Meet Wesley Alexander | CEO of CoBiz Richmond, Inc.

We had the good fortune of connecting with Wesley Alexander and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Wesley, what is the most important factor behind your success?
The most important factor behind my success is knowing and owning my purpose as a man, as a brutha, and as a human being. I am called to help people actualize their vision into personal and professional success, especially for individuals from under-resourced, under-invested communities. I move in my truth which grounds me because I understand my why; therefore, when challenges appear, those challenges do not faze me. I am focused on the vision, not the day-to-day things that arise. I simply move with joy and appreciation, on good days and not so great days.

What should our readers know about your business?
CoBiz Richmond, a 501(c)(3), is a disruptive, black-led, 9,000 square foot co-working space in the heart of Downtown Richmond, CA with a mission to eradicate the debilitating effects of poverty, inequity, and marginalization on under-resourced communities. By creating a modern, welcoming space for diverse entrepreneurs, professionals, creatives, students, & elders to convene, work, learn, collaborate, & most importantly, come as they are, we are activating people, organizations, and communities into wellness – entrepreneurially, personally, & professionally. Such a resource did not previously exist in Richmond due to the poverty pimps, gatekeepers, racism, and redlining – systemic and intentional acts designed to keep people and resources a part.

As for challenges, we launched CoBiz in November 2019 and were unfortunately ravaged by the pandemic in a manner that truly threatened to permanently close the doors of CoBiz. Such a threat was jarring considering the efforts of my team and I to establish CoBiz as an authentic resource for Richmond and the surrounding communities. With the help of my team, I tackled the threat head on by 1) trusting the vision for CoBiz, 2) finding innovative ways to serve the community and the businesses we serve via our programs and services, 3) launching our business incubator, and 4) leading by example, which helped us establish our brand. In business, one must always adapt and move with a solution-oriented mindset, no matter the circumstances. Without question, it was not easy but with faith and purpose, all things can be navigated and overcame.

With that said, CoBiz has transformed lives, businesses, mindsets, and possibilities during a pandemic in an area that traditionally is exploited, marginalized, overlooked, stigmatized, and manipulated. Additionally, CoBiz has the unique opportunity to bring the youth, entrepreneurs, young professionals, returning citizens, and the elders together, in a safe space, to chase their dreams and to connect with each other.

To close, I would like the world to support organizations like CoBiz who are doing the real work – we are not caught up in our egos but solely focused on promoting wellness and community via entrepreneurship, social capital, and access to space and resources. Feel free to visit our website to learn more and to donate if moved.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
A Few cool things to around the Richmond Area 1) Rich City Rides to rent or buy a bike and visit their art exhibit
2) Pinole Park or Wildcat Canyon Regional Park for a good trail ride
3) The Urb Shop to restore with herbs
4) Get a Smoothie at Natrully Herbs
5) Get a bite at Snapper Seafood or Golden Gate Bistro
6) Visit Rosie the Riveter Museum
7) Check out some flowers, plants and horticulture at Annie’s Annuals & Perennials
8) Visit 23rd Street to experience the LatinX food and culture
9) Visit Parchester Village – a planned majority African-American village in northwestern Richmond, California that was the first in the state to sell to blacks.
10) Visit East Brother’s Light House for a unique bread and breakfast experience
11) Enjoy the BEST Quesabirrias at El Garage
12) Experience the Art of the African Diaspora exhibit

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Simply, I want to thank my parents for instilling work ethic, discipline, values, and purpose into me. I never questioned their intentions toward me, their expectations of me, their disciplining of me, their sacrifices for me, their love of me. I appreciate them for: 1) playing the empowering music of Bob Marley and The Mighty Sparrow, 2) instilling knowledge of my history and my roots; 3) teaching me to critically think; and 4) teaching me to move through the world as I am without compromising myself to make anyone comfortable. I want to also thank my team at CoBiz Richmond – Caleb, La Marla, Christina and Sara who each and every day embrace the challenges of bringing an innovative resource into the community where gatekeepers and poverty pimps do their best everyday to maintain the status quo – a status quo we proudly challenge. Lastly, thank you to the trailblazers of all backgrounds from the past to the present who refused to accept being marginalized or dehumanized.

Website: www.cobizrichmond.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cobizrichmond/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/cobiz-richmond/

Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/richmondcobiz

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cobizrichmond

Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/cobiz-richmond-richmond

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCiXZxLcqj7FipzzRPAjW3Vg