About Us

Washington communities face systemic racism, income and wealth disparities, and the climate crisis, all built upon an economic system that is designed to extract resources and power from Black, Indigenous, and communities of color, immigrants and refugees, women, and other frontline communities to benefit a wealthy few. To meet the challenge, we must transition from this extractive economy to an economy that is just, democratic, and sustainable.

The People’s Economy Lab is led by and centers Black, Indigenous, and communities of color in the Seattle area who are striving for economic justice. We identify, co-create, and make the case for better economic models; convene leaders in our field; and build the movement for an economy that puts people first.

Our Mission

People’s Economy Lab identifies, co-creates, and makes the case for better economic models; convenes leaders in our field; and builds the movement for an economy that puts people first. We push the bounds of what's possible for a Just Transition to a solidarity economy.

Our Vision

An economy that serves people, instead of people serving the economy. Where community and worker-owned businesses meet local needs. Where we measure belonging, health, and a sustainable environment instead of GDP. Where the government is driven by participation instead of partisan politics. Where investing means closing the racial wealth gap instead of making the rich richer.

Through our Collaboration

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Indigenous artists are reclaiming stolen land and uplifting Native creative economies
Black-led organizations are building community-controlled development infrastructure and piloting community-controlled capital funds that build generational wealth and combat displacement
Asian American and Pacific Islander entrepreneurs are creating community composting systems that lay the foundation for hyperlocal circular economies
Gig workers unions are winning ground breaking labor protections and creating mutual aid systems
Latina community leaders are creating urban farming and food systems that they own and control cooperatively, as well as becoming a Spanish-language resource for cooperative development in Washington

Our Values

The solidarity economy puts people and places first. It is designed to meet local needs, here and everywhere, now and in the future.

Community

We focus on local needs and community ownership, where dollars circulate locally, wealth is built within communities, and trust is at the center of relationships.

Resilience

We cultivate a diverse and resilient economy. We learn and adapt from Native knowledge and practice continuous innovation.

Equity

We advance equitable access, community ownership, democratic decision making, and BIPOC leadership. We strive for racial equity and economic justice, to put intersectionality into practice, and to right historic and current wrongs.

Stewardship

We are stewards of care, service, and connection to people, the planet, and the commons. We are keepers of collective wisdom and knowledge.

Innovation

We believe we can make things better. We are risk-takers and adventurers. We dream big, push for change, and have fun!

Integrity

We are transparent and align our goals with community priorities. We believe in inclusive decision making and clear accountability.

Partnership

We honor relationships and are generous with ideas. We collaborate rather than compete; cooperate rather than dominate. We value personal connections rather than anonymous transactions.

Our History

In 2016, Seattle Good Business Network convened local economy leaders to create—as an antidote to the persistent, systemic economic inequity that plagues Seattle’s communities—a blueprint for a local economy that is equitable, diverse, and resilient. The founding Lab cohort convened leaders already working on the ground in innovative ways to localize the economy to create a shared vision and roadmap for a community-centered economy that works for everyone. From these original core set of ideas and leaders, the Lab has evolved into an independent project for community economy leaders, particularly leaders in BIPOC communities, to convene.