It is with a heavy heart that we must give this farewell to longtime CFNE board leader Clark Arrington, who passed away in late September. He has served on and off our board since 1991, and was serving on our board as well as our Governance and Racial Equity Committees this year.
Clark’s contributions to CFNE and the many cooperatives in the co-op movement are impressive and motivational. The story of his work is intertwined with the story of the US worker co-op movement, from the Federation of Southern Cooperatives and ICA Group to Equal Exchange and CFNE to Seed Commons and Obran – Clark’s life and accomplishments touched many!
Outside of CFNE, Clark was a cooperative lawyer and visionary who used his expertise to develop innovative capital solutions for worker cooperatives. As a player in the food and justice movement, Clark also dedicated much of his time to creating a world where Black people could own, control, and sustain their own land, labor, and resources.
In 2021, Clark was inducted into the Cooperative Hall of Fame to recognize him for his lasting impact and inspiration in the co-op ecosystem.
We will miss his wisdom, creativity, stories, and passion.
Rest Peacefully, Clark 🕊️