Building Local Power presents empowering stories and transformative ideas that drive community resilience, equitable economies, and sustainable futures.
Join Building Local Power for a 5-part investigation into how monopoly power exploits systemic racism, inspired by ILSR’s Power Play report.
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Stacy Mitchell shares the wisdom and motivation she received from ILSR co-founder David Morris, which shapes her work at the forefront of the antimonopoly movement.
In recognition of ILSR co-founder David Morris's life and work, we revisit David's BLP interview in 2017 about local power and the power of cities.
ILSR's Sean Gonsalves discusses the cancellation of the Digital Equity Act and its consequences for communities and Internet users.
Paola Santana, founder of G-Commerce, talks to BLP about using a human-centered approach to fix a broken government purchasing system.
Ohio Statehouse Rep. Tristan Rader joins the Building Local Power podcast to discuss Cleveland, labor, energy, and thinking local from the statehouse.
Baltimore City Councilman Zac Blanchard joins the Building Local Power podcast to discuss his path from neighborhood organizing to his new seat on City Council.
North Carolina State Rep Dante Pittman discusses how innovative ideas and leadership have led to economic growth in his hometown of Wilson, N.C.
Riverbank, CA mayor Rachel Hernandez tells Building Local Power about governing as a renter, a daughter of immigrants, and a political newcomer.
Reverend Ryan Brown and Adam Stromme discuss their efforts to unionize a North Carolina Amazon warehouse and the role racism plays in the warehouse's story.
Producer Mars Verrone shares stories about the creation of Union, a new documentary about the fight to unionize an Amazon warehouse.
Not only does AI technology have severe climate impacts, it exacerbates environmental inequity. UC Riverside professor Dr. Shaolei Ren joins us to explain.
UC Davis professor Andrea Cann Chandrasekher shares her research into consumer redlining, the practice of retail chains providing lesser service in poor or BIPOC neighborhoods.
A lifelong resident fuels the fight to reclaim Toledo’s lost legacy of culture, commerce, and community on the Dorr Street corridor.
A Dorr Street resident and restaurant owner shares tales of optimism, pride, and joy from a golden era for Black Toledoans.
Toledo’s mayor shares the City’s vision for resurrecting a vital corridor after decades of discriminatory policies devastating the community.
Lucas County Commissioner reflects on the legacy of Dorr Street and his commitment to reinvesting in the area to restore community health and resilience.
ILSR's Ron Knox joins us to revisit a 2019 BLP episode on independent musicians in the wake of the DOJ lawsuit against Live Nation.
We discuss The White House’s new strategy to reduce food waste, cut methane emissions create jobs, and foster resilient communities.
ILSR co-director John Farrell joins Building Local Power to discuss how utilities perpetuate a monopoly model that is damaging our health, environment, and economy.
ILSR’s Stacy Mitchell illustrates how independent pharmacies are the unsung heroes of healthcare, providing critical services that chain pharmacies simply can't match.
A visionary embarks on a mission to bridge the people's culture and floriculture.
Reflecting on ILSR’s DC origins 50 years later, when the seat of federal power inspired three pioneers to build local power.
A tech professional journeys from software to opening hardware stores to help rebuild DC neighborhoods. …
An urban planner leads a pioneering effort to revitalize the polluted Anacostia River waterfront.
A veteran journalist reflects on his four-decade career dedicated to covering some of Washington D.C.’s most important stories.
In our new season of Building Local Power, The City Series, we take a tour of cities and towns across the U.S. and talk to...
A Detroit-based bookseller shares the purpose behind her store and its profound impact on the community over the past three decades.… Read More
The Detroit People's Food Cooperative represents a vital step towards fostering food sovereignty in a neighborhood historically affected by food apartheid...
A Detroit entrepreneur explains how her pilot projects are building community, local self-reliance, and resilience...
Avalon Village is a testament to the resilience of communities and the transformative power of collective action...
A grassroots group in Detroit reimagines democracy and economic empowerment...
A brewer details the struggles faced by smaller breweries in a consolidated beer industry, and highlights the importance of creativity, community, and empowerment.… Read More
An environmental lawyer and activist calls bigness the most pressing issue in the waste industry. … Read More
A NYC composter fights to fend off Wall Street and invest in the land and her community. … Read More
A determined coalition fights to block a private takeover of the state’s largest utility. … Read More
A community advocacy organization fought to transfer power from a fossil fuel-backed investment firm to community-driven clean energy.
From the Capitol to K Street, a Wisconsin native finds a home at Consumer Reports advocating for broadband access and affordability. … Read More
Sparklight monopolization of East Carroll Parrish prompts leaders to build a fiber-to-the-home network for fast, affordable Internet. … Read More
Communities nationwide proactively address food security by opening grocery stores that adopt innovative ownership, access, and governance approaches.
A recap of our "How to Get Away With Merger" season featuring local initiatives that resist profit-driven mergers by mobilizing communities and building robust economies.
Two advocates for affordable life-saving drugs share their stories exposing America’s healthcare woes… Read More
A Georgian devotes herself to expanding the rural South’s broadband for better healthcare access… Read More
An activist mobilizes hundreds of residents in an effort to shut down a coal plant… Read More
A tenant organizer battles profit-focused private equity firms for safe, affordable housing.
Three composters face funding challenges in an effort to foster land stewardship… Read More
A fisherman explains how corporations are displacing independent fisherfolk… Read More
“The Onion Man” gives a first-hand account of what is driving farmers to extinction… Read More
A grocery store owner transforms a food desert into a food oasis.
An Ohio pastor leads the charge against the dollar store invasion in his community.