AMIBA and partners are leading the effort to understand the narrative and conversation needed to get more small business owners and consumers engaged in forming a just and fair approach to market concentration that works for all. The belief is that the way we create conversations that overcome the fragmented nature of our communities is what creates an alternative future. This can be a difficult stance to take for we have a deeply held belief that the way to make a difference in the world is to define problems and needs and then recommend actions to solve those needs. We are all problem solvers, action oriented and results minded. It is illegal in this culture to leave a meeting without a to-do list. We want measurable outcomes and we want them now. What is hard to grasp is that it is this very mindset which prevents anything fundamental from changing.
We cannot problem solve our way into fundamental change, or transformation. This is not an argument against problem solving; it is an intention to shift the context and language within which problem solving takes place. Authentic transformation is about a shift in context and a shift in language and conversation. It is about changing our idea of what constitutes action. AMIBA is partnering with the Access to Markets Initiative, Small Business Rising, Small Business Anti-Displacement Network, Infinity Point (Equity Rising) and others on this important narrative building work facilitated in collaboration with Common Good Collective.
This collaboration with Common Good Collective seeks to cultivate association life where people, namely small business owners and operators, can provide for their own and the community’s well-being. We produce and create conditions where collective social capital can occur by engaging people as powerful agents. And, in this way, grow social capital — building trust and doing things together. Common Good Collective works at the intersection of the significance of place, the structure of belonging, and eliminating economic isolation. AMIBA works to address a more extensive range of issues impacting grassroots efforts to build better local economies. AMIBA’s networks have demonstrated and publicized the importance of local businesses to our national economy. These efforts included educating consumers and policymakers about how small businesses create sustainable jobs and how purchases from small businesses circulate and multiply dollars in local communities. AMIBA has advocated for local businesses impacted by racism and bigotry to community banking and entrepreneurship support. AMIBA seeks to bring a cross-disciplinary lens to improving social good and well-being to local businesses, alliances, affiliates, and supporters.
Please contact Executive Director, Derek Peebles, at derek@amiba.net if you are interested in participating in this work.