Samara Collective

Indigenous Peoples Day is more than just a celebration. ?It is a testament to our resistance globally and the strength of our prayers. It’s a flame that rises against the winds of colonial violence, rooted in the songs, dances, and stories of those who came before us. Each laugh and each act of love rekindles that flame, shutting down every attempt to erase our existence. Our joy is not just for ourselves, but for the land and ancestors who walk with us. ?Grounded in a deep love for our people and our lands, our joy is an act of resistance. Despite everything that’s been taken from us, we hold onto our laughter, our ceremonies, and our ways of life. To center our joy is to reclaim what was stolen, to breathe life into what was meant to be lost, and to declare that we are still here and that we will not stop fighting for a world that we are deserving of for all people and Mother Earth. ?? ?Today these settler governments will honor a popular colonizer but we have chosen to reclaim the day and center ourselves and celebrate our existence as well as heal from our past and collectively create our future. ?? Happy Indigenous Peoples Day Relatives!Continue to spread that good medicine all around today and everyday! ?? #IPD #IPD2024 #LANDBACK #IndigenousPeoplesDay

Today we launched the Action for Transformation Fund, led by Transgender Law Center and Emergent Fund, a pilot initiative that will move resources to trans-led organizing, healing, and power-building efforts. As its inaugural director, I wanted to share that so much love was poured into creating this fund. This was a collective effort to meet this moment and show up for our communities. I extend deep gratitude to Shelby Chestnut, Alicia Sanchez Gill, MSW, Bianca Nozaki-Nasser, Meera V, Sue Yacka-Bible, Song Hà Pham, Mickaela Bradford, Angela Vo, and others, whose leadership, vision, and care were instrumental in making this fund a reality. I invite you to learn more about the Action for Transformation Fund, share the press release, and spread the word that applications are now open: https://lnkd.in/ejq4xEr8 For inquiries, you can email me at [email protected] Si desea ésta información sobre el Fondo de acción para la transformación en espa?ol, envíeme un mensaje a [email protected] por favor. [Image description: “Action for Transformation Fund, led by Transgender Law Center and Emergent Fund, is a new initiative moving resources to trans-led organizing, healing, and power-building efforts” in a lavender background with graphic accents of textured, colorful mushrooms juxtaposed with magenta and tan circles on the borders, with Emergent Fund and Transgender Law Center logos on the lower corners.]

Why say “Latine” instead of “Hispanic”? ?? Language evolves, and so do the ways we honor identity. The word ‘Hispanic’ often ties us to colonial histories, while 'Latine' reflects a more inclusive, gender-neutral, and culturally diverse term that remedies historical injustices. #LanguageMatters #IdentityMatters

Happy Coop Month! This month we will be highlighting our love for co-ops but first wanted to share a little bit about us. As a worker-owned cooperative, we try our best to embody the values of collaboration, equity, and mutual support that drive the cooperative movement. At Samara, being a cooperative means that we’re not just a business—we’re a collective of people working together toward a shared vision. Our worker-owners bring a range of skills and experiences, and we each have a voice in how we operate, grow, and serve our clients. In our coop, each of us shares not only the responsibilities but also the successes, creating a truly democratic and sustainable model for business. We are excited to continue collaborating and working alongside other cooperatives across industries that are shaping the solidarity economy.

?? Support Co-op Recovery in Western North Carolina! ?? Our friends at Carolina Common Enterprise are setting up a relief fund to support cooperative recovery efforts in Western North Carolina in the coming months. This is a critical time to help communities rebuild and strengthen cooperative businesses after recent challenges. ?? Please consider donating and sharing this link with your co-op networks and friends: https://hubs.li/Q02S2C170 ?? Every bit helps these co-ops get back on their feet! #CooperativeEconomy #MutualAid #CoopRecovery #CommunityWealth #CooperativeSupport #CarolinaCommonEnterprise #WorkerCoops #SolidarityEconomy

Happy Libra Season and National Co-op Month! This month we’re celebrating the power of collective work and collaboration and reflecting on the incredible energy we experienced at the 20th annual Worker Cooperative Conference in Chicago, hosted by U.S. Federation of Worker Cooperatives and The Democracy at Work Institute From building resilient communities to mobilizing state and federal support, worker-owned cooperatives are driving systemic change. We’re especially inspired by thriving co-op ecosystems like those in East Boston and Madison, WI. These communities remind us that by working together, we can build a more just, equitable future. Read more about our takeaways from the conference in our latest blog post: https://lnkd.in/ga8nSKMJ

On Monday, September 30th, Narrative Initiative is releasing a new guide: The Narrative Election Guide for Immigrant Futures. Our guidance is based off of new findings from Define American and Harmony Labs, and is intended as a tool for movement organizers, advocates, and artists working towards immigrant futures. We are releasing the guide during a public briefing with Rinku Sen and Frederica Conrey, Principal Scientist at Harmony Labs. ?? Register here: https://lnkd.in/gk7MPB8B If you can't make it at 1 PM PT / 3 PM CT / 4 PM ET, no problem. All registrants will receive a copy of the briefing and the report.

We really loved attending the Worker Co-op Conference this year! We were thrilled to connect with so many worker-owners and advocates in the cooperative movement and solidarity economy space. The energy, the ideas, and the shared commitment to building a more equitable economy were truly inspiring. Looking forward to continuing these conversations and collaborations — and we can't wait for next year's event!

We had a great time at the Worker Co-op Conference last week in Chicago! We loved seeing new and familiar faces. Thanks,?U.S. Federation of Worker Cooperatives?and?The Democracy at Work Institute for organizing a great conference and bringing together folks in the coop world. More reflections to come!

???Join Us for the Climate Adaptation Forum! New regulations and grant programs are increasingly requiring project teams to meaningfully engage with the people who will be most affected by their proposals, particularly when projects take place in environmental justice communities. What does meaningful community engagement look like, and how does it affect project outcomes? This Climate Adaptation Forum will help new and long-term practitioners alike understand what skills and practices are involved and what benefits are possible when project teams and community members partner to identify both problems and viable solutions to climate challenges. ???Register today to be a part of the conversation:?https://lnkd.in/eNYDubju