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Vernon Oakes

Host

Everything Co-op

Guided by the belief that the power of self-help and community can overcome adversity and provide positive outcomes for society, Vernon Oakes has utilized his radio show, Everything Co-op, to elevate the voices of cooperative leaders who organize, maintain, support, and grow cooperatives. Firm in his belief that cooperatives can solve community problems and help people come out of poverty with dignity, Vernon continues his mission to educate about cooperatives through Common Good Management Services and Everything Co-op.

Congratulatory Listings

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Congratulations on your well-deserved Hall of Fame induction! Your support of our hardware business throughout the years was felt far and wide by our team. The cooperative landscape is so much richer because of your impact, passion and dedication.

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Congratulations Vernon Oakes, on your induction into the NCBA Hall of Fame. You have worked relentlessly for the coop community and I can’t think of someone more deserving of this award. Thank you for your commitment and dedication in
achieving this great milestone.

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By elevating the voices of cooperative leaders who organize, support and grow
cooperatives, your desire to seek transformation through cooperative education is evident. NCBA CLUSA members and staff congratulate you and applaud your contributions to the cooperative movement by building a more inclusive economy.

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Vernon, we know why you love co-ops so much!


You genuinely care about people, and you see the co-op model as a way to help people have a good life. Thanks for sharing the co-op story!

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Congratulations, Vernon Oakes! As host of “Everything Co-op,” your interviews have demystified cooperatives, making them accessible to all. Your legacy of service, including over 400 interviews, an established LLC/nonprofit, and future cooperative plans will continue to educate and empower generations to come. Your induction into the Co-op Hall of Fame is well deserved. We’re proud to be part of your team!

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Vernon, your generosity with your time and wisdom is incomparable. The Common Good team has benefited so much from you as we continue to learn every day how to provide mission-aligned property management to community oriented affordable housing projects.

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Thank you!

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You had a vision and made it a reality. Thank you for your dedication to telling the impactful stories of co-ops and co-op leaders from around the world through Everything Co-op. Now the best kept secret is no longer a secret!

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Vernon,
Thank you for your mentorship, guidance and dedication to this work. It has been a pleasure getting to learn from you. We admire your tenacity and commitment and are proud to work alongside of you, in cooperation. Congratulations on this and every achievement! Salute!

 

The Ajani Group
Esther, Gary, Mavery, Stephen & Teia

19 - This was taken two years ago at the 50th anniversary of Africana Studies at San Diego

Friends of Vernon Oakes

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Ann Fedorchak
Casey Fannon
Cathy Statz
Chris and Carole Kerns
Dami Odetola
David Finkelstein
David J. Thompson
Diane Gasaway
Doug and Alisa O’Brien
Gary W. Hampton,
ACE Board Chair
James Woody
Jim Jones

Judy Ziewacz

Karen Zimbelman
Kirstie Boyette
Margaret M. Bau
Margaret Lund
Mark Goehring
Martin Lowery
Mary Griffin
Mary Ann Rothman
Michelle L. Schry
Pat Thornton
Paul Bradley
Rob McClinton
William J. Nelson

Mathematician and Educator

Born in 1947, Vernon Oakes grew up in Bluefield, West Virginia where he experienced the kind of racism and discrimination that might discourage a less determined person. As he watched his mother complete her undergraduate degree while raising seven children, he resolved to persevere as well. A speech impediment and likely dyslexia made reading and writing a daily struggle for him, but mathematics made sense, so he followed numbers to success. He obtained a bachelor's degree in mathematics at Bluefield State College, a master's degree in mathematics at Penn State, and an MBA from Stanford University. Later, he found that math integrated with marketing and business perfectly. It was a lesson he shared with students at Howard University.

Honoring and Planning Committee

Casey Fannon . Mark Goehring
Terry Appleby . Thane Joyal . Pat Thornton

Nominated by:

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National Cooperative Bank and Columinate

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