Become a
Co-Steward!
You've been building alone long enough.
Just BE Co-Stewardship is for BIWOC entrepreneurs who are ready to stop doing it solo — and start building something that belongs to all of us.
The isolation isn't personal failure. It's a structural gap.
of women-of-color entrepreneurs run their businesses completely alone — no employees, no co-founders, no built-in support system. Just your vision and everything that comes with it.
Entrepreneurs are approximately 50% more likely to report having depression, anxiety, and burnout compared to the general population.
And the data is clear: isolation contributes to mental health conditions. The system was never designed for us.
But here's what the research also shows:
Business owners in peer communities are more likely to survive past five years.
Entrepreneurs with strong networks generate more revenue through collaboration and referrals.
Community connection directly reduces burnout, anxiety, and isolation.
Peer accountability leads to faster, better business decisions.
Successful entrepreneurs don't just have more talent or hustle. They have people. They have a space that holds them.
That's what Just BE is building — and we need you to help us build it.
This isn't a subscription. It's co-ownership.
Most memberships give you access. Co-stewardship gives you a stake.
As a Just BE Co-Steward, you're not just joining a community — you're helping govern and grow it. You shape our programming, hold a voice in our long-term vision, and invest in something you'll eventually co-own.
We’re growing a cooperatively owned future, and it begins with those who can see its promise before it’s fully realized.
What You Get as a Founding Co-Steward
I Belong Here — Access
- A 24/7 community hub on Mighty Networks where real conversation, collaboration, and civic engagement happen daily.
- Monthly Problem-Solving Circle virtual — bring a real business challenge, leave with traction.
- Somatic healing resources, tools, and session replays to support your whole self — not just your business.
- A monthly Co-Steward Digest: curated resources, ecosystem opportunities, and community updates.
- Priority access + discounts to all Just BE programs, events, and pilots — always before the public.
I Have a Stake in This — Ownership + Voice
- Vote on annual program themes — your input directly shapes what we build each year.
- A seat at the table on Just BE's 5-year vision through quarterly member assemblies and surveys.
- First consideration for paid opportunities within the Just BE network — consulting, facilitation, and more.
- Your name on the Founding Co-Stewards recognition list on our website.
- Early stake in the cooperatively owned maker + housing space we're building toward in Oakland.
What You Unlock as a Co-Steward
Your membership gives you access to Just BE's full ecosystem of programs — all designed to support your business, your healing, and your community.
Kindred Connections
Monthly third-space gathering in Oakland and Richmond, CA, for BIWOC entrepreneurs and their families to connect, recharge, and build community beyond home and work.
Radical Rest Series
Quarterly healing spaces in partnership with Soul Flow Oakland — yoga, dance, and acupuncture sessions designed to help self-employed women decompress and build relational capacity.
COBIZY Women
Free coworking and lunch day for women of color entrepreneurs and their families, hosted in partnership with COBIZ, a Black-led coworking space in Richmond, CA.
Somatic Coaching
10 sessions of 1-on-1 somatic coaching for self-employed women of color — a path to embodying new ways of being that combat stress, trauma, and burnout.
We're not just building a community. We're building toward ownership.
Every dollar you invest as a co-steward moves us closer to something bigger: a cooperatively owned, housing + maker space in the Bay Area — a physical home designed by and for BIWOC entrepreneurs to build, create, heal, and thrive.
Not rented. Not borrowed. Owned by our community.
This is cooperative economics in practice. And it starts with the 30 of us who say yes first.
Our Thank You For Believing in the Vision before it’s fully realized.
We're inviting the first 30 co-stewards in at a founding rate — our thank-you for believing before it's fully built.
Scholarships and work-trade are available for those who need it. Reach out to hello@justbecommunity.com.
Ready to co-steward? Here's your next step.
Already part of the Just BE community?
If you've attended a Kindred Connection, Radical Rest, COBIZY Women, or any Just BE program or event — welcome home. You already know what this community is about.
- Make your first payment below.
- Complete your intake form.
- Receive your welcome kit + community access.
New to Just BE or joining from outside California?
We'd love to meet you first. Complete your intake form and we'll set up a call to learn more about you, answer your questions, and make sure co-stewardship feels like a genuine fit.
- Complete the intake form.
- We'll schedule a welcome call.
- Join when you're ready.
We intentionally take a high-touch approach to welcoming new co-stewards — especially folks we haven't yet had the chance to meet. We want you to feel genuinely seen, connected, and clear about what you're stepping into before you step in.
“Just BE has been integral to my entrepreneurship journey because simply put, the team and the community has been there from the beginning. They have seen me grow, cheered me on, and supported me like only Black women can.”
— Brittany Luby, Owner, Hey Ma Creative
Questions? We've Got You.
Who is eligible to become a co-steward?
Any Black, Indigenous, or Woman of Color entrepreneur — cis, trans, and non-binary — at any business stage and industry. We especially welcome creative and social good businesses. You don't need to be based in the Bay Area to join our online community, though some in-person programs are held in Oakland and Richmond, CA.
Why is Just BE moving to a membership model?
Nonprofits have historically relied on philanthropy and grants to sustain their work — but that funding landscape is increasingly unstable, especially for organizations serving BIWOC communities. Relying on grants alone means our survival is tied to the priorities of foundations, not our own community.
The Co-Stewardship model is our answer to that. When our members invest in Just BE, we become accountable to each other — not to a grant cycle. Your membership directly funds our programming, our staff, and our long-term vision for a cooperatively owned space. This is how we build something that lasts.
What does “co-stewardship” mean — isn't it just a membership?
Most memberships give you access. Co-stewardship gives you a stake. As a co-steward, you have a real voice in shaping Just BE: you vote on annual program themes, participate in member assemblies, and hold an early stake in the cooperative space we're building toward. We chose the word “co-steward” intentionally — because we believe community ownership is the path to long-term sustainability, for us and for you.
What do you mean by co-ownership? Isn’t Just BE a nonprofit?
Yes, Just BE is currently a fiscally sponsored project of Tides Center. When we talk about co-ownership, we are naming our long-term vision: to create a community-rooted structure where members can help steward and shape shared assets, including a future housing and maker space.
As this vision grows, Just BE may need to evolve into a different legal structure that better supports community ownership and shared stewardship. If that means eventually transitioning out of Tides, we will do so thoughtfully, with Tides’ support, guidance, and technical assistance.
For now, co-ownership is both a vision and a design principle: we are building toward a future where the people most connected to this work have a meaningful role in shaping and sustaining it.
What's included in the membership?
As a co-steward, you get:
- 24/7 access to our Mighty Networks online community hub
- Monthly Problem-Solving Circle virtual
- Somatic healing resources, tools, and session replays
- Monthly Co-Steward Digest with resources and opportunities
- Priority access + discounts to all Just BE programs and events
- Voting rights on annual program themes
- Participation in quarterly member assemblies + the 5-year vision process
- First consideration for paid opportunities in the Just BE network
- Recognition as a Founding Co-Steward on our website
- Early stake in our cooperatively owned maker + housing space in development
How much does it cost?
Our founding co-steward rate is $75/month for the first 30 members. After that, the rate moves to $93/month. Annual payment options are also available.
Scholarships and work trade are available for those who need them. Email hello@justbecommunity.com to discuss options.
Why the founding rate? What happens after 30 members?
The founding rate is our way of honoring the people who invest early — before the community is fully built. Early co-stewards take on more risk and more faith, and we want to recognize that. Once we reach 30 founding co-stewards, the rate moves to $93/month for all new members. Founding co-stewards keep their rate as long as their membership stays active.
How do I join?
It depends on your relationship with Just BE — and we want to make sure you're in the right flow.
If you've already attended a Just BE gathering or program — Kindred Connections, Radical Rest, COBIZY Women, Somatic Coaching, or any event — you can go straight to payment. Click “Make Your First Payment,” then complete your intake form. Your welcome kit and community access will follow.
If you're new to Just BE or joining from outside California, we ask that you complete the intake form first. From there, we'll set up a welcome call to learn more about you, answer your questions, and make sure co-stewardship feels like a great fit before you commit.
Either way, we take a high-touch approach to onboarding — we want you to feel genuinely welcomed and connected from day one.
Is there a trial period?
We don't offer a trial period at this time. Because our model is built on deep, reciprocal community — not transactional access — we invest significantly in welcoming and integrating each co-steward. That said, if you're new to Just BE, we encourage you to come to a free Kindred Connections event or COBIZY Women gathering first to experience the community before joining.
Where does the community actually live?
Online, our community lives on Mighty Networks — a private platform for ongoing conversations, resource sharing, and connection between members. In-person programs, including Kindred Connections, COBIZY Women, and Radical Rest, are held in Oakland and Richmond, CA.
Can I cancel at any time?
Yes. You can cancel your membership at any time and will retain access through the end of your current billing cycle.
I have more questions. How do I reach you?
Email us at hello@justbecommunity.com. We're a small team and we read every message.
You've been building alone long enough.
Join us as a founding co-steward and help build intergenerational economic sovereignty for BIWOC entrepreneurs — in the Bay and beyond.
$75/month · First 30 spots only · Scholarships available