Appreciation for the January 2024 Cohort! 🎉

We’re excited to share that our January 2024 Study Circles program has successfully concluded, featuring four outstanding groups. Over six months, these groups studied cooperative history, frameworks, and guiding principles through PACAs cooperative pre-developmental content and self guided study. Each group was allocated $1,625 to manage cooperatively, met bi-weekly and were supported by the PACA Study Circles Educator. We are eager to see their continued growth as they continue on their cooperative journey. 

The groups included 

• Black.Bird.Rising: Located in Germantown, this new sanctuary focuses on the wellness of Black, Queer/LGBTQIA2S+, and Trans individuals and their allies. They offer a safe, inclusive space for various wellness practices and creative workshops. Their time was dedicated to building trust as potential members and exploring cooperative frameworks for future development as a cooperative.
• Cooperative Business Talk: This network of Black female business owners studied cooperatives to create a supportive network that amplifies their collective impact, builds solidarity, and empowers its members.
• Joyful Revolt: A group of artists and craft makers delving into cooperative models to grow their queer centered businesses to enhance sustainability, capacity and improve their quality of life as owners. 
• Black Visioning Group: This collective is focused on creating safe spaces and a reparations network for the Black LGBTQIA+ community in Philadelphia. They studied Black cooperative history and began developing their infrastructure and governance.

Even though their program has ended, study circles are encouraged to continue their work and their relationship with PACA. All previous participants have priority access to technical assistance as they advance their cooperative initiatives.

Get Involved! 🌟

• Explore our Airtable resource list: Historically study circles are self guided and organized as a study group! Discover a range of media types, resources and courses from other organizations within the cooperative movement.  Airtable Resource List

How to Use the PACA resources Airtable (Public)

• Follow us: Stay updated via our website and Instagram @phillycoop for the latest on study circles and public workshops.
• Join our virtual workshops: Ti, our Study Circles Educator, offers virtual workshops and can add you to our invitation list for public opportunities. Complete this form if you’re interested.
• Submit your cooperative idea: We are currently unclear when we will be accepting new applications. However, do you have a cooperative business idea and an active group/collective ready for development? Consider completing our intake form for our technical assistance offerings..

Thank you for reading! For more information, questions, or concerns about Study Circles, contact us at studycircles@philadelphia.coop.