We're Getting Ready To Launch!

Io, Sherbeam, Alfonso, Carmen, and Praveen pose near the new stairs to the loft that Io just built.

Hi there! So happy to see you! We're a new people of color-led, gender-balanced maker space that's about to open up in East Oakland. The maker movement is amazing. People are making more things from scratch, learning new and lost arts, and having fun. Some are even finding their way to financial liberty through their passions. This is so great and wonderful! Unfortunately, the movement isn't as diverse as it could be. Which is why we've worked so hard to open up this new space! We really want to take on the challenge of increasing participation of our communities head on. We envision a vibrant space where you can expect to see people of color, immigrants, poor folks, women, youth, transfolks, and queers teaching, learning, and making all kinds of cool things. We also hope to be a force in increasing participation of our communities in STEM fields and startups (of all kinds — micro, macro, non-profit, for-profit, etc.). That's the future (hopefully the very near future!). Today, though, what we have is an unfurnished space (as you can see from the photo), a few committed volunteers, and a big dream. Our first big event will be a community brunch on Feb. 12. This will be a chance to tell people about our dream and also to hear ideas from the community and learn how people are interested in using the space. Please like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, and/or subscribe to this blog for updates. So excited!