Co-working spaces are shared office environments where people pay rent for table or office space. Unlike typical office environments, most people using co-working spaces do not work for the same organization. However, co-working spaces can provide opportunities for collaborating and networking with other independent professionals. In addition to providing many of the amenities of a traditional office — Wi-Fi, a physical address, meeting spaces, etc. — co-working spaces also host fundraisers, happy hours, networking mixers, and other special events as a way for people to socialize with others “after work”, so to speak.
Why are co-working spaces important specifically for Black designers and developers? Experts predict that 40% of the American workforce (about 60 million people) will be freelancers by the year 2020. Research from the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation revealed that over 64% of African-American millennials want to start their own businesses. As more Blacks around the world become entrepreneurs and freelancers, co-working spaces can become a valuable option.