The 2015 Annual Meeting at the Friendship store was quite likely the largest one in Seward Co-op’s history – in terms of sheer number of people in attendance and in terms of the size of the event. The night’s agenda was packed, and we were thrilled to see such a great turnout.

The 2015 board of directors election saw a pool of highly qualified candidates, and we are excited to have assembled such a strong board of directors. On behalf of the board, thank you to all who ran, and all who voted. Congratulations to election winners Louis Alemayehu, David Hoffman-Dachelet, Joe Riemann and Mary Alice Smalls! For full election results, please click here.

Following the announcement of the election’s outcome, community members shared their support and stories about their deep roots in the Bryant and Central neighborhoods. The We Win drummers signaled the ribbon cutting ceremony, and a vast crowd watched in anticipation as Friendship Store Manager Ray Williams, Diversity and Community Engagement Manager LaDonna Sanders-Redmond, and Greater Friendship Missionary Baptist Church Pastor Billy Russell cut the ribbon and invited shoppers in to check out the new Friendship store. Thanks again to all who came out to support the co-op.

Thanks to speakers:

• City Councilperson Alondra Cano
• State Representative Karen Clark
• City Councilperson Elizabeth Glidden
• City Councilperson Cam Gordon
• Stephanie Zawistowski, speaking on behalf of Mayor Betsy Hodges
• Pastor Nazim Fakir, St. Peter’s AME Church
• Eric Weiss and Mike Stebnitz, Carrot Initiative
• Gary Cunningham, Metropolitan Council member & nephew of Kenneth “Mo” Burton
• Pastor Billy Russell, Greater Friendship Missionary Baptist Church