Tune into WOL 1450 AM, 95.9 FM or the WOL Livestream on Thursday, October 30 at 10:30 a.m. EDT for Everything Co-op, hosted by Vernon Oakes.
This week, Vernon sits down with Alison Powers of Capital Impact Partners and Mary Alex Blanton of National Cooperative Bank. Together, they will discuss the partnership between their organizations to present the 2025 Co-op Innovation Awards, which recognize creative cooperative models that expand economic opportunities nationwide.
Alison Powers is Director of Economic Opportunities at Capital Impact Partners, a national Community Development Financial Institution dedicated to helping communities overcome barriers to success. In her role, she advances economic and wealth-building opportunities through cooperative development, small business growth, and equitable food systems. Alison also leads the Nourish DC Collaborative, which supports locally owned food businesses, expands access to healthy food, and fosters vibrant, job-creating neighborhoods. Through her work, she champions the cooperative model by providing funding, technical assistance, and financing that empower communities to thrive.
Mary Alex Blanton is Senior Vice President and Director of Strategic Marketing at National Cooperative Bank (NCB), where she leads the bank’s marketing strategy, advertising, brand identity, corporate communications and public relations. In her role, she supports NCB’s mission of empowering cooperatives and member-owned organizations—particularly in underserved communities.
The Co-op Innovation Awards honor organizations that strengthen food, housing and worker co-ops. Each year, recipients receive up to $50,000 to expand cooperative development, drive shared prosperity, and build lasting community impact through innovative collaboration.