Southeast Center for Cooperative Development

Strengthening communities, innovating community wealth, and building local prosperity — together.

The Southeast Center for Cooperative Development exists to close the gap of economic disparities that harm low-income, minority, and underserved communities in Metro Nashville and across the Southeast — by helping workers build power and agency through cooperative ownership in business, housing, and community development. Co-led by UAW Local 737 President Benny Overton, SEC4CD provides free cooperative business education and training to worker co-ops at every stage — and finances them through the New Economy of Tennessee (NET) Fund, which is expanding to Memphis.

What SEC4CD Does

Education & Training

Free cooperative business education and training for worker co-ops at all stages of development — in Tennessee, the Southeast, and beyond.

Technical Assistance

Guidance for starting, expanding, or converting businesses to shared ownership — governance, strategic planning, feasibility, and marketing support.

The NET Fund

Non-extractive financing through the New Economy of Tennessee Fund — already backing worker co-ops from Dyersburg to Memphis.

Housing Cooperatives

Limited-equity housing co-ops like Drakes Creek and FIRE — keeping homes affordable and resident-controlled.

Co-op Cafés

Community networking events to meet other cooperative members, learn, and find collaborators.

Faith & Labor

Bringing churches and faith communities into building the new economy — co-ops as a moral movement.

Why Every Union Member Should Know SEC4CD

SEC4CD was born out of the labor and faith community — and it's co-led by a UAW local president. When a plant closes, when a boss sells out, or when workers simply want to own their future, cooperative ownership is the next step past collective bargaining. From Lulu's Café in Memphis to trucking, farming, and home-care co-ops across Tennessee, SEC4CD shows workers how to run — and own — the business.

A Community Partner of Labor Education

Labor Education and SEC4CD share the same conviction: an educated worker is an unstoppable worker. Their free co-op education complements our steward/representative training, and the NET Fund's expansion to Memphis puts our missions on the same streets. Explore their programs and bring cooperative ownership to your local.

Connect with Southeast Center for Cooperative Development

Want to get involved, partner, or learn more? Reach out through their website.