Get cozy with Homiey, Oakland’s black, LGBTQ-owned coworking and event space

When you think of coworking spaces in the SF Bay Area, the first thought that comes to mind is probably WeWork or other spaces that cater to heteronormative startup culture. Finding workspaces that are inclusive of LGBTQ and entrepreneurs of color is rare – even in Oakland.

Homiey Fruitvale, an affordable coworking and event space, hopes to fill that void.

Homiey co-founders Ebonie Cobb (she/her, they/them) and Amelia Vergel de Dios (she/her), partners in both business in life, started Homiey when Ebonie was in-between jobs almost a year ago. “They saw the opportunity and went for it,” says Ebonie.

Homiey is located in East Oakland’s Fruitvale district, one of the last remaining (relatively) ungentrified neighborhoods in the city. As entrepreneurs of color, both Ebonie and Amelia understand the depth of gentrification occurring in Oakland and support efforts to keep the local community close, doing so on their end by creating a dedicated space that is actually welcoming to folks in the neighborhood looking to work and connect.

Inside Homiey Fruitvale, art by Girl Mob

The entrepreneurial spirit that inspired Homiey runs deeply in the Cobb family. In 2016, Ebonie’s brother, Erryn, and sister-in-law, Mariah, started the first Homiey location in Chicago, where Ebonie is originally from. Homiey Chicago sits in the Humboldt Park neighborhood, historically known for its Puerto Rican roots and culture. 

It was during a 2019 visit from Ebonie’s brother and sister-in-law that Ebonie heard the call to open a similar business in Oakland – and she listened. When Ebonie stood in front of the vacant storefront on Fruitvale Avenue that would become Homiey, she knew it was the right space, while also realizing it would be the riskiest financial decision she would ever make. “The space is actually locally-owned,” says Ebonie. “Being in this location is a way of giving back and being about the local neighborhood community.” 

The word Homiey means your own. Ebonie’s vision was for Homiey to feel like home and be a space where one could safely focus on their work while feeling comfortable and being surrounded by community. 

January Queering Business in event at Homiey

Ebonie identifies the business as being black, queer-owned. During it’s conception, she experienced firsthand the many challenges of finding funding and investment as a person of color.  “Having to look to outside investors, specifically for black women entrepreneurs, was and still feels impossible.”

Ebonie and Amelia met four years ago in the South Bay. Amelia, a Filipino youth activist and South Bay Area-born, plays a key role in Homiey’s day-to-day operations. “I am more of the creative dreamer with all the ideas,” says Ebonie, “Amelia puts together all the details to make it happen.” In response to the interchanging challenges of working together as a queer couple, they had to set boundaries early on between work, home, and the business. Today, they have found a great dynamic as partners and business owners, sharing passion for Homiey’s mission to create a comfortable, inclusive working environment for the community. 

The pair’s larger goal is to have a bigger event space in Oakland and to open in more cities.

To support Homiey during Shelter in Place orders, consider purchasing a gift card. To learn more about Homiey Fruitvale, visit their website or Instagram