They said Black folks couldn't own the block and the brand. We said bet!
What happens when creativity, collective power, and Black cultural excellence collide in the heart of Southeast DC? You get the Douglass Change Makers Cooperative, a worker-owned cooperative bringing fire, flavor, and function to what it means to build for us, by us.
Born out of ONE DC in 2023, DCMC is more than a business; it's a movement. Named in honor of the legacy of liberation rooted in Douglass Commonwealth, this Black-led and Black-rooted co-op brings together writers, makers, visionaries, and artisans who believe economic power should stay in Black hands and in Black homes.
At DCMC, we channel the Swahili principle of Ujamaa, collective work and shared wealth. Each item is heart-crafted, from candle-making and mural commissions to rotating seasonal products that celebrate Black DC history. Every sale is a story, and every design is a declaration.
"We don't just sell products," said one co-op member. "We make statements. We're reclaiming the narrative about what Black creativity looks like when it isn't boxed in."
And that liberation is paying off. In the past year alone, DCMC's candle line was selected for the Nannie Helen Burroughs National Cooperative Hall of Fame Induction, they were commissioned to create a mural honoring Kimi O. Gray, and they've celebrated a 137% increase in sales, a testament to the power of cooperative economics done the community way.
But DCMC isn't just about revenue. It's about transformation. It's about teaching the next generation how to move from consumer to co-owner, tap into their talents, learn business skills, and keep the Black dollar cycling in Wards 7 and 8.
Their vision? A 12-product line that rotates with the seasons, reflects the rhythms of DC's Black communities, and helps fund financial education, co-op training, and cultural wellness programming. And they're just getting started.
Whether you're an aspiring creative looking for a community, a lover of unique products that celebrate Black culture, or an advocate for economic justice, DCMC invites you to be part of this cooperative wave.
Creativity is a path to liberation. Email us at [email protected] to learn more!