The Network Breakfast: Growing Baltimore’s Cooperative Movement

Coffee, connections, and cooperative leaders from across different sectors in Baltimore City - the curious and the pros are welcome! This month, The Network Breakfast will be co-hosted by Impact Hub and the Baltimore Roundtable for Economic Democracy (BRED). Did you know that Baltimore has the highest concentration of worker-owned cooperatives in the nation? Come hear about examples of Baltimore organizations who converted from employer owned to employee owned. The Network Breakfast series connects you with the expertise that flows within the decade-long relationships built at Impact Hub Baltimore. We pride ourselves on operating with strength in our grassroots, brilliance in our creative community, and a spirit of collaboration and solidarity that enables us to work across sectors and silos to accomplish big things. Featured Speakers: • Anna Evans-Goldstein, Managing Director at Baltimore Roundtable for Economic Democracy • Vinny Green, worker-owner at Taharka Brothers • Heidi Thomas, worker-owner at EnviroCollab • Shelby Munson, worker-owner at Common Ground Who will get the most out of this event? This conversation is for anyone working within institutions, organizations, communities, agencies, or enterprises who are seeking to learn from or share wisdom on the success of cooperative models. For many years, organizers in the cooperative community expanded access to the funding, knowledge, practices, and policies needed for these models to thrive. If you’re looking to go even deeper and build practical skills, you should also register for BRED’s Co-Op Jumpstart being hosted at Impact Hub on Saturday, March 8, 10am-4pm. Register Today! • FREE coffee and light breakfast • FREE day pass to come back • Get energized and plug into an action-driven community Event Context In 2025, Impact Hub Baltimore celebrated 10 years of building community and driving progress in Baltimore City. Throughout the year, we will elevate the people and innovations that have shaped where we have been and where we are going next. The Network Breakfast series will mobilize thought partners across our network that represent the institutions, organizations, entrepreneurs, and community leaders committed to building civic wealth. These events will build insights and relationships that spark intentional systems change. Our dynamic network of leaders will share innovative models that demonstrate our ability to move past the status quo and build more effective, equitable outcomes. We will engage in dialogue around abundance mindsets, cooperative models, community redevelopment, and local procurement. Participants will leave feeling more informed and inspired. They will also be empowered to ground their decision-making in the pragmatic advice and lived experience of small business owners and local leaders. Discussions will be tailored to surface what is true, what is possible, and what can be done to alleviate barriers and expand opportunities for growing civic and community wealth.