Empowering Black Creatives: Stephanie Morales and the Vision of Made Space
Photos by Victor Jones
Recently, Stephanie Morales stopped by The Day With Trae, hosted this week by Besa Gordon, to discuss the importance of holding Black spaces. Morales is the founder of Made Space, an innovative Art, Culture, and Business Hub that launched in early 2021.
Made Space aims to connect emerging Black creatives and entrepreneurs with essential resources, space, knowledge, and visibility.
Morales has been learning the importance of analyzing data while growing her business. She realized that understanding finances and capacity is crucial. Morales emphasized that beyond creating Made Space, sustainability is key. By examining her numbers, she recognized that the current model wasn't sustainable and that she would need to make a decision within a few months about whether she could keep the space open.
"I will have to make a decision in a couple of months if it continues like this, whether I can even keep the space open," Morales said. "I told myself, before it gets to the most dire point, I'm going to be vulnerable and tell people, 'Hey, this is what's going on. If you really care about the space and have used it or if it's been important to you in some way, I need your support.' And that support can look like anything. There are a number of ways that can happen. So, I just want to be transparent."
Since Morales put out the call to action, she has been overwhelmed by the community's response.
"People have shown up in every way possible," Morales said. "I mean, not just financial support, but really some of the most touching and meaningful acts. People have reached out with different resources, various programs that I didn't know about, or by booking the space and volunteering time or services."
Morales outlined three main ways to support Made Space and help sustain it as a Black-owned community hub. First, interested individuals can visit the Made Space website. There, they can subscribe to the monthly newsletter to stay updated on events, initiatives, and opportunities to contribute.
Second, visitors are encouraged to share their experiences at Made Space through the testimonials section on the website. This feedback not only highlights the impact of the space but also strengthens its narrative when seeking additional support.
Finally, supporters can click on the "Support the Mission" tab on the website. This section offers various options such as joining Patreon, making direct donations, purchasing merchandise like hoodies and sweaters, or accessing an Amazon wishlist for essential items that enhance the space's accessibility and support renters. These contributions are crucial for ensuring Made Space remains a thriving and supportive environment.
“Made Space is essentially an arts, culture, and business community hub right in the heart of the Central District on 20th and Union,” Morales said. “It serves as a space where the community can come in and engage in a variety of activities, from classes and art shows to financial literacy sessions. It’s a classroom, an art space, a community meeting space—just a space for everyone to come in and do what they need to do, and for the community to hold that.”
Made Space stemmed from Morales' experiences as an artist. She often felt unwelcome in galleries and encountered skepticism when trying to host events. People frequently questioned her about the attendees and the type of music being played. However, after the events were successful, they would express enthusiasm and propose partnerships. This led Morales to realize the need for her own space.
"I need to have a space not just for myself, but for other people to feel like they're not going to be questioned about who they are or what they're doing," Morales said. "They’re not going to be looked at with cynicism, and they can actually flourish. I want to really support them beyond just whatever we can get out of it, which is what I was feeling."
The space offers a versatile environment that accommodates a wide range of activities and events, including business pop-ups, markets, wellness and healing events, financial literacy sessions, private parties, organizational retreats, and film screenings. It serves as a creative canvas where various community-driven initiatives and gatherings can thrive.
"If you've got an event, I'm going to share it with our audience. I'll put it on our calendar and spread the word. Because I want both of us to succeed in this situation. I don't just see it as a rental," Morales said.
To learn more about Made Space or to support the community call to action, visit madespaceseattle.com.
For more on local buisnesses in Seattle, tune into Besa on Back2Besa on FOX 13, Thursday at 8:15 am, and with Trae every weekday at 11 a.m. on all Converge Media platforms and The Day With Trae YouTube Channel.
