GCUC is the Global Coworking Unconference community that has been at the forefront of the coworking movement since 2012, connecting thousands of operators both in person and online. Liz Elam, Founder and Chief Connector of GCUC, spoke with Citi Medina, the founder of EqualSpace (aka =Space) for the GCUC Podcast.
As a Coworks customer, I planned on spotlighting Medina and the =Space story, but Elam did an amazing job with this conversation — almost too good!
Rather than reinvent the wheel and be redundant with Medina’s valuable time, I got a blessing from them both to pull out highlights of the interview here on our blog.
Do not miss the full interview. Check it out here.
Elam began the conversation by asking Medina how he was doing — not as a business owner, but as a human being. Medina’s response was filled with warmth and positivity. “As a human being today, I'm doing really well. I'm running on time, which is always a good indicator that life is well. My latest addition to my puppy family, a rescue pit named Carter, is happy. So overall, I'm in great spirits. Plus, I get to spend time with you, so it's shaping up to be a great day,” he shared.
Elam had reached out to Medina to congratulate him on a successful funding round that received great press. Medina’s humble response revealed a deeper story. “I've been around for 10 years,” he said, prompting Elam to delve deeper into such a significant player in the coworking world whose story hadn’t been told within the industry.
Medina’s journey into coworking was driven by a need to address obstacles he encountered as an Afro-Latinx and queer entrepreneur. Fourteen years ago, he moved to Newark, New Jersey to collaborate with the city's administration. With more commercial space than needed for his creative agency, he began to offer programming to build awareness and integrate into the community. “We were doing art and tech activations for free, just to become part of the city and grow our ecosystems organically,” he explained.
As outside demand for their office space grew, Medina and his co-founder realized they needed to build something more intentional, and less happenstance. “We had been part of various coworking spaces but didn't always feel welcomed,” Medina said. This led to the creation of =Space, which stands for equal space and opportunity for all.
Their community-focused approach involves meeting biweekly with every member to offer support and affirmation — a cadence that floored Elam when she heard it. “Anyone can design a beautiful space, but how do you pour into that space to make it come alive with humans in it?” he asked.
Elam, who has visited thousands of coworking spaces, was struck by =Space’s unique approach. She emphasized the importance of making members feel appreciated and acknowledged. Medina agreed, highlighting that feeling seen and affirmed is why members chose =Space. “We’re not just culturally competent — we’re culturally celebratory. Our space reflects diversity through art, music, and local snacks,” he noted.
Medina’s enthusiasm for his team was evident. Elam mentioned a photo that looked like an album cover. Medina laughed, “We look like we’re about to drop a mixtape. That’s the camp, and we really enjoy each other.”
One of the significant milestones for =Space was a partnership with Audible. As producers of Newark Tech Week and Small Business Week, they had built a strong relationship with Audible, leading to the creation of the New Business Attraction Program.
“They provided $250,000 in non-dilutive capital, $500 living stipends for each team member, and $250 local stipends,” Medina detailed. This partnership helped them establish a new 50,000-square-foot campus, ES 550, focused on tech and innovation with an equity lens.
Elam praised the collaboration, noting how exciting it is to see corporations investing in local communities. Medina acknowledged the importance of partnerships with entities like Wells Fargo Foundation and Prudential Foundation, which shift people’s perspectives on the work being done.
With her previous experience at Dell, Elam recognized Newark’s strong corporate presence. She wondered if hybrid work trends would bring corporate teams to =Space. Medina confirmed they already have corporate members like the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, and United Airlines consistently books their space. “We provide them their own branding experience while integrating them into our amenities and culture,” he said.
When asked about future plans, Medina reflected on the importance of self-examination. “With the visibility of our work, I think every major city needs an =Space. We help diverse founders break generational curses and build wealth by giving them access to opportunities,” he said. As a black-owned business, that especially resonates with us at Coworks. Medina emphasized the need for a year of listening before envisioning new locations, to ensure each =Space is tailored to the community it serves.
Elam noted Newark’s resurgence, which Medina attributed to wise urban development and investment in homegrown talent. He highlighted the support from Newark’s mayor, Ras Baraka, and the NJ EDA, which awarded =Space a $2 million grant to build their campus. “This shows real investment in action,” he said.
Medina shared that they bootstrapped the first phase of =Space out of their creative agency. For the second phase, they covered pre-development and development costs but are raising funds to keep operational costs low and prices accessible. “We want our space to be economically accessible to the local community,” he stressed.
Elam, impressed by Medina’s extensive support for his members, asked a unique question for a B2B interview: how does he maintain his own mental health? Medina welcomed the question and generously shared his routine of journaling, working out, and meditating daily, along with therapy. “Therapy has been crucial for processing and venting,” he said. Elam agreed, emphasizing the importance of her own self-care routines. She wrapped up the interview just as she started it: emphasizing the human experience.
Elam expressed excitement about future collaborations and following Medina’s journey. “Be sure to follow Medina and =Space, and if you can help them on their journey, reach out,” she urged. Medina’s story is a testament to the power of community, connection, and intentionality in coworking.
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