New York City-based flexible workspace company Ethel Club is redefining what it means to create a unique, inclusive coworking community.
The walls feature art and photos that acknowledge black and brown existence, while the library holds titles such as “Soul of a Nation: Art in the Age of Black Power,” and others to create a perfect environment for those frustrated with the traditional coworking and social club landscape.
Ethel Club is one of several coworking spaces that have emerged over the past few years that gear their offerings to largely neglected communities — namely women of color.
Of the thousands of coworking spaces that exist across the country, only 60 are black-owned.
“I was usually half to a quarter of the diversity in any space,” said Bridgid Coulter, founder of Blackbird, a women-of-color-centered coworking space based in Los Angeles. “I wondered what it would be like to be different. If the tables were turned, that there was a space that really focused on what we needed, what we’re looking for; different challenges we face as women of color.”
Blackbird in particular offers diverse women with across various industries access to a productive 12,000 square foot space that focuses on community and wellness. It hosts meditation sessions, yoga classes, as well as events to provide a platform for important topics.
