of interconnection. Come enjoy an eye-opening discussion about the intersection of spirituality and the economy from five brilliant women spiritual leaders. Not to be missed!
10:50 AM - 11:00 AM
Audience discussion
11:00 AM - 11:20 AM
Keynote: Michelle Long & Don Schaffer
It's Time For A Jubilee
Let's meet this moment and reinvest the gifts of this earth to defend the sacred.
11:25 AM - 11:45
Prosperity Through Banking
Keynote: Vince Siciliano
We are in a time of uncertainty. We are facing a political climate that is changing and unpredictable. We cannot count on government to fight climate change, build the new economy or support social justice. Where does that leave new economy business leaders, impact investors, and change makers like you and me? As leaders in the financial industry, it is crucial that we articulate, invest in and redefine our vision for the new economy, an economy in service to all people and the planet. Banks in particular have a central and critical role to play, since what banks finance creates the economy and the world we see. Banks control the flow of capital and the way banks approach, value, and share financial resources has a profound effect on our communities, today and tomorrow. This talk will explore the role of the banking industry in building a more ethical, regenerative and inclusive economy.
11:50 AM - 12:35 PM
Banking On A Regenerative Future
Panel: Annie McShiras, Vince Siciliano, Wilson Riles
Moderator: Jenny Kassan
Big banks are not the only place to put your money or apply for a loan. The unscrupulous activities of many banks (how do you spell Wells Fargo?), investments in the extractive economy (i.e.Dakota pipeline) and obscene fees charged to customers are just a few of the reasons to think differently about where you put your money. Local banking circulates your money within your community, cares for the planet and provides access to capital for historically marginalized groups. On this panel, learn more about local banking and then visit our We Economy Fair. It's time to put your money where your community is!
12:35 PM - 12:45 PM
Audience discussion
12:45 PM - 12:50 PM
Performance: Sparlha Swaby
12:50 PM - 2:15 PM
LUNCH / We Ecomomy Fair
2:15 PM - 3:00 PM
Transforming Philanthropy Through Rage & Beauty
Rodney Foxworth, Deborah Cullinan, Mark Beam
Moderator: Sean Daniel Murphy
Philanthropy has often failed to meet the urgent needs of the most marginalized underfunded groups in our society. The notion of an equal value reciprocity between fundee and funder, is eclipsed by a one-way street of distortion our society has put on what is valued...and what isn't. This discussion will leave you thinking outside the box on what philanthropy currently is... and what it could be.
3:05 PM - 3:50 PM
Investing As If Our World Depended On it
Marco Vangelisti, Jenny Kassan, Morgan Simon
Moderator: Nina Robinson
The Holy Trinity of risk, return and liquidity may not be the only way to assess your investments. Following these guidelines alone, your money may be a contributing factor to deforestation and greenhouse gas emissions, an increase in the prison industrial complex, and many other harmful social and environmental industries that don't align with your values. Find out more about how to avoid doing harm with your investments and how to invest as if our world depended on it. Because it does!
3:55 PM - 4:50 PM
Blockchain & Cryptocurrencies As A Force for Good?
Aya Miyaguchi, Angel Kyodo Williams, Noah Thorp
Moderator: Evan Steiner
New technologies such as blockchain, crypto-currency, initial coin offerings (ICO's), and distributed autonomous organizations (DAO's) are causing immense shifts in our economy. These new approaches are unlocking huge amounts of potential value for society, but they are all nascent, rapidly developing, and highly speculative. How do we ensure these new opportunities provide for the broader benefit and diverse populations, rather than being another tool that concentrates wealth in the hands of the few? How can we leverage this technology as a force for good to support social justice, environmental stewardship, mission-driven entrepreneurship, and new economic models? This session will bring together experts in the emerging blockchain and crypto sector with teachers and community leaders that provide new perspective into its possible trajectory.
5:00 PM - 5:20 PM
Audience discussion
5:20 PM - 5:30 PM
Dedication of Merit
5:30 PM - 7:00 PM
Dinner and networking at The Hive
(No host)
7:00 PM - 9:30 PM
Film: AWAKE, A Dream from Standing Rock
The Water Protectors at Standing Rock captured world attention through their peaceful resistance. A Dream from Standing Rock captures the story of Native-led defiance that forever changed the fight for clean water, our environment and the future of our planet.
Suggested donation goes to Indigenous Media Fund & the Pipeline Fighters Fund (no one turned away)
OAKLAND
2323 Broadway, Oakland, CA
