Episode Summary:
Join Emily's conversation with Loubna Messaoudi, a social entrepreneur and founder of BIWOC* Rising, a Berlin-based coworking space dedicated to intersectional justice for marginalised communities.
Loubna shares her insights on building inclusive and diverse work environments, particularly for women, trans, inter, and non-binary people of colour.
We explore the challenges and learning curves of creating spaces that claim to be inclusive and genuinely feel safe for everyone.
Loubna also discusses the critical importance of unlearning biases, the complexities of evolving a community's structure, and the power dynamics involved in truly sharing decision-making.
Timeline Summary:
[00:01] - Introduction to the upcoming Community Builders cohort and how it supports independent creators and community builders.
[01:03] - Loubna Messaoudi shares her passion for inclusion and her role in the European Coworking Assembly's IDEA Handbook project.
[03:28] - Discussing the essential elements needed to create a safe work environment for marginalised communities.
[05:15] - Loubna explains the importance of authenticity in creating safe spaces and the pitfalls of superficial inclusivity.
[08:03] - Transitioning from focusing on one marginalised group to broader inclusivity presents challenges in meeting all groups' needs.
[10:28] - Dealing with tough conversations when people doubt your intentions is hard. It's essential to keep learning and adapting.
[13:14] - Understanding the "elbow mentality" and how power-sharing can transform the workplace dynamics in coworking spaces.
[17:26] - Loubna reflects on the inspiration behind Biwalk Rising and the need for spaces that genuinely cater to marginalised communities.
Detailed Episode Breakdown:
Loubna Messaoudi delves into the nuanced challenges of creating truly inclusive coworking spaces in this incredible episode.
We explore the following key topics:
The IDEA Handbook: Loubna aims to help coworking spaces focus on genuine inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility.
Intersectionality in Practice: How BIWOC* Rising uses intersectionality to dismantle exclusive structures and the practical steps they take to ensure everyone feels safe and included.
Authenticity in Inclusion: The critical difference between superficial inclusivity efforts and genuine, impactful change. Loubna emphasizes the need for spaces beyond token gestures and genuinely engages with the communities they serve.
Evolving a Community’s Structure: The journey of BIWOC* Rising as it transitioned from focusing on women of colour to a more inclusive space that also welcomes trans, inter, and non-binary individuals. Loubna discusses the internal debates and the learning process that accompanied this shift.
Power Dynamics in Coworking Spaces: Loubna illuminates some people's reluctance toward sharing power and the importance of understanding that inclusivity does not diminish one's influence but rather enhances the collective power of the community.
Practical Tips for Creating Safer Spaces: Loubna offers actionable advice on how coworking spaces can make marginalized individuals feel welcome, from non-gendered bathrooms to sensitivity training for all members.
Links & Resources
London Coworking Assembly Forum & Bar Camp 17th September 2024
Join the 7k people in the LinkedIn Coworking Group
Connect with Emily on LinkedIn
Connect with Loubna Messaoudi on LinkedIn
One more thing
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Building Safe Spaces for Marginalised Communities with Loubna Messaoudi