Ed Whitfield is an American activist, writer, and community organizer prominently known for his work in the movements for economic justice and racial equality, particularly in the Southern United States. He has been a long-time advocate for community-led development, self-determination, and the creation of alternative economic systems.
Born in 1940, Whitfield's activism spans several decades, beginning with his involvement in the Civil Rights Movement. He later became a key figure in initiatives aimed at building sustainable local economies and addressing systemic inequalities. He is a founding member and board member of the [[Fund for Democratic Communities]] (FDC), a foundation based in Greensboro, North Carolina, that supports community-based initiatives, worker cooperatives, and democratic economic development.
Whitfield's work often emphasizes the importance of [[Community Wealth Building]] strategies, which focus on empowering local communities to own and control assets, rather than relying solely on external investment. He advocates for the growth of [[Worker Cooperatives]] and other democratically-owned enterprises as a means to achieve greater economic equity and stability. Through his writings and public speaking, he has contributed significantly to discussions on Black liberation, reparations, and the need for transformative change beyond incremental reforms.