Dear Members of ACE:

 

Advocate, author, scholar, cooperative developer, visionary leader, founder, mentor, friend and respected colleague...these are among the words used to describe our own Dr. Jessica Gordon Nembhard by those who have worked beside her in the cooperative development community.  We are pleased that in 2016 there will be additional words to describe our friend -- Member, Cooperative Hall of Fame.

 

On May 4, 2016, she will be among three outstanding individuals inducted to the Cooperative Hall of Fame at the National Press Club in Washington. DC.  This is the highest award given by the cross-sector U.S. cooperative community and we'd like to ask you to join us in honoring her as she receives this well-deserved recognition. 

 

Jessica's serious research and scholarship has told the story and raised awareness of the role cooperatives have played in the African American community.  Her pioneering boots-on-the-ground organizing clearly helped to build capacity across many cooperative sectors, and her book has provided inspiration to countless individuals, both students and practitioners. Jessica has always been enormously generous with her time, contributing to numerous groups including ACE and is one of our very best ambassadors for the entire cooperative movement.

 

We are asking the members of ACE and other colleagues of Jessica's to join together to purchase a congratulatory ad in her honor in the Hall of Fame commemorative program.  An ad like this will include the ACE logo and a personalized message from her colleagues that would let her know that you, too, appreciate her work and commitment to cooperatives. 

The cost of an ad is $1,500.  To allow for contributions of any amount to contribute toward this goal, CDF has set up a special donation link for collaborative donors to use. You can pay by credit card and donate any amount (ignore the "free" button, that just means that there is no minimum donation required).

Identify yourself as an ACE member in the "notes" section, and let's get started! 

Find the link to donate here. 

 

For more information, please see the Hall of Fame website at heroes.coop/sponsors. You may also contact Cassandra Durand, [email protected], at CDF directly if you would like more information or to honor our co-op heroes.

 

We look forward to seeing you at the 2016 Cooperative Hall of Fame! 

Yours in cooperation,

Margaret Lund, ACE Member

Chair, Dr. Jessica Gordon Nembhard's Honoring Committee