Ujamaa / Cooperative Economics

Ujamaa and the Detroit People's Food Co-op: The Best Example of Black Cooperative Economics and How it Happened

"Ujamaa / Cooperative Economics – To build and maintain our own stores, shops, and other businesses and to profit from them together."

When the Detroit People's Food Co-op opened the doors to their brand new, state of the art supermarket on May 1, 2024, they were responding proactively to long recognized "food inequity and economic extraction" conditions that persist in and around their Detroit North End neighborhood. Many of the people who joined several hundred area residents at the grand opening were aware this store represents the vision turned into reality of the Detroit Black Community Food Sovereignty Network (DBCFSN) – and this celebration was a long time coming.

For those who don't know how this thriving example of Black–led Ujamaa / Cooperative Economics came to be, as a native Detroiter – Whaddupdoe? – I am proud to share the story.

Detroit People's Food Co-op grand opening

The Detroit Food Commons

The Detroit People's Food Co-op is the core tenant in the Detroit Food Commons, a brand-new 31,000 square foot, two-story complex built on Woodward Avenue by the DBCFSN in partnership with Develop Detroit, Inc.

The Detroit Food Commons is a community development project that results from decades of work to promote food sovereignty, self-determination, and cooperative economic prosperity in Black communities everywhere by the DBCFSN. The Detroit People's Food Co-op occupies the entire first floor of the building – 15,000 square feet – with four shared use kitchens and banquet hall space available for community use and rental on the second floor.

D-Town Farm

DBCFSN offices occupy the remaining second floor area. From that space, their highly skilled leadership team manages their stake in the Detroit Food Commons and their other major Black Food Sovereignty project, D-Town Farm. This seven-acre farm inside of Detroit's Rouge Park is "maintained by a small staff and volunteers who grow more than 30 different fruits, vegetables, and herbs each year using sustainable, regenerative methods." D-Town Farm supplies chemical-free, in-season produce to the food co-op in an inspiring example of cooperative economics.

Leadership Transition

Almost immediately after the Detroit People's Food Co-op opened, Baba Malik Yakini stepped down from the DBCFSN Executive Director role to begin a well-deserved one-year research sabbatical before retirement. What may seem odd to some was simply another part of a well-developed plan for long-term food sovereignty in Detroit's Black community. This leadership team always has a plan.

After organizing the DBCFSN in February 2006 and dedicating almost twenty years to realizing this dynamic vision, Baba Malik decided it was time for the next generation of Black Food Sovereignty leaders to take their place. His role as Executive Director was divided between two brilliant and committed Black women who had already made long-term contributions to this very special Ujima and Ujamaa project they were being called to lead.

New Co-Executive Directors

Sister Gi'Anna Cheairs and Sister Shakara Tyler Saba are the new Co-Executive Directors of the DBCFSN. Gi'Anna assumes responsibility as Chief Financial Officer, with Shakara as Director of Fund Development. They are both highly credentialed with years of experience and a proven track record of leadership that has prepared them well for their roles. They also have a deep and profound appreciation for the best of African history and culture. The DBCFSN will continue using the Nguzo Saba / Seven Principles as a fundamental part of their mission, operation, and programming under their leadership.

Community celebration at Detroit People's Food Co-op

We give thanks for the DBCFSN and its leadership, past and present, for the outstanding example of Ujamaa / Cooperative Economics they have modeled for the world to see at the Detroit People's Food Co-op and D-Town Farm. In fact, it is easy to see every one of the principles being applied in their work.

We hope Black people locally, nationally, and worldwide will be inspired to repeat and build on this example to establish and maintain food sovereignty and security in their communities. After all, nothing is more important.

Learn More

For more information about the Detroit People's Food Co-op and the Detroit Black Community Food Sovereignty Network, please visit their website or contact them directly to learn how you can support or replicate this model of cooperative economics in your community.