While June may mark the middle of the year, there’s only so much room to stress about what you’ve accomplished in the first 6 months of the year when it’s also Pride Month. Pride Month is a celebration of the LGBTQ+ community, symbolizing a rich history of resilience, identity, and the ongoing fight for equality. As a queer owned & operated business dedicated to offering a space where all feel supported in their work, this month hits particularly close for us. At Stoke, our values - authenticity, connection, creativity, inclusivity, and learning - are at the forefront of everything we do. We've had the joy of helping LGBTQ+ businesses thrive through our programs and love getting involved in local Pride events. As we continue to build a diverse and inclusive community, we’ll stay committed to creating a safe workspace for all.
Born This Way
Stoke was founded in 2016 with a vision of creativity and community; a space where innovation is cultivated, together. When Heather Gregory (she/her) entered the picture as our Executive Director, she expanded on that vision by establishing a mission rooted in inclusivity and the values that guide what we do here. Her leadership has profoundly impacted Stoke's culture, creating a truly inviting environment for all.
“When establishing our values for Stoke, inclusivity and authenticity were incredibly important to me. As a queer business owner, I want to ensure that myself, my team, and our community can show up in our space as their authentic selves.” commented Heather Gregory when discussing Pride and Stoke. “It is vital to me that our coworking space be a safe, affirming, and welcoming space for everyone. Whether businesses are queer-owned and operated like Stoke or owned and operated by allies, it is integral that we show the LGBTQ+ community that there are spaces that support and validate all queer identities.”
A Friend of Stoke
We are proud to offer programs like AccelerateHER, an incubator dedicated to empowering women-owned businesses, and the Denton Pitch Competition, a Shark Tank-style pitch event where Denton-based entrepreneurs compete for cash prizes to assist in their business growth. These key initiatives provide invaluable opportunities for a diverse range of entrepreneurs, including women, queer individuals, and people of color. By supporting diverse voices and ideas, we help foster innovation and inclusivity, ensuring that all members of our community have the resources and support they need to flourish. Through our programming, we’ve had the honor of working with local queer entrepreneurs, such as Katherine Waddell (she/they) of Faul Magic and Lois Robertson (she/her) + Betz Baker (they/them) of Triptych Coffee Co., as they evolved as business owners.
Katherine Waddell
Faul Magic, a queer and disabled entrepreneur, was one of seven women-identifying entrepreneurs selected as part of the fourth cohort in the AccelerateHER incubator program. Through their time in the program, they were able to evaluate their business and find new joy from their work. In their cohort story, you can read about how they felt supported through the program and the community they found there. Their involvement in the Entrepreneurs' Expo in November highlighted their journey, showcasing their resilience and success as part of our community. Katherine’s story is a testament to the supportive environment at Stoke, where entrepreneurs are welcomed as their authentic selves and their stories supported. Katherine has become a friendly face in the Stoke community so you’re likely to see them at our events. You can also visit their website for information on the services they offer and to buy cute stickers.
Betz + Lois, Triptych Coffee Co. @ FlintConf, photo taken by Will Milne
We also are pleased to call Triptych Coffee Co., a queer and woman-owned mobile coffee company, a friend of Stoke. They participated in the 2023 Denton Pitch Competition, where they took home third place and $2,000 after less than a year in business. Within months of starting their business, both Lois and Betz were able to start working full time and they’ve found a home at True Leaf Studio. We love having them pop-up at Stoke to caffeinate the coworking masses and their presence at FlintConf in May highlights their ongoing journey as entrepreneurs. It’s always nice to see how excited our members are when Triptych pops up in the space and if you visit them at True Leaf on Saturdays, you’re likely to see some familiar faces. Lois and Betz are inspiring and have a way of making it feel as though you’re visiting a friend who just made you a coffee. It’s an honor to have been a part of their story.
Out Loud
Stoke @ Pridenton's Pride Night Out 2024
While we are always hosting events of our own and offering an array of diverse programs, it’s just as important to us that we support other community events and programs. The last two years we’ve had so much fun at Pridenton’s Pride Out event. Pridenton is a local nonprofit that hosts events throughout the month of June to provide a space for all LGBTQ+ folks and Allies to celebrate the beautiful diversity within our communities. These events are more than celebrations; they are affirmations of a commitment to inclusivity and connection. As always, it’s a pleasure to get to be a part of these events and to be surrounded by so much love. We look forward to doing it again next year.
As Pride month comes to a close, we want to emphasize that our commitment to inclusivity and authenticity extends beyond June. These values are the foundation of our community year-round. A heartfelt thank you to our members and supporters for making Stoke a welcoming space and here’s to continuing to uplift and support one another.
