Our eighth North Star cohort is in full swing! The 2024-25 North Star Black Cooperative Fellowship is participating in a few hybrid sessions this fall and spring and gathering virtually for the remaining sessions. Our 24 fellows represent 10 cooperatives, with missions focused on housing, community wealth building, solidarity and connection, life skills, empowerment, art, healing, and mental health. Get a preview below, and read more about their work here!
Branch Out and Bloom
Shanaya Dungey, Jena Holliday, Loryn Branch
Providing life skills and creative arts education for Black children and young adults in Minnesota.
BWINH Inc.
Vanessa Weathers, Jessica Sol
Building a resilient and supportive network for Black communities in New Hampshire and surrounding areas, addressing the impacts of racism, sexism, and gender discrimination.
Community Healing Services
Monica Smith, Charlotte Smith
Providing new or renovated homes in a therapeutic, cooperative community for unhoused, under-housed and historically disadvantaged individuals, veterans, and families.
Mudluk Pottery
Keegan Xavi, Sayge Carroll
Cultivating racial equity in the ceramic arts by facilitating opportunities for BIPOC ceramic artists of all skill levels.
Mutha Art’preneur Collective
Eshay Brantley, Nakara White, Eshia Taylor
Creating intersecting practices of dreaming, actualizing, and intergenerational healing where Black women can show up and be supported as their full selves.
Onyx Collective
Victoria McWane-Creek, Heather Gaston, Jacqueiline Hill
Moving with love, justness, and fairness to enable Black people to just be and support one another as we fully participate, prosper, and live into our full potential.
Our Journey Home
Cynthia Elmore, Yameika Gilleylen
Working to end homelessness in the Twin Cities and surrounding areas and to provide supportive services.
Roots and Resilience Institute
Katherine Moreno, Scarlett Gonzalez
Bridging the gap between diverse racial and cultural groups through the expertise of community-based BIPOC trainers.
WisConnect Holding Cooperative, LWCA
Briana Gipson-Fleming, Chipo Nyambuya
Supporting Black women-owned businesses via collective ownership, community wealth building, operations, and affordable retail space.
Women on Wednesday Coaching & Consulting Services
Vannesia Thomas, Akaytra Jones, Jawana Benton-Johns
Empowering and educating women and youth by fostering solidarity, inspiring growth, and increasing community engagement through holistic wellness and restorative practices.