Coworking spaces are popping up around the country to serve different niches of business owners, creatives and everything else in between. These alternative offices are helping entrepreneurs build their networks and grow their businesses, but founders of color are finding that some of these spaces lack inclusivity. Naj Austin saw a void in her Brooklyn neighborhood: There were no spaces that specifically targeted people of color and the businesses they were building. She made it her mission to fill that gap. Austin built Ethel’s Club, a social club for people of color that serves as a personal and professional haven for minority business owners. It joins a host of other social clubs opening in New York City, but it is one of the few completely dedicated to fostering an environment for founders across various racial and ethnic backgrounds. Photo: Ethel’s Club According to a report by AllWork , coworking spaces accounted for nearly ten percent of leasing volume in New York during the...

The Wing, the popular co-working space dedicated to women, has changed it’s membership rules to include all genders, Business Insider Reported. In September, The Wing was sued for gender discrimination by 53-year old, James E. Pietrangelo, after he was allegedly told that his application into the co-working space would be denied “because he is a man.” Pietrangelo is suing The Wing for possibly up to $12 million. The lawsuit is still ongoing; however, the company’s lawyers have responded to Pietrangelo’s claims stating that he is not committed to The Wing’s mission. The company submitted Pietrangelo’s application responses in a subsequent filing where he stated, “I have always supported and advocated for the equality of all people” when asked how he has promoted and supported the advancement of women. In March 2018, the New York Human Rights Commission began an investigation into The Wing , citing possible discriminatory membership practices. The investigation is still ongoing. The...