Mike Strode is a writer, urban cyclist, facilitator, and solidarity economy organizer with the Kola Nut Collaborative residing in southeast Chicago. The Kola Nut Collaborative is Chicago’s only time-based service and skills exchange (otherwise known as a timebank) providing an open platform for mutual aid, community organizing, and network weaving. The Collaborative recently launched an initiative to develop a network of Chicago-based facilitators trained in the Offers and Needs Market.

Mike began his work as a timebank coordinator after working for food sovereignty and food justice with Black Oaks Center for Sustainable Renewable Living and Healthy Food Hub. He is also a trainer on cooperative practices having designed sessions for the Co-op Ed Center, Upside Down Consulting, Fuerza Laboral, Network for Developing Conscious Communities, and Cooperation for Liberation Study & Working Group. He is currently a member of the inaugural cohorts of Post Growth Institute’s Post Growth Fellowship and AORTA’s (Anti-Oppression Resource & Training Alliance) Headwaters Facilitation Apprenticeship.

He is also a Program Manager at Open Collective Foundation and serves on the boards of the US Solidarity Economy Network, New Economy Coalition, South Deering Manor Community Association, and Dill Pickle Food Co-op.