Community Empowerment Matters

  The tribal economy is booming! [1] Since the passage of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act in 1988 [2] , tribal gaming enterprises have grown into a $30 billion industry. [3] However, now tribes are looking for new ways to diversify their governmental revenues stream and are moving into off-reservation business ventures: marijuana [4] , government contracts [5] , manufacturing [6] , and more. These off-reservation activities are providing new opportunities for local businesses to partner with tribes and grow their businesses and local economies. Michigan is home to twelve federally recognized tribes [7] , each unique and presenting opportunities for local, non-indian companies willing to partner with them. However, before you enter a contractual agreement with tribal partners, you must address some unique considerations.   Sovereign Immunity The First thing to remember about tribes is that they are governments. Like the Federal, State, and foreign governments, the sovereign imm

  Introduction The word “co-op” often brings to mind a small grocery store in a relatively affluent neighborhood; its narrow aisles filled with bulk granola, tofu, and pricey produce. [1] While some co-ops do match that stereotype, co-ops can be and often are so much more than that. First, what exactly is a co-op? Short for “cooperative,” the International Cooperative Alliance defines a co-op as an “autonomous association of persons united voluntarily to meet their common economic, social and cultural needs and aspirations through a jointly owned and democratically-controlled enterprise.” [2] Put more simply, a co-op is a for-profit or non-profit entity where members — not a board, investors, or a CEO — have an equal say in how business is conducted. Types of co-ops include ●       Worker co-ops (people who work for the co-op own the co-op) ●       Farmer and Independent Small Business Co-ops ●       Purchasing co-ops (small businesses joined together to improve their purch

  Returning Citizens and Reducing Recidivism   Each year, over 610,000 individuals are released from state and federal prisons in the United States.   There is an undeniable link between lack of investment in community resources, socioeconomic disparities, and incarceration rates.   Communities of color are disproportionately impacted by incarceration.   For example, Black Michiganders represent roughly 14% of the state’s population, but a staggering 53% of the state’s incarcerated population.   Many returning citizens face nearly insurmountable barriers to successful reentry into the community, including a lack of stable housing, food, and the skills needed to obtain meaningful employment.   Avoiding recidivism is important for the well-being of these individuals, their families, their communities, and society at large. Research has shown that landing a job as soon as possible after being released from incarceration is one of the keys to avoiding recidivism.   Even as the U.S.