A Bold Idea to Rebuild the Working Class | Molly Hemstreet | TED

Overview

Molly Hemstreet, co-founder of the Industrial Commons, shares her transformative approach to rebuilding rural economies in Southern Appalachia. By fostering employee ownership, sustainable practices, and innovative networks, she aims to overturn cycles of generational poverty and empower communities to thrive.

Notable Quotes

- We forget that we are part of the economy. We forget that we have power in it. It just takes a few people to start. – Molly Hemstreet, on the importance of grassroots action.

- If we work really hard for something, that reward should come back to us. – Molly Hemstreet, on the philosophy behind employee ownership.

- This isn’t just a project of six months. This is a project of generations. – Molly Hemstreet, on the long-term vision for rebuilding communities.

🌲 The Complex Beauty of Appalachia

- Molly describes Appalachia as both beautiful and challenging, with a history of economic extraction that has left communities struggling.

- She highlights the region’s legacy in textile manufacturing, emphasizing its importance in everyday life—from clothing to medical and safety applications.

🧵 Employee Ownership and Sustainable Textiles

- Molly founded Opportunity Threads, an employee-owned company focused on sustainable textile production.

- The company upcycles 60,000 t-shirts weekly, turning waste into profit while empowering workers to share in the rewards.

- Employee ownership fosters a sense of value and agency, ensuring profits benefit the workers who create them.

🤝 Building Networks for Collective Growth

- Molly helped establish the Carolina Textile District, a network designed to scale small businesses collectively.

- The Industrial Commons supports businesses by converting them to employee-owned models and fostering innovation.

- These initiatives have drawn national attention, including recognition from the National Science Foundation.

♻️ Turning Waste into Wealth

- Material Return, a project under the Industrial Commons, transforms textile waste into high-value yarn, increasing its worth from 3 cents to $9 per pound.

- This process exemplifies the broader mission of engineering value back into waste streams and communities.

🌟 A Vision for Thriving Communities

- Molly envisions a future where wealth is rooted locally, extraction is minimized, and the working class thrives.

- Her goal is to engage half of the region’s 27,000 textile workers in sustainable economic opportunities.

- She emphasizes the power of love, care, and local knowledge in driving meaningful change.