Co-op Leadership Grads: Congrats!
Hey New York
We are honored to present the graduates of CEANYC’s 2025 Cooperative Leadership Intensive (CLI.)
This CLI - our 5th - was our most sectoraly diverse, ambitious, and impactful yet. Among a range of co-ops, gardens and land trusts, the cohort included 4 Queens-based groups, 5 mutual aid projects, and 2 community-led cooperative bookstores - all firsts for the CLI. These are the leaders that can make the dream of a solidarity economy in NYC a reality. We were also honored to host a joyous graduation ceremony that featured a capitalism piñata busting ritual as well as the live music of youth-led Cumbia band Los Lil Kumbia.
Check out a few choice quotes graduates delivered after receiving their certificates:
"In this political climate, coming together is essential because we know that we can rely on each other and trust one other, and we really need each other. All of you have reminded me of how amazing my work really is."
- Amanda, East New York Community Land Trust/Brooklyn Cooperative Federal Credit Union
"My biggest takeaway from the CLI is just the possibility of what this can be. Our garden is small but mighty. And working with all of you, I feel so much of our potential power."
- Sam, Cambria Heights Community Garden
"If I can't laugh with you, I can't build with you. Thank you for making me laugh. All of you have made me laugh."
- D, Bluestockings Cooperative Bookstore
Congratulations to our 22+ graduates and click on the groups’ links below to follow and take part in their amazing work.
Learn more about the 22 groups in this year’s CLI cohort:
(Ruth López Martínez, worker owner at Pa'lante Cleaning Cooperative, pictured above receiving her certificate, June 28th, 2025.)
