YOU'RE INVITED TO!
Hosted by Just BE + Donaji Mejia
We provide a monthly third space for Black, Indigenous, Women & Gender Expansive entrepreneurs of color to build community outside of home and work.
Through community-driven activities, teach-ins, and informal networking, participants form lasting relationships, share resources, and organize to create a more supportive environment for BIWOC entrepreneurs in the California Bay Area. This year, Just BE is evolving this pilot program to co-create monthly themes for each session via a democratic decision-making process among participants.
Location: Oakland - Understory AND Richmond - COBIZ (See the dates and locations below)
Every last Thursday of the month 5:30 pm - 8:30 pm
Check out the entire 2025 Kindred Connection Calendar to secure your spot each month
**No one turned away due to lack of funds! Please to email us at anyssa@martechniques.com if you need a free ticket.**
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Location: Merritt House 203 E 18th St. Oakland, CA 94606
Date: Feb. 27
Time: 5:30-8:30 pm
Transit/Parking Info: Merritt House is located on the east side of Lake Merritt as part of the Lucky’s Grocery Store area. There is ample free parking. However, we strongly advise that folks do not leave any items in their car to avoid any unwanted donations to the Oakland streets.
This location also has many AC Transit Bus Stops that connect to the nearest Lake Merritt BART Station.
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Location: COBIZ 1503 Macdonald Ave. Suite A, Richmond, CA 94801
Date: March 27
Time: 5:30-8:30 pm
Transit/Parking Info: We are also excited to partner with the Black-led co-working space and our headquarters, COBIZ, to host our Kindred Connections in North Bay. There is plenty of free street parking in the area, along with a BART parking structure that is also available for use. The Richmond BART station and central bus depot are also right across the street.
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Location: Understory 1419 34th Ave, Suite 121
Date: April 24
Time: 5:30-8:30 pm
Transit/Parking Info: We are excited to be partnering with Understory, a queer BIPOC cooperatively owned restaurant and community space in the heart of the Fruitvale Neighborhood of Oakland. There is free street parking after 6 pm. However, give yourself ample time to find an ideal parking spot in this busy area.
No car or want to avoid the parking extravaganza? No problem! The Fruitvale BART station and AC Transit bus stops are right across the street.
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Location: COBIZ 1503 Macdonald Ave. Suite A, Richmond, CA 94801
Date: May 29
Time: 5:30-8:30 pm
Transit/Parking Info: We are also excited to partner with the Black-led co-working space and our headquarters, COBIZ, to host our Kindred Connections in North Bay. There is plenty of free street parking in the area, along with a BART parking structure that is also available for use. The Richmond BART station and central bus depot are also right across the street.
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Location: Understory 1419 34th Ave, Suite 121
Date: June 26
Time: 5:30-8:30 pm
Transit/Parking Info: We are excited to be partnering with Understory, a queer BIPOC cooperatively owned restaurant and community space in the heart of the Fruitvale Neighborhood of Oakland. There is free street parking after 6 pm. However, give yourself ample time to find an ideal parking spot in this busy area.
No car or want to avoid the parking extravaganza? No problem! The Fruitvale BART station and AC Transit bus stops are right across the street.
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Location: COBIZ 1503 Macdonald Ave. Suite A, Richmond, CA 94801
Date: July 31
Time: 5:30-8:30 pm
Transit/Parking Info: We are also excited to partner with the Black-led co-working space and our headquarters, COBIZ, to host our Kindred Connections in North Bay. There is plenty of free street parking in the area, along with a BART parking structure that is also available for use. The Richmond BART station and central bus depot are also right across the street.
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Location: Understory 1419 34th Ave, Suite 121
Date: August 28
Time: 5:30-8:30 pm
Transit/Parking Info: We are excited to be partnering with Understory, a queer BIPOC cooperatively owned restaurant and community space in the heart of the Fruitvale Neighborhood of Oakland. There is free street parking after 6 pm. However, give yourself ample time to find an ideal parking spot in this busy area.
No car or want to avoid the parking extravaganza? No problem! The Fruitvale BART station and AC Transit bus stops are right across the street.
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Location: COBIZ 1503 Macdonald Ave. Suite A, Richmond, CA 94801
Date: September 25
Time: 5:30-8:30 pm
Transit/Parking Info: We are also excited to partner with the Black-led co-working space and our headquarters, COBIZ, to host our Kindred Connections in North Bay. There is plenty of free street parking in the area, along with a BART parking structure that is also available for use. The Richmond BART station and central bus depot are also right across the street.
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Location: Understory 1419 34th Ave, Suite 121
Date: October 30
Time: 5:30-8:30 pm
Transit/Parking Info: We are excited to be partnering with Understory, a queer BIPOC cooperatively owned restaurant and community space in the heart of the Fruitvale Neighborhood of Oakland. There is free street parking after 6 pm. However, give yourself ample time to find an ideal parking spot in this busy area.
No car or want to avoid the parking extravaganza? No problem! The Fruitvale BART station and AC Transit bus stops are right across the street.
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Location: Groundfloor 4055 Telegraph Ave, Oakland, CA 94609
Date: December 11
Time: 5:30-8:30 pm
Transit/Parking Info: More details to come
Meet New Friends
Meet new talented and passionate BIWOC entrepreneurs just like you who are committed to equity, justice, healing, and joy.
Heart to Heart
Connect with others who are also navigating the ups and downs of business development. You are not alone in this journey.
Lasting Connections
Develop a rooted business community that can support each other as clients, referal partners, and more, in the Bay Area.
FAQs
What this is not…
A stuffy, impersonal, networking event for people who like small talk, like to exchange business cards, talk about the weather, and/or solely be on the lookout for clients.
Who is this event for?
This is for BIWOC (Black, Indigenous, Women & Gender Expansive) entrepreneurs of color in the Bay Area.
What do we mean by the word “entrepreneur”?
Calling all small business owners, creatives, makers, artists, musicians, dancers, freelancers, coaches, therapists, consultants, strategists, lawyers, personal trainers, Founders, restaurant owners, etc. We define entrepreneur broadly as anyone making a living on their own; and responsible for their own and/or others’ paychecks.
What this event is!
If you're feeling the Zoom burnout like us and are craving real human connection, give your eyeballs a rest and join us!
Our vision for this monthly gathering is to be intentional about connection and say goodbye to the dreadful, traditional networking. This is for those who despise attending networking events and cringe at the idea of superficial small talk.
We're here to be real, make authentic human connections, encourage each other's visions and dreams, celebrate our growth, be of support, make new friends or collaborations, etc. There's no competition here!
This is all about building community with other badass, visionary, community-driven entrepreneurs who deeply care about the work they do and making a positive impact on the world.
How it works
We host Kindred Connections on the last Thursday of every month at one of our partner locations in either Oakland or Richmond, California
We know that many of us have been really struggling with social isolation, lack of motivation, depression, and overall disconnection since the COVID-19 pandemic. Our goal is to provide a consistent monthly space that you know you can count on each month for support amid the heavy social conditions we are all living within.
Each session will include informal relationship building and a monthly discussion topic or teach-in from a community member. We decide as a community what these topics will be at our first session in February. Topics that we may cover on any given month may include:
How to access health care as an entrepreneur
Navigating Mental health as a small business owner
Somatic healing practices for women of color entrepreneurs
Navigating gender-based violence or financial abuse as an entrepreneur
Navigating motherhood as an entrepreneurship
How to self-publish your own work
Know your rights and the rights of your immigrant team members
Ways to get involved in progressive local business initiatives
Updates on any new federal administration policies that impact BIWOCEs directly
Get a sense of the Kindred Connections vibes here.
About Our Co-Hosts
Donaji Mejia is a brand strategist and multi-disciplinary designer. Her specialty is transforming Black, Indigenous, and Women of Color small business visions into beautiful brands that reflect their values, passions, and roots. If you are looking to do a partial or full rebrand for your business, Donaji is the person to hit up.
Anyssa Mendoza is the founder of Martechniques and is committed to connecting the dots between community, creatives, education, technology, and marketing while focusing on building around the insidious systemic barriers that harm us. If you’re looking to discuss an omnichannel marketing strategy or collaborate on ways to uplift and build community, don’t hesitate to reach out to her!
Let’s grow our kinship >> Invite a friend!
If you know a BIWOC entrepreneur who'd love to come and make new connections, share this link with them so they learn more about it and get on the list to get the details 👉🏾 HERE.
What is your COVID-19 policy, how are you keeping folks safe?
We recognize that COVID is still at large, especially in the winter months.
Pre-Event COVID Testing
If you have been exposed to COVID, we ask that participants take an “at-home COVID test” 3 days prior to the gathering. Please take a picture of your negative test and bring it to our event as part of your registration. In the event that your test shows up positive for COVID-19, please review our refund policy below. We ask that you stay home and rest if you are exhibiting any symptoms of feeling unwell.
Mask Policy
The Holiday Play Day is an indoor event (as it will be cold outside). We will ensure windows are open for good circulation throughout the event, so an indoor coat or sweater may be a good idea to add to your wardrobe. At this time, wearing masks during the event is optional for participants. Keep an eye out for any changes to this policy via our event messages.
Community Communication Policy
We ask that all participants monitor their health post-event and reach out to the Just BE team at hello@justbecommunity.com to let us know if you develop COVID-19 symptoms or a positive diagnosis 3 - 5 days after the event. We will then inform the entire play day community of COVID-19 exposure.
Oh no, I reserved a ticket, but now I can’t attend. What do I do?
Full refunds are provided up to 3 days before the event. Just email hello@justbecommunity.com
For folks who experience a last-minute emergency, please reach out at the email above when you are safe, healthy, and able. We will credit your ticket toward the next Kindred Connection in 2024.