BrickRose Exchange

We provide a space for social impact entrepreneurs, community organizations, and residents in Baltimore. 

WHY

The BrickRose Exchange is an event space designed for social impact entrepreneurs, community organizers, and residents in Baltimore where they can  test their products and services without entering into long-term lease agreements, learn new skills and information from others who have succeeded and failed in their endeavors, and discuss issues affecting the community and how to take action.
 

The core of our business model is to offset the continued impact of a strong economy and the real estate impacts to our communities.  As development continues in cities across America, local businesses, organizations (profit and non-profit alike), and residents are often left behind and forgotten. The culminating effect is that these groups are usually priced out and pushed out of our neighborhoods.
 

We believe in the balance of commerce, community, and culture like a triangle with each of these values sitting at one point. This physical space will serve as a response to gentrification. It is essential to build a dynamic network of members, partners, and sponsors who want to see cities like Baltimore thrive.

HOW

We will provide an ecosystem of online and offline tools and resources to help our members take back their neighborhoods and preserve their culture through professional and personal development and networking. 

BrickRose Exchange is a 900 square foot space for pop-up shops, professional and personal events, and community meetings in Canton. We offer services that make it easy for people to be change agents who transform the entities they lead.

The floorplans and photographs are representative of the space; the renderings are suggestive of improvements.

WHY CANTON?

It is time to bring back culture to this neighborhood. In the 2000s, the long-standing copper industry moved out and the boom of new development bought housing and marinas along the waterfront.  According to 2010 Census data, the racial makeup of Canton was 90.8% White, 3.9% African American, 0.1% Native American, 2.3% Asian, 1.0% from other races, and 2.0% from two or more races. 

We are creating a physical space where you can collaborate, connect, and do business with other like-minded people. 

The foyer space will serve programming such as:

- Training and workshops

- Meetings

- Pop-up shops

- Cultural, educational, and social events

A portion of this back-end space will be used to build a private, closed-door conference room, storage room, and an on-site attendant office. 

The entire floor will be ADA-compliant to ensure all have access to and can navigate freely throughout the space.  

We think about our purpose in three ways:

1. Offer valuable services and resources that help members move the needle in their business entities and community to do something impactful.
2. Include diversity partners and supporters in the ecosystem, while ensuring they see a return on their investment.
3. Be a beacon of hope for those that strive to bring various stakeholders together to build and maintain meaningful relationships.

MEMBERSHIP

A SEAT AT THE TABLE MEMBERSHIP ($100/annual)

We are offering 125 founding memberships at $100 per year or a 50% discount off the normal annual rate of $200. Once founding memberships are gone, standard memberships will cost $200 per year.

This membership is for people and organizations in the Baltimore city and county area, as well as groups who want to hold events, do business in the city, or access a hub of valuable information in one place from anywhere in the world.

SCHOLARSHIP MODEL 

We believe in philanthropy and giving people opportunities to improve their lives. Our 5-for-1 scholarship model will grant free membership to people in the community who meets specific socioeconomic needs. For every five paid members, we will fund one full scholarship.

SPECIFICS OF MEMBERSHIP

Founding memberships provides complete access to all programming scheduled by BrickRose staff; including a content calendar with 16+ events featuring a mix of professional coaching and training workshops, cultural, educational, and social events, as well as, seasonal themed-mixers.

In addition, members can:

- rent event space

- attend other members' events

- access funding information such as pitch competitions, grants, and loans

- access partner and sponsor discounted content

- access membership database

- influence programming and suggest speakers

- be promoted on the BrickRose Exchange network

BrickRose Exchange offers services that make it easier for its members to stay connected with the community. We have designed our services around the resources we wish we had during the start-up phases of our businesses and in our careers. 

We offer a rich calendar of programming and events featuring members, partners, supporters, and invited guests. Learning opportunities for personal and professional growth include:

• Professional coaching and training workshops: programming content will cover topics as wide and diverse as Pitching 101: Get the Bag!, Food Etiquette for Aspiring Moguls, Fundraising, Get Paid to Speak, and How to Tell Better Stories in Your Marketing.
• Cultural, educational, and social events. Topics covered include: virtual/augmented reality and other emerging technologies, open mic, arts, music, film documentaries, discussions, etc. Ideas include Back In My Day, a storytime series with Baltimore's oldest residents and Squeegee Boys: From Street Hustler to Modern Entrepreneur, a mindset-shifting workshop.
• Seasonal themed-mixers sponsored by partners and sponsors designed to help members grow their professional network.
• Access to other members' events (*any cost is set by the member host): pop-up shops, signature events, and community meetings.
• Access to information about funding resources such as pitch competitions, grants, and loans.
• Access to partner and sponsor content e.g. private classes and content with our partners and sponsors for a discounted rate.
• Access to BrickRose Exchange Network: find professional and personal connections to grow.
• Opportunity to influence programming: give feedback and nominate speakers for events and training.
• Access to resources and tools. For instance, add your podcast, YouTube channel, and IG TV channel to the BrickRose Exchange Network (coming 2019), a hub to highlight communication channels of members.

This has been an exciting endeavor to take on. The opportunity of securing the location and starting this effort has not been a walk in the park. We are so proud of the work we have done in our respective careers and businesses. Now, it is time to pool our expertise and resources together to fulfill a bigger purpose. 

We just need your help. 

Brickhouse Exchange is built on the foundation of commerce, community, and culture. And, it only makes to rally people who want to take an active role in standing up for local businesses, organizations, and residents who work and live in Baltimore.

The money raised through this iFundWomen campaign will be used to open BrickRose Exchange, fund the interior and exterior renovations, and set up the needed systems and tools to manage the space, membership, and online training material.  
 

The power of BrickRose Exchange lies with the community, so we decided to turn to a platform like iFundWomen to get the job done.

BrickRose Exchange was founded by two women. We are Bianca J. Jackson, a digital marketing and tech entrepreneur, and Lynne Goines, a food entrepreneur, fundraising and event planning expert. 
 

We both come with a background in corporate America; however,  we realized that the world we were trying to make a difference in was not built for everyday people, and we decided it was time to build a new one. We are driven by a cause more substantial than us as individuals – we are driven by creating a space that will impact lives today and generations to come.
 

CONTRIBUTE.

By supporting this campaign, you’re not only helping us open the doors, but you’re also helping social impact entrepreneurs, community organizers, and residents who are motivated by a passion to see the city of Baltimore thrive.

 SHARE.

Help turn this into a movement by spreading the word. Whether it’s by email, social media, or carrier pigeon, your voice will go a long way. Please share this campaign with the official hashtag #BaltimoreSpaceForAll.

 JOIN.

Follow us on Instagram at BrickRoseExchange or sign up for our email list.

We are committed to this work. Together, we can provide a platform for communities to be heard and not be left behind. You, too, can be a part of something bigger than yourself.

Thank you so much for contributing and sharing #BaltimoreSpaceForAll campaign.

Your support is greatly appreciated so we can continue to serve and support the community, organizations, and projects.
 

* Special thanks to Sy Cabodevilla for designing the BrickRose Exchange logo and brand guidelines and to BrandMarket Pro for designing the BrickRose Exchange website.

In gratitude,

BrickRose team, advisors, and future members