Planting Seeds of Inclusive Growth

Communities across Michigan are filled with challenges. Economic growth is inequitable. Healthcare services are structured in ways that often create more obstacles for marginalized communities. Rising interest rates have led to conditions where those without personal wealth or collateral are being left out of capital access programs. The same programs that are often created to fill gaps leading towards increased home ownership or business growth initiatives in struggling communities. 

It’s impossible to think we can do it all. Ambitious leaders may set a high standard and reach their goals, but it is still not enough. Even if nonprofit and government agencies operate at full capacity, there will still be a pressing need to address systemic problems. The truth is that our communities’ barriers are so great that collaboration is the best path forward.  

We took another step towards that approach a few weeks ago by hosting the CEO of our partners, B Lab US & Canada, Jorge Fontanez for a fireside chat and casual community gatherings focused on growing the B Corp movement in Detroit. Our main goals were to educate and give back to the community. We hired local vendors and created an Artisan Market at the main event to promote local entrepreneurs. B Lab has helped inform our models to support businesses seeking to make social and environmental impacts. People First is helping B Lab implement those models in ways that make sense for a Michigan audience. This approach gets slightly adapted as we move between communities like Grand Rapids, Detroit, and Traverse City. Many seeds were planted in Detroit and now it is time to cultivate them. 

We cultivated and built relationships with the Southeast Michigan Sustainable Business Forum over four years and our work became so complementary that it led to a merger of equals a few months ago. PFE can now build on that history of developing a sustainable business ecosystem that they started roughly twenty years ago in the region.  

Our team is also working on a statewide Access to Capital initiative with partners like the Detroit Community Wealth Fund, Center for Community Based Enterprises, and Michigan Center for Employee Ownership. Some of us have lending products. Others have unique technical assistance expertise. Each of us is part of a solution that can reach more small business owners than any of us as individuals. The community benefits when we embrace the opportunity to innovate and build together. 

Organizations all have gaps that an unknown partner can fill. Let’s find them and identify ways to collaborate.  

Trust and accountability should also be a part of the process. There are often situations where large organizations approach smaller ones as partners; Dig a little deeper and we find extractive models. I regularly connect with nonprofit and business leaders across the state. There are too many examples of larger organizations approaching small or BIPOC led groups to “partner” with minimal funding allocation. It often means an offer for a very small piece of the contract pie in exchange for our social capital. Let’s hold ourselves accountable to become strong stewards of funds in ways that maximize impact. Create budgets that fund partners adequately for the work or social capital you ask of them or reduce expectations. 

I’m a big fan of the KConnect Compensation Framework to compensate community residents that organizations engage with. 

The business community is a part of this process. People First Economy believes that building an inclusive economy requires entrepreneurs to do their part. Consider the communities, your employees, and the environment as stakeholders impacted by your actions. Nonprofits and government agencies are doing a part of the job. The responsible companies will make sure they don’t get left behind.  

We invite you to join our Good For Michigan community of practice that considers people and our planet in business decisions. We invite you to become a Local First business who sources locally and does their part to build an inclusive economy grounded in Local Ownership. 

Are you already connected to a community helping you play your part? We encourage you to dive deeper and help them reach the next level. Plant new seeds of collaboration. Cultivate them with trust and accountability. Society thrives when we put people first and you are an important part of that process. 

With Purpose and Passion, 

Carlos 

Carlos Martinez (he/him) has served as President of People First Economy since January 2024. He has extensive experience in economic development, higher education, community engagement, and global partnerships. Carlos champions the creation of an inclusive, equitable, and circular economy deeply rooted in community care.