At our 2022 State of the Chamber dinner, held on June 22, 2022, we shared the exciting news that we are launching a capital campaign to fund Seen: An LGBT+ Coworking Community!
A project of Harmony, Seen will be the first facility of its kind in the nation to provide an LGBT-centric workspace with a retail and entrepreneurial incubator. (A couple of other LGBT-focused coworking spaces exist in the US, but none that combine the business-building aspects Seen will feature.) It is designed to be an embracive space in which LGBT+ individuals and businesses can thrive.
With a focus on long-term sustainability, we have a multi-step plan we are following in order to make Seen a reality. Our initial round of seed funding aims to raise $350,000 to cover initial costs pertaining to leased space, technology & systems, consulting by community space experts, staff costs, and upfitting-related expenses. Initially, Seen will operate as a space within Raleigh Founded. Later fundraising rounds will help secure a stand-alone location that is exclusively Seen.
More information regarding Seen is below, but please email seen@harmonync.org with any questions. Looking to get involved? We’d love to have your support! Be sure to visit our online pledge form.
Seen tackles head-on the negative impact experienced all too often by working LGBT+ professionals by providing a private, secure, and affirming coworking space that embraces each person’s identity and enables them to thrive without fear of discrimination, hostility, name-calling, bullying, or even physical or sexual assault.
It’s a place where LGBT+ individuals can network, collaborate, and expand their skills alongside others who support them.
For entrepreneurs, Seen not only provides a safe working and development environment, it helps reduce obstacles faced by small business owners who can’t afford or qualify for traditional commercial leases, and gives a physical address required for vendor and supplier paperwork.
Seen provides a safe, affirming space to do business and meet with clients, plus it gives LGBT+ retailers and nontraditional professionals spaces in which to establish, operate, and grow their business while also gaining experience and exposure vital to their long-term success.
Seen will offer the usual amenities found in coworking spaces such as Raleigh Founded and WeWork, but takes it several steps further to help professionals and business owners get ahead and—ultimately—Seen. This unique coworking space will:
While the space targets the LGBT+ population, non-LGBT allies are also welcome to take advantage of the many amenities we will offer in this embracive, supportive space!
Seen will have a tremendous, ongoing impact on the community by:
The SEEN coworking community will provide shared and private office spaces, along with short-term lease retail spaces, with a range of lease options.
Among the planned amenities offered will be: