#UjimaWednesdays | Building the Vision: Artists, Cooperatives, and the Solidarity Economy | 7.30

Month Description:

Transition, expansion (or contraction), and restructuring are all often necessary steps on collective journeys toward co-determination; tests of conflict or hardship forge cooperative practices by fire, kindling responsiveness and shaking up hierarchies. Join us this July for Re/Structure: Transformation Through Cooperation, to learn how we can challenge hierarchies, organize effectively and responsively, and redefine  progress in the solidarity economy. We must practice re-granting legitimacy, for us and by us, to economic practices that are rooted in materiality and accountability, in ingenuity and resilience. Our understanding of collective work and responsibility compels us to support community-led re-structuring in building up the solidarity economy. 

Event Description:

What happens when artists reclaim the means of cultural production? In this story-sharing and strategy-based session, Dorchester Art Project reflects on its evolution from a traditional arts space into an artist-led cooperative. Learn why co-ops are critical for artist survival, how DAP is building collective infrastructure, and the ways in which art spaces can be incubators for solidarity economy principles. Through dialogue and reflection, we’ll explore the power of shared ownership, the transformation of creative labor into sustainable livelihood, and the everyday miracles that emerge when artists organize together.
 

Facilitator Bio:

Stephen Lafume, is an advocate for community well-being and creative entrepreneurship, and has a multifaceted background that reflects a commitment to social impact and individual expression. Born and raised in Boston in a large Haitian family, Stephen learned the value of perseverance, interdependence, and joy from a young age. These core values were the catalyst for ventures into community organizing and entrepreneurship, platforms that have allowed Stephen to advocate for community betterment and combat violence on a broader scale. Whether through organizing community events or spearheading initiatives for social change, Stephen seeks to make a lasting impact by blending creativity with purpose.