See what Nexus’ North Star Black Cooperative Fellowship (NSBCF) was up to in 2025!
Cohort 8 Graduation
In May, we graduated 23 fellows from 10 cooperative groups, celebrating their achievements and shared leadership. Their showcase, We Are the Architects, uplifted the creativity, healing work, and cooperative legacies they are building.
Cohort 9 Launch
In August, we opened up applications for Cohort 9 and received 90 submissions—the most in North Star history! This included 57 applicants from the Twin Cities, six from Greater Minnesota, 26 from across the United States, and one international applicant, showing just how far our work is reaching.
In October, we welcomed 33 new fellows across 14 cooperative groups as our 2025-26 North Stars. This cohort reflects strong Black-led visions in wellness, land, food, creative economies, and mutual aid.
Alumni Support
Seven alumni cooperatives received continued support and technical assistance, including up to $25,000 for project development. This investment helped stabilize operations and strengthen long-term cooperative growth.
2025 Events
- IBWIG Presentation: The Power of Wealth-Building through Cooperatives
Ignite Business Women Investment Group hosted an evening of cooperative education and networking to celebrate Black History Month. Nexus Community Wealth Building Director Nonkululeko Tabata shared actionable strategies and resources for building community cooperatives and wealth, and reflected on the joy of being in community with the women of Ignite and uplifting real stories from the cooperative ecosystem. - Nexus 20th Anniversary Series: Rooted in Legacy, Owning Our Future
This celebration honored 20 years of Community Wealth Building at Nexus and lifted up the history and future of collective ownership. NSBCF was highlighted as part of the broader movement advancing cooperative power and community control. - Community Wealth Building Team Retreat
Our internal retreat strengthened NSBCF’s connections with Nexus’ other Community Wealth Building programs: the Shared Ownership Center (SOC@N) and Open Road Fund (ORF). Through shared learning and strategy building, our gathering created space for alignment, reflection, and deeper collaboration. - Co-Minnesota Presentation
We shared the NSBCF model and insights from fellows during Cooperatively Building a Better World. The presentation affirmed the importance of Black-led cooperative leadership within Minnesota’s growing cooperative ecosystem.
Internal Growth and Strategy
Strategic Planning with AORTA
We completed most of our strategic planning work with AORTA this year and look forward to sharing more of what is emerging in 2026. This process helped us reflect deeply, clarify our priorities, and prepare for North Star’s 10th anniversary!
Tabling & Community Engagement
- City of Saint Paul Office of Financial Empowerment – Money Action Day
On May 31, NSBCF tabled alongside SOC@N and ORF to connect with residents around cooperative ownership and financial empowerment. It was a meaningful opportunity to meet community members, share resources, and introduce people to our work! - Black Business Network Business Fair
On June 12, NSBCF and ORF engaged more than 60 local vendors with new and interactive activities. The fair was an energizing space to introduce cooperative concepts to entrepreneurs and strengthen relationships across the business community.
Conferences & National Presence
- National Conference for Arts Funders and Artists
NSBCF co-led a breakout session with AmbitioUS and The Big We focused on Black-led community ownership and cooperative models as strategies for economic justice and liberation. Participants also engaged directly with three North Star alumni collectives: Branch Out and Bloom, Voice of Culture, and Mutha Art’preneur Collective. - Repaired Nations Seventh Annual Black Solidarity Cooperative Conference
NSBCF was invited to speak at this national gathering in Oakland from Oct. 10-12. We also presented an updated Cooperative Gallery Walk that highlighted the powerful work of our fellows and alumni.